Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus
by Chris Paukert on Dec 19th 2008 at 2:58PM 
Although we were privy to a sneak-peek of the 2010 Ford Taurus ahead of its unveiling, we fear that frowning burly men in limo-tinted black Expeditions will appear in our driveways if we disclose anything. Thus, we present you with the next best thing: Spy shots. Espionage artists have captured our best look yet at the coming large sedan, courtesy of this be-larvaed test mule that was caught wandering in Detroit's fresh snow. With the light clusters and grille exposed and most of the camouflage removed, it's easier to see that the 2010 Taurus has a lower stance compared to the current high-riding iteration. A thick beltline remains, but the greenhouse is notably shallower than on the current car and the roofline appears less rounded, leading to the conclusion that this Taurus has all-new sheet metal. Up front, the chiseled front end displays a more assertive face thanks to swept back headlamp clusters and a dimpled riff on Ford's trademark three-bar grille, and a small D-shaped fender vent displays the sedan's upscale intentions.
Word is that the Taurus will retain the current model's D3 platform, but expect a brace of new technology underhood and in the cabin as the Blue Oval looks to reclaim some of the Taurus' lost luster when it debuts, likely at the Detroit Auto Show.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Torrent 3:14PM (12/19/2008)
That is one frickin huge trunk. I was hoping maybe more of a four door coupe thingie. Looks good nevertheless.
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Torrent 3:16PM (12/19/2008)
And stop with the Fender vents. They're more tired than "Crank that Soulja Boy".
Polly Prissy Pants 4:44PM (12/19/2008)
I'd also like to vote for less of that Impala-esque ass-in-the-air rake that is so popular with domestic autos. Talk about tired. That's almost as much of a beating as the nonstop pop-up ads on the Autoweek website. Remind me to never go back there again.
Atomicbri 7:57AM (12/20/2008)
LOL!! OMG Polly Prissy Pants, I was thinking the same thing about those annoying pop up ads there as well. But I was lucky enough to get a survey, so I let them know over at Autoweek how awful there site is with the pop ups that I care nothing about.
Austin 3:16PM (12/19/2008)
Its on D4 autoblog just like MkS and Flex.
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jgp 3:16PM (12/19/2008)
It looks like they fixed the Taurus' cartoonish proportions--the new roofline (sleeker) and the new door handles (smaller) go a long way towards not making it look like a cartoon.
The new grille also looks like a real improvemnet over the three-bar look...it looks almost Falcon-ish.
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Jeff 3:16PM (12/19/2008)
I trunk sweeps downward and up like the INTERCEPTOR!!!!!!!!
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Amit 3:18PM (12/19/2008)
Ford seems to be going for the anonymous look here just like the Accord and unlike the new Fusion. However, that might not be a bad thing for the target audience of this car. It will be interesting to see the sales of big cars like Taurus, Impala, Avalon and Maxima over the next few years. Will they just keep getting bigger or will there be a point after which the customer will say: "Even though I can afford the cost and the low fuel economy, such a big car makes no sense"?
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Jason 3:27PM (12/19/2008)
Aside from the new grill and headlights, it looks pretty much like the old one. Seriously -- if you cover up the front with your fingers, wouldn't you think that's the back 3/4 of the current model? I'm not so sure about this thing now... :(
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FordTruckin 3:52PM (12/19/2008)
It reminds me more of the MKS than the old Taurus/500. I think the reason for making it bigger is because the Fusion is now the brands Mid-size car and is closely related in size to the old Taurus. The new Taurus will be more like the Crown Vic, except it looks smaller (interior dimensions will be same if not more than the Crown Vic).
Jim 4:28PM (12/19/2008)
only if you're visually impaired.
KLR 3:27PM (12/19/2008)
Cougar butt-lift
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jcar302 3:29PM (12/19/2008)
What exactly is the point of the taurus? What does it do that the fusion doesn't?
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Crackberry Addict 3:36PM (12/19/2008)
Well it will come with the Ecoboost 3.5 pushing 350 hp, enough said!
ehisforadam 3:45PM (12/19/2008)
It's bigger?
What exactly does the Fusion do that the Focus doesn't?
jcar302 3:52PM (12/19/2008)
Ehisforadam,
I've been in the current taurus, fusion and focus.
The focus and fusion aren't really comparable to each other size wise.
On the other hand, anyone that fits in a fusion will be just about as comfortable in a taurus.
Don't get me wrong, the taurus was a little more roomy, but not enough to justify puchasing one over a fusion.
Torrent 3:53PM (12/19/2008)
The Taurus is to the Fusion what the Lucerne and Avalon are to the LaCrosse and Camry. Kinda like a step up in luxury for a little more dough.
nardvark 3:59PM (12/19/2008)
I don't think there's much difference from the point of view of the driver, but I'm pretty sure the Taurus back seat is downright gargantuan in comparison to the backseat of a midsize car like the Fusion.
FordTruckin 4:19PM (12/19/2008)
Take a drive in a 06-09 Fusion then take a drive in a 07-09 500/Taurus. The Taurus feels bigger on the inside, the trunk is quite a big bigger than the fusions, and in the Taurus, you sit as if you're in a crossover type vehicle. (you're sitting more upright and higher, I think Ford marketed this when the 500 first came to be.
Jim 4:28PM (12/19/2008)
"What exactly is the point of the taurus? What does it do that the fusion doesn't?"
Replace the Crown Victoria, which you can't buy anymore.