Autoblog

Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:58:00 EST

2010 Ford Taurus SEL - Click above for high-res image gallery

While most of the major mechanical systems of the Ford Taurus were unchanged from the 2009 to 2010 models, the all-new styling and interior has inspired people to more people to buy the shapelier four-door than its bland predecessor. Through the first seven months of 2010, sales of the Taurus have jumped by 116 percent, and apparently that newfound enthusiasm also extends to early secondhand sales of the big sedan.

According to Ford, average auction prices on used 2010 Tauruses are now 39 percent higher than comparable 2009 models. That's a jump of $7,100 and, as the Blue Oval dutifully points out, a $2,500 premium over a Toyota Avalon of the same vintage. The Taurus, like its crosstown rival, the Buick LaCrosse, clearly demonstrates the benefits of injecting a healthy dose of style and substance to a mainstream sedan. The volumes may not match the Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords of the world, but the design has inspired people to pay more, generating profits for their manufacturers. Check out Ford's official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39% originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Time Waster of the Day: Ford Taurus stars in online game "White Collar: Chasing the Shadow"

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Toys/Games

About a year ago, Saab got 500,000 eyeballs on its 9-3 Convertible using an online game tied to the show "Burn Notice". Ford is now doing the online game dance with the USA Network - the very same channel that aired "Burn Notice" - this time based on its new show "White Collar." The vehicle of choice: the Taurus.

You'll be using that Taurus - which is actually black, not red - to chase The White Shadow, the evilest white collar criminal around. And you'll need a suite of Ford features to do it: SYNC, SecuriCode, Collision Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control, among others. The game will take seven weeks to solve, so you'll be spending a lot of time in your sedan, but every week five winners will get a White Collar "gentlemen's bag," and the grand prize winner will get a new Ford Taurus. That one will probably will be red.

You can find the press release after the jump, or you can get straight to playing by clicking the link below.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Time Waster of the Day: Ford Taurus stars in online game "White Collar: Chasing the Shadow"

Time Waster of the Day: Ford Taurus stars in online game "White Collar: Chasing the Shadow" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Crossover, Ford, Volvo

Ford Taurus and Volvo VX60 named International Car of the Year - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hold onto your hats folks, because while magazine award ceremonies appear to be just about finished, the auto show trophies are just starting to be handed out. This time, it's the International Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, and we've got two winners from within the Ford empire. The Ford Taurus took top car honors while the Volvo XC60 won as the best truck. Both vehicles have been well received by the press and early returns from customers appear to be positive, too. While the Taurus is outselling its bland and unexciting predecessor, the XC60 has helped Volvo achieve six consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases.

ICOTY creator and executive producer Courtney Caldwell claims that the winners aren't chosen based on performance, but instead on how the vehicles "reflect our personalities, lifestyles and self-image and how well the automaker achieves that goal through the design and marketing of the vehicle." Uh-huh. And while the ICoTY award isn't exactly one of the big-name trophies for the mantle, a win is a win, and both Ford and Volvo are proud recipients of the accolades. Hit the jump to read over the press releases from Ford and Volvo.

Gallery: LA 2009 COTY: 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Volvo XC60

[Sources: Ford, Volvo]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year

LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO

Drew Phillips — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Performance, Ford

Ford Taurus Concepts at the 2009 SEMA Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

We didn't expect much from Ford's new fulls-size four-door at this year's SEMA show, but the quartet of Taurus Concepts were actually pretty impressive. The design lends itself better to customization than we might've thought, and we wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few owners personalizing the look of their cars.

The favorite Taurus around the Autoblog camp seemed to be the SHO built by Mobsteel with its sinister Jet Black paint, subtle body kit, and a 400 horsepower version of the EcoBoost V6. We also (surprisingly) liked the one built by Funkmaster Flex, along with the clean and simple SHO from MRT-Direct. You can see all four cars in our gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus Concepts

SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Taurus reportedly enjoying strong early sales in California

Chris Shunk — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've already established that we feel the 2010 Ford Taurus is a lot more interesting than the boring and benign model it replaced, and sales totals are starting to reinforce our findings. September's sales tally revealed that the new Blue Oval flagship received a 60% sales increase versus September of 2008, and while the fact that the top sales market for the Taurus is Metro Detroit is no surprise, second place is likely the real prize. The Taurus is reportedly red-hot in sunny California, and some dealers are having trouble keeping the super-sized sedan in stock.

That's obviously a great problem to have, and Ford spokesperson Amy Marentic told the Detroit Free Press that there is a simple reason why supplies are short: "The older Taurus ... did not move and really wasn't relevant in California." Galpin Ford vice president Beau Boeckmann was a bit more direct in his reasoning, adding "We went from a frumpy car that did not have a southern California appeal to a car that everybody is in love with." Ford says it is also seeing good news on the options front, as it says 95% of customers are ordering uplevel models or are at least adding extras. A significant 25% of customers have reportedly opted to add Ford's excellent navigation system, up from only 4% on the outgoing Taurus.

We're not so sure "everybody" loves the new Taurus, as it's still a big rig that won't ignite the passion of most enthusiasts, but that isn't really its lot in life anyhow, and we can at least say that the new model ought to receive far more love than the neutered bull it replaced. Hat tip to Yaroukh!

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]

2010 Ford Taurus reportedly enjoying strong early sales in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale

Chris Shunk — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, New Car Reviews

2010 Ford Taurus SEL - Click above for high-res image gallery

In 1985, when few models really stood out from the midsize pack, Ford created one of the most influential vehicles of the late 20th century: the Taurus. Radically styled and intelligently packaged, the Taurus won the hearts and minds of millions of car buyers, and for over a decade, it was a dominant force in the retail car market. Eventually, competition from the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord proved too much for Ford to handle, and the Blue Oval hung its game-changing sedan out to dry. Product development dollars were funneled to trucks and SUVs, and the Zodiac's bull died a pauper's death in 2007 after an achingly long stint as a tattered fleet Queen.

When Alan Mulally took the helm of FoMoCo, the new CEO wondered why the recognizable - if tarnished - Taurus name had been abandoned. So a branding Band-Aid was affixed to the underperforming Five Hundred sedan and, unsurprisingly, consumers saw through the botched rebadging. The "new" Taurus was still the old Five Hundred; a dynamically challenged sedan whose biggest selling point was a really large trunk. In hindsight, the move may have been a way to revive the Taurus in the public's consciousness as Mulally and company went back to the drawing board to create a new world-class sedan capable of taking on the biggest names in the segment. The 2010 Ford Taurus is here... but does it have what it takes?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale

Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2010 Taurus SHO breaks into the 13s

Chris Shunk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO at Epping Dragway: Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2010 Taurus SHO packs 365 horsepower courtesy of its twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, but something about the sheer size of Ford's full-size sedan tells us that it doesn't quite belong on the track. That didn't stop one man from taking the 21st century SHO to New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire to try his luck in a straight-line foot race.

The massive SHO took its spot at the left starting gate against a Fox body Mustang of undetermined modification, and when the tree turned green, the 4,300-pound Taurus gave its fellow Ford all it could handle. Hit the jump to watch the 2010 Taurus SHO notch a credible 13.92 at 100 mph at Epping. Since we've already seen the 350 horsepower EcoBoost MKS hit 13.9 at Milan dragway in Michigan, we're guessing the SHO Taurus was either bone stock or only modestly modified. Hat tip to Brian.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: Bang Shift]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Taurus SHO breaks into the 13s

VIDEO: 2010 Taurus SHO breaks into the 13s originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Taurus earns Top Safety Pick from IIHS

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for high-res image gallery

Color us unsurprised that the new 2010 Ford Taurus earned a coveted Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. After all, the previous-generation Taurus took home the award in 2008 and 2009 and the pre- name-change Ford Five Hundred was a Top Safety Pick way back in 2007.

In order to win the Top Safety Pick award, the IIHS says "a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control." Click here and you'll see that the 2010 Ford Taurus got solid green marks all across the board.

We'd love to show an image gallery of the 2010 Taurus crash test results, but none are available. The last full-size Ford sedan actually crash tested by the IIHS was the 2007 Five Hundred. Therefore, the Top Safety Pick was awarded based on Ford's own internal crash test data after being verified by IIHS researchers.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Insurance Institute For Highway Safety]

Ford Taurus earns Top Safety Pick from IIHS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford to go after lux brands with new Taurus ads [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

Click above to watch videos after the jump

While the Taurus name still carries very strong awareness with customers, Ford needs to show the car-buying public that the 2010 model has an entirely new level of class and refinement. To accomplish its goal, the flagship sedan's new marketing campaign is ignoring competitors like the Honda Accord and instead going after the luxury competition.

New online ads will pit the 2010 Taurus, which starts at $26,000, against competition that costs $60,000 or more. In one spot, the Taurus goes head to head with the much more expensive Lexus LS. Both vehicles will be driving behind a leaky gravel hauler to show that the Ford has a better paint job. In another spot featuring the Infiniti M45X, Ford aims to show that the Taurus has a more sophisticated radar system. Infiniti spokesman Kyle Bazemore tells the Detroit News that his company is flattered to be chosen by Ford as a benchmark, but "our entry-level Infiniti G beat the Taurus in a head-to-head test by Edmunds.com."

Ford says the ads aren't targeting luxury car buyers, but instead they are meant to tout the Taurus' advanced technology. Analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP likes Ford's approach, since many vehicles in the segment don't have the same level of tech as the Taurus. Hall isn't so sure, however, if the online ads go far enough to distinguish the new Taurus from the old model. Ford's print and TV spots won't feature luxury competitors, though, instead focusing mainly on favorable reviews and technology.

Follow the jump to view two of the new Taurus ads. In the first one, Ford takes on the Acura RL to see which vehicle has the quieter cabin. The prop? A fire-breathing drag racer, parked right between the two vehicles. The second spot features the Taurus and Lexus LS taking on the fore-mentioned gravel hauler. This commercial is pretty sweet, if only because of the slow motion chunks of rocks hitting both cars set to opera. Hat tip to Racer.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: Detroit News]

Continue reading REPORT: Ford to go after lux brands with new Taurus ads [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Ford to go after lux brands with new Taurus ads [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Ford models cut automaker's lineup age by 2.4 years?

Chris Shunk — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Ford

2010 Ford Taurus - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Ford is launching ten new or redesigned vehicles this year, bringing its line-up age down to a scant 2.4 years, according to a Merrill Lynch report. Product Chief Derrick Kuzak told the Free Press that the goal is to keep the product lineup fresh, and the Blue Oval is getting the job done with fewer models and vehicle platforms.

Back in 2004, Ford had 92 vehicles in its product lineup, and that number was dropped to 59 by 2008. Ford also cut platforms from 27 to 16 during that time frame, slicing engineering costs by a whopping 60% as a result.

Ford intends to keep up the accelerated pace of vehicle launches in 2010 with the introduction of the new Fiesta, a global Focus, the Transit Connect electric, a heavily updated Super Duty pickup lineup, and an all-new unibody Explorer. Autoconomy analyst Erich Merkle reportedly told the Free Press that the Blue Oval has "a tidal wave of new product" planned for the next 18 months.

Citibank analyst Itay Michaeli is reportedly questioning whether Ford can keep up this frenetic pace of vehicle launches as the automaker continues to lose money. Analysts were expecting Ford to lose about 53 cents per share in the second quarter, after burning through $3.7 billion in cash in Q1, but the company surprised many by losing only 21 cents per share on continuing operations. Ford CEO Alan Mulally says the company has the money to execute it's plan.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: Free Press, CNN Money]

New Ford models cut automaker's lineup age by 2.4 years? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line pits Ford Taurus against Honda Accord. Who wins?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Honda

When Honda decided to grow its bread-and-butter Accord sedan in every dimension, it entered into the large car segment. The press has been pretty well split on whether or not that was a good idea, but the car buying public continues to vote favorably with its pocket books.

Ford has had a large car entry since the 2005 model year when it unleashed the Five Hundred to the surprise and delight of just of... well... someone, presumably. After lackluster sales, Ford changed the name of its full-sized sedan to Taurus for 2008, but the end result remained the apathy of car buyers. Ford appears to have finally stepped up its game with the 2010 Taurus, however, as the Blue Oval has decided to take its super sized sedan upmarket, with an elegant interior and an exterior that people will actually notice.

Our friends over at Inside Line have brought the Accord and Taurus together in an epic battle of the big rigs. The Accord has a quality pedigree and the love of the car-buying public, while Ford counters with an upstart Taurus that has become the flagship of a vastly improved lineup. The battle was close, but only one large sedan could end up on top of this comparison. Hit the link below to head over to Inside Line to read the comparison for yourself.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Honda Accord

Photos copyright (C)2008 Jonathon Ramsey/ Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Scott Jacobs]

Inside Line pits Ford Taurus against Honda Accord. Who wins? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus - The once and future king?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, First Drives

2010 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford's marketers and PR types have a tremendous job ahead of them: Educating the American consumer on what company's new Taurus is all about. It's a Herculean task that amounts to nothing more than rebuilding a brand that was once broadly considered an icon - not just of the auto industry - but of American business at large.

Fortunately for the Blue Oval team, they may have an ace-in-the-hole. As we learned driving the 2010 Ford Taurus through Tennessee and North Carolina's Smoky Mountain roads, this new bull shows promise and takes the marque upscale like never before. But be under no illusions - this is a risky move. The Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before (let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately clear who the model's competitors are - a detail that could prove problematic when trying to target customers.

The Chicago-built Taurus is no longer a logical Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu cross-shop - that's the Fusion's turf now. In size, technology, and aspirations, Ford is pushing its new sedan several of rungs up the ladder. Is it the right product for the right time? Perhaps of more immediate concern, is it carrying the right name and will Ford be able to overcome the Taurus brand's baggage and sell America on its virtues?

Click through to see if the Blue Oval has a fighting chance.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus - The once and future king?

First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus - The once and future king? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's New Is Old Again: 2010 Ford Taurus launching with incentives

John Neff — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

The new 2010 Ford Taurus may share nothing mechanically with the model that ended production a few years ago, but it will launch this September with one thing in common: incentives. A poster car for rental fleets, the last-generation Taurus was being sold with rebates of between $3,000 and $4,000 before Ford stopped selling it to retail customers altogether. The new Taurus, despite being better in every way and touted as the brand's new halo sedan, will go on sale with an early-order incentive offering $500 to buyers who receive their car by September 1 and an additional $1,000 cash rebate on all but the base model Taurus.

The new Taurus shouldn't be judged too harshly for launching with money on its hood. Poor sales can't be blamed, because none have been sold yet. The incentives are meant to kick off Taurus sales and get the numbers up to where they might have been had the economy not gone sour. And to ensure the new Taurus doesn't wind up clogging rental fleet lots like the last one, Ford has stated that it will keep rental sales in the single- or low-double-digit range.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

What's New Is Old Again: 2010 Ford Taurus launching with incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Taurus SHO configurator comes online, many new pics

John Neff — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for new high-res image gallery

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is almost here, which is music to the ear of any SHO fan (*raises hand*). We'll be getting our first drive in one, along with the standard Taurus, later this week, but our appetites have been whetted thanks to a slew of new images released today and the launch of the 2010 Taurus car configurator on Ford's website.

We jumped right in to build a loaded SHO painted Atlantis Green as a tribute to the original, and the price tag came to $45,175 (Note: the Taurus SHO base price is $37,170). That may sound like a massive sum for a Blue Oval sedan, but check the specs and you'll see that the 365-hp SHO comes with more power, entertainment and tech features than any of its competitors with an accent - and for a whole lot less, too.

We've updated both galleries below with many new Taurus and Taurus SHO pics, so browse around before you go building your own. Thanks for the tip, Howard!

Note: As a special treat for true SHO fans, we snagged some images of the SHO in Atlantis Green from the configurator since Ford has yet to release any official shots of the car wearing this iconic SHO color. They're not the greatest shots, but they're all we've got for now.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: Ford]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO configurator comes online, many new pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES, I.C.E., Ford

Click the image above to view a video of the new SYNC system after the jump

At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Ford announced that three new features would be included on the next iteration of the SYNC system: traffic data, GPS-guided directions and the ability to snag information from the web through the user's data/GPS/Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to display or read weather conditions, sports scores and other information through the stereo.

On May 26th, the upgrade will be made available to all current 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners (you download the update to your PC, then transfer it to the SYNC system through a thumb drive) and all new 2010 models will be equipped with the upgrade from the factory. But as Ford CEO Alan Mulally promised, there's more on the way.

Ford and Microsoft plan to continually update SYNC, and according to Charlotte Fisher from Ford's Design and Technology team, "every six to eight to twelve months we'll be delivering new services." One of the possible features Ford could include on future iterations of SYNC is streaming internet radio, and Fisher confirmed that Ford is currently "talking with Pandora." Can you say XM-killer? Hit the jump to watch a video of the new system in action.

Continue reading Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming

Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spotted without camo!

John Neff — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spy shots

Thanks to our friends at BringBackTheSHO.com, we now have more evidence than ever that the SHO will rise again. These spy shots show a pair of serious looking Taurus sedans snapped along the I-75 corridor in ~~Michigan~~ Florida ~~(the greenish grass and lack of snow suggest they weren't taken recently)~~. These two sedans are different from the Limited and SES models we saw at the Detroit Auto Show last week, wearing new wheels (at least 19 or 20 inches in diameter), a decklid spoiler, different tail-lights and a new rear bumper that extends lower over a pair of dual tail-pipes. There's also a conspicuous looking badge on the rear end that's covered with camo tape. What could it be? Who knows for SHO?

We expect to find Ford's new 3.5L EcoBoost V6 underhood, which produces 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Well, that's what the engine produces in the 2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKS, 2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKT and 2010 Ford EcoBoost Flex. Whether or not Ford increases the engine's power for SHO duty (it does stand for Super High Output, after all) remains to be seen, but expect all-wheel drive and a flappy paddle, six-speed gearbox to be standard equipment. The 2009 Chicago Auto Show, where we expect this car to debut, just got a whole lot more interesting.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO - spy shots

[Source: VWVortex via BringBackTheSHO.com, Photos used with permission of BBTS.com]

Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spotted without camo! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Taurus SHO slated for Chicago debut?

John Neff — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Taurus

Ford has launched its mini-site for the 2010 Taurus, and in addition to including images of its new flagship sedan in all available colors (see updated gallery below), a clue has been discovered that may shed some light on the rumored return of the much loved SHO model. Mousing over the word "GALLERY" will produce a drop down menu at the bottom of which is a selection called "PERFORMANCE SERIES". Mouse over that guy and the message "COMING FEBRUARY 2009" is revealed.

The 2009 Chicago Auto Show occurs in February, which suggests that Ford will be debut this "Performance Series" of the Taurus in the Windy City. Will it be the SHO? We don't know, though prior spy shots of a SHO-badged interior suggest an affirmative on that one.

When Ford debuted the new Taurus at the Detroit Auto Show this week, mention was made of both the standard 3.5L Duratec V6 and the "optional availability of Ford's advanced EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6, with an announcement regarding availability soon." So we expect that Ford will debut the 355-hp EcoBoost V6 in the Taurus at the Chicago show, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be be wearing any Super High Output badges. Ford seems keen on building the EcoBoost brand name, as "EcoBoost" will appear alongside the Lincoln MKS, MKT and Ford Flex when those new models are ordered up with the same advanced engine.

Frankly, we hope Ford just calls it the EcoBoost Taurus and leaves "SHO" alone for now. The 2010 Taurus may share a name with the one that was offered with a Yamaha V6 back in the '80s and '90s, but the new one is a much larger, heavier car that's ill-suited for sport sedan duties. We'll reiterate our wish once again: a Fusion SHO tuned by SVT with a manual or dual-sequential gearbox, front-wheel-drive, weight saving measures and a small EcoBoost four-cylinder capable of producing a reverential 220 horsepower and return well over 30 mpg on the highway. But that's just us.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: BringBacktheSHO.com, Ford]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO slated for Chicago debut? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: 2010 Ford Taurus in depth [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Videos, Ford

The Ford Taurus has gained a reputation of being a very large, very safe, very sedate sedan. Ford wanted to add some adjectives, including attractive, modern, and contemporary, so the Blue Oval design team went back to the drawing board. The result? The 2010 Ford Taurus ditches the bulbous, boring sheetmetal for a thoroughly refreshing set of duds, and with the long awaited 3.5-liter, 355 hp Ecoboost engine finally coming... ladies and gentlemen... it's SHO time!

With our cameras rolling, we had the chance to talk with some of the people responsible for the all-new Taurus. Hit play above to see it for yourself, and if you want more details about Ford's new flagship sedan, hit our extensive preview by clicking here.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus - LIVE

Detroit 2009: 2010 Ford Taurus in depth [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Ford Taurus turns up in new duds [w/VIDEO]

John Neff — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

Click above for high-res live images of the 2010 Ford Taurus

We exhaustively told you about the new 2010 Ford Taurus last night, but we've just seen the car in person, sat in it and left our fingerprints on all the shiny parts. Make no mistake, the new Taurus is an entirely different vehicle than the one it replaces, at least in terms of looks. It also feels like a more expensive car, with soft-touch materials, high quality plastics and creamy leather everywhere. While rear seat accommodations are commodious, front seat passengers will feel snug as a bug sitting on either side of the tall center console.

We also got a chance to see a Taurus SEL, which is one trim level below the Limited model that we've previously seen. Bathed in beige and wearing a different wheel design, even this more base level model looked rich and inviting with a light-and-dark two-tone interior.

Oh, and while we didn't manage to grab a pic, the trunk is large enough to fit at least five dead bodies. Just saying.

Check out our original reveal post on the 2010 Ford Taurus and our new gallery of high-res live images below. Video of the live reveal has been added after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Ford Taurus Live

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Ford Taurus turns up in new duds [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Ford Taurus turns up in new duds [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Ford reveals 2010 Taurus, party like it's 1986

John Neff — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Taurus

Last month, Ford's President of the Americas Mark Fields remarked that it was going to be like 1986 all over again when the 2010 Ford Taurus arrives. The original Taurus that debuted during the Reagan Era was certainly groundbreaking, not only for its aerodynamic design that was unique in the mid-size sedan segment of the day, but also its tremendous value versus the competition. That car went on to become the best-selling passenger vehicle in the U.S. during the early '90s before a series of successively worse redesigns saw it fall from grace. It was sold uninterrupted for 21 years until late 2006 when the final one rolled off the assembly line at the company's assembly plant in Hapeville, GA. By that time, sales to the public had ceased and Ford was only selling the Taurus to fleets and rental companies, which had become the car's biggest customers as more and more families bought Camrys and Accords.

Then came Alan Mulally. Bill Ford Jr. replaced himself as CEO with Boeing's ex-head honcho and one of this Kansas-bred boy's first actions at the Blue Oval was to resurrect the Taurus name. Ford's new large sedan, the Five Hundred, wasn't selling well, and it was thought that slapping the Taurus name on it would help things. It didn't, and despite some substantive improvements to the car, the newly minted Taurus v2.0 earned a reputation for being a good but not great car that sold just enough to justify its existence.

The new 2010 Taurus has been completely redesigned, and Ford hopes all these changes to the exterior, interior, platform and powertrain will add up to a full-size car worthy of the Taurus name. Will it become the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. again? Not likely, but it will be a new halo car for the Ford brand that's crammed with all the best technology and state-of-the-art engines. Follow the jump to find out more.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus - LIVE

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Ford reveals 2010 Taurus, party like it's 1986

Detroit 2009: Ford reveals 2010 Taurus, party like it's 1986 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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