Spy Shots: Ford Taurus ST
We've been eagerly awaiting the upcoming introduction of the 2010 Ford Taurus since we first laid eyes on the Mondeo-inspired clay mock-up that was leaked across the Internets. Ford already announced that Ecoboost technology would power at least one version of the 2010 model, and with a 350-hp twin-turbo V6 underhood, we're thinking it's finally SHO time again. The scribes over at World Car Fans have supposedly heard otherwise, though, at least when it comes to the name. Word from industry insiders has the nomenclature as Taurus ST. World Car Fans got more than a scoop on names; they got some pics of the sporty Taurus, as well. It looks like Ford designers opened up the lower air dam to help feed the force-fed powerplant. The next generation of the corporate grille is partly visible, too, and it appears as though the bars got thinner and less cartoonish in execution. Headlights visible through the heavy camo appear to be of the LED kind, and they look far more modern than the current Taurus' 1990's design. Massive, MKS-like 20-inch rims help show this undercover Taurus has sporty pretenses, as does the duel exhaust out back. Also evident from the spy pics is the fact that the bulbous roofline from the current Taurus has been replaced with something far more shapely and contemporary. We're still a few months from seeing the 2010 Taurus in the flesh, but it's good to see that the high-performance version is well on its way.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TJ 5:06PM (10/06/2008)
Can't wait for this to get to market, Ford needed this yesterday.
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flashpoint zero 1:06AM (10/07/2008)
I think this car has been released by Ford already... Just replace the name Taurus with Falcon, and I think you might start to get the picture.
jordan 1:39PM (10/07/2008)
def not a falcon...probably looking to falcon for inspiration, but it's way too bland to be a falcon
RL 5:10PM (10/06/2008)
yes, true, but still hard to make out yet, we'll see how it appears when it's time
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Eric 5:19PM (10/06/2008)
I challenge you to a duel.
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Benfolio 5:24PM (10/06/2008)
I hate it when my exhaust pipes do battle.
"...Taurus has sporty pretenses, as does the duel exhaust out back"
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RL 5:28PM (10/06/2008)
What is the little blurred out red car in the background!?!? ha ha ha
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Brent 5:37PM (10/06/2008)
Maybe a Ka?
Yaroukh 9:00AM (10/07/2008)
definetely not Ka
Zach 6:24AM (10/09/2008)
That looks like the new Fiesta
BrianFL 5:29PM (10/06/2008)
The current Taurus is actually a very good car. Its not sporty by any means but very comfortable. The seats porvide good visability almost like a CUV. The interior is good quality too. The biggest issue with it is that its very boring!! This is one car along with the Impala that needs to rear drive to attract more gearheads. Some people are already going to complain on here that it wouldn't sell and because of gas prices but I promise you it will. The 300c and the Charger were smash hits when they came out. They aren't selling now because they have let them go stale. But I know the die hard Chevy and Ford fans didn't by them because well, it was a Chrysler.
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Jj 5:58PM (10/06/2008)
I had a rental Five Hundred while on business once. I too found it guite comfortable and liked the commanding (for a car) driving position.
The Five Hundred version of the car was very plain, but the design worked when looking at the car as a whole, that is, nothing looked out-of place. The Taurus version looks like exactly what it is: a plain car that was hurriedly modified to be less plain, resulting in a look that just dosen't work well at being plain or sporty.
Ford needs this new Taurus bad and in my opinion they would have been better off keeping the original Five Hundred and putting more resources on this instead of making the Taurus version.
tanooki2003 9:18AM (10/07/2008)
I understand what you are saying, however the Taurus and the Impala (GAG) need to focus on the formula that the Toyota Camry uses. Don't start saying ignorant stuff such as "people think Japanese stuff is better" garbage. What I mean is that the Taurus had this exact same success that the Camry has now up until 1996 and it needs to find what defined that success. Even then that car was considered "boring" but somehow it was a successful #1 seller in America as the Camry is today.
If this car looks like another warmed over Buick minus the curves or another Impala then it will see the same sales figures as the current Taurus does now.
Matt 5:45PM (10/06/2008)
Such a shame it will be FWD. It seems Ford refuses to do anything that would set them apart.
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SPF 6:26PM (10/06/2008)
It will be AWD.
Brent Worrell 5:50PM (10/06/2008)
if its not called a SHO dont even bother selling it period.
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pmiddle5 5:56PM (10/06/2008)
Whys that? Ford will always have 7589038 different abbreviations for their performance cars.
Justin 6:03PM (10/06/2008)
Yes, because the handful of enthusiasts who would actually buy the SHO over the hordes of families who would buy the more basic models will really pay the bills for Ford.
Did you eat stupid for breakfast?
P.V. 6:06PM (10/06/2008)
@Justin
By "it", I think he was referring to the ST, not the entire Taurus lineup.
tanooki2003 9:24AM (10/07/2008)
LOL @ Justin.
I think I will use that line at my work =-D