Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus leaves the studio
The current Ford Taurus is a safe and reliable vehicle with plenty of space for a family of five. The Taurus is also completely invisible in the large car market, due mostly to its vanilla appearance. The Blue Oval is hoping to correct this issue with the next generation Taurus, which is due in 2010. We've already seen a blurry photo of a handsome clay model back in April, and now the future Ford flagship has been spied on the street as well. Spies have caught a well-camo'd Taurus mule undergoing testing on public roads, with a new grille and modern-looking headlights that are exactly like the model we saw earlier in the year. The test vehicle also displays the same basic shape as the model we showed you back in the spring, which carries a more subdued version of Ford of Europe's Kinetic design theme. Gone is the odd-looking bulbous greenhouse from the current model, giving the future Taurus a more modern appearance.
According to MotorTrend, front- and all-wheel-drive variants will be available, and power will be provided the new EcoBoost engines, with a possible SHO revival packing the same turbocharged mill found in the Lincoln MKR concept.
[Source: MotorTrend Photo: Priddy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jay 12:11PM (7/10/2008)
MT quote
"spy photos of an early, heavily-camouflaged prototype"
It's not mule!!!! Learn the difference, MT knows.
Reply
Kumar 12:12PM (7/10/2008)
Well, it's appearance will still be vanilla, but not artificial vanilla flavoring.
It's a lot more in the direction of the Camry, which is a good thing for any company wanting to see boatloads of cars. That late-model passat look went out as soon as the new passat came out.
Here's to hoping they stuff a diesel in it along with the AWD!!!!
Reply
Dave 12:14PM (7/10/2008)
I had the pleasure of driving a 500/Taurus on a 1600 mi trip a few yrs ago. I was very impressed with the room, economy and comfort of this vehicle. It always puzzled me as to the lack of sales.
I hope Ford can put a bit of sizzle in this car and make it what it should be. The best large, affordable sedan available.
Reply
Randy 1:44PM (7/10/2008)
I agree! Even since it was the 500 every time I see one and bump into the owner of one I say "what do you think about the 500/Taurus" and they give it rave reviews! They've all been so excited like they were driving a Vette or a GT500KR Mustang or something. Too plain for me but I've got to tell ya that the current model is growing on me. It actually stands out in a crowd! Well, unless you're next to an Audi! LOL
(Same designer ya know?)
Gregg 1:50PM (7/10/2008)
No puzzle to it at all. The current styling could hardly be more dowdy. It makes the relatively plain Camry look positively racey by comparison.
TriShield 1:33PM (7/10/2008)
Except we already have the Camry and attempting to copy it for the 100th time isn't exactly a winning formula.
The car was leaked earlier this year and looks strongly influenced by the European Mondeo and Aussie Falcon, which is what I think Ford should be doing.
US automakers shouldn't "me-too" the competition, they should beat them and offer something distinct.
Reply
Mr Cool 3:15PM (7/10/2008)
"Except we already have the Camry and attempting to copy it for the 100th time isn't exactly a winning formula."
Strange, it was the other way around back in the late 80's early 90's when the Taurus was the perennial best seller.
brn 2:18PM (7/11/2008)
The current Taurus is larger and more upscale than the Camry. It's better to compare it to the Avalon, which is at a higher price point than the Taurus.
doug 10:08AM (7/15/2008)
Don't we already know that it is D32 based off the new Flex/MKS chassis? A clue would be that it's rolling on MKS 19" wheels. The prototype looks better than the studio model.
Reply
nick 12:48PM (7/10/2008)
I hope they kick ass with this car but I fear it's another lincoln on the way...
Reply
baffledu2 12:51PM (7/10/2008)
"I hope they kick ass with this car but I fear it's another lincoln on the way... "
Care to expand what you are trying to say ???
Tired 12:48PM (7/10/2008)
The current Taurus is a really solid family car. Decent mileage (18/28) for a full size with a V6, roomy inside, huge trunk, 5 star crash test results, and they're available nicely optioned for around 20K.
As SUVs fall out of favor, and people become more realistic about their need to tow/haul/go off the pavement once a year, I can see more families moving into full size cars, once again.
Reply
Sully 1:05PM (7/10/2008)
"According to MotorTrend, the Taurus will be underpinned by either the current model's Volvo-derived D platform or the Mazda-based CD3 architecture. "
AutoBlog should know better than to rely on MT for anything
From MT:
"Two options are available -- the current car's Volvo-sourced D platform and the Mazda-derived CD3 platform that underpins the new Flex crossover."
Folks, the Flex is not CD3 - The Flex is an updated version of D3 which also underpins the MKS.
I don't think there is any question as to whether the Taurus is to remain on D3, but rather a matter of how many of the improvements to the platform will make their way back into the Taurus.
Reply
icu812ru469 1:20PM (7/10/2008)
Yawn... maybe consumers were bored with not just the car itself, but the Taurus name. It just brings back too much of the '80s Taurus to mind. Ford's problem has more to do with marketing and branding at this point, then really with having a good or bad automobile. I rode in a Taurus rental and although much improved over previous generations' fit-n-finish, it was still very plain Jane and not memorable at all.
Reply
baffledu2 1:29PM (7/10/2008)
does the word "rental" say anthing to you at all. Of course the interior was "very plain Jane and not memorable at all." Still nicer than a Camry rental.
For a FULL size vehicle priced mid $20's the current Taurus (Sable) base vehicles azre a great value.
Aki 1:35PM (7/10/2008)
Good to see the prototype looks like the clay model. It looks like a nice, if conservative, car. Much better than the current generic Ford 500/Taurus.
Reply
adelossa 1:45PM (7/10/2008)
As a former bull owner, I'm kind of surprised as to how it'll look compared to the 2004 version (I refuse to say they made a 2005-2007 - that wasn't a Taurus).
I hope they bring back the station wagon version of the Taurus, and not call it the the Taurus X (the taurus isn't a crossover SUV)
Reply
Gregg 1:56PM (7/10/2008)
If it could bring back the cache of the 80's era Taurus, that would be awesome, as that was the time when the Taurus was at the top of its game, the best mid-size around. Starting in the mid-90s and all the way through the short 2007 model run, it was rental blah.
Reply
Gregg 2:00PM (7/10/2008)
The 2005-07 Taurus was exactly the same as the 2003-04, and not much different from the 2000-02, or even the 1996-99. And it handily outsold the Five Hundred sold along side it (fleet sales helping of course).
Reply
94 taurus owner 2:25PM (7/10/2008)
If the 3.0ltr Makes a comeback,sign me up.
Reply