Autoblog

Ford Taurus and Explorer Police Interceptor production begins

Zach Bowman — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Government/Legal, Crossover, Ford, Police/Emergency

Ford has begun producing the company's two new Police Interceptor models. According to Ward's Auto, both the Taurus and Explorer-based cruisers are rolling off of the line at the automaker's Chicago Assembly Plant. All told, the sedan variant has accounted for around 60 percent of orders so far. Currently, the law enforcement market is Ford's to lose: Dearborn has controlled up to 70 percent of police car sales in the U.S. with its now defunct Crown Victoria in the past, but General Motors has made it clear it wants a larger slice of that pie.

GM has given law enforcement agencies an alternative to the two Interceptors from Ford with its Caprice PPV and Tahoe law enforcement SUV. Even so, Ford remains confident it will stay on top of the police market. The company says that early orders indicate it will remain the segment leader.

With a turbocharged, direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 engine in place of the old 4.6-liter V8 found in the Crown Victoria, Ford also says its new Interceptor models should be capable of returning 20 percent better fuel economy - an attribute that should salve relationships somewhat with fleet orderers who were fond of the anvil-like reliability and simplicity of the old Crown Vic.

Ford Taurus and Explorer Police Interceptor production begins originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor shows its face

Zach Bowman — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:36:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Ford, Police/Emergency

2013 Ford Police Interceptor spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

It looks as if the recent update to the 2013 Ford Taurus will translate to the company's new Police Interceptor. Our elite squad of spy photographers have managed to capture a few images of a revamped Interceptor during transport, and while several mules have been spotted with heavy front-end camouflage, this particular car has dropped its gown for the whole world to see. Along with a more aggressive front fascia, the vehicle wears a larger grille than its civilian counterparts to accommodate additional lighting, and perhaps enable better breathing.

Speaking of lighting, Ford looks to have reworked the vehicle's taillights to accept emergency strobes as well. Take this as an official warning - if you see this guy stalking you through traffic, it's probably already too late. Just go ahead and pull on over.

It's unclear exactly what performance modifications will accompany the aesthetic alterations. Still, given that the 2013 Taurus is now available with 290 horsepower from the base 3.5-liter V6 as well as a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and the mighty EcoBoost V6 with 365 ponies, law enforcement will likely have plenty of options to chose from.

2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor shows its face originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2011 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo

Zach Bowman — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Ford, Australia, Design/Style

2013 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've been wondering exactly what Ford has in mind for the next-generation Falcon, look no further than the recently revealed 2013 Taurus for a few clues. Ford design guru J Mays has officially made it clear that the look of the sedan will be transposed onto several of the automaker's other products, including models like the Mondeo and Falcon. The crew from Go Auto spoke to Mays at the New York International Auto Show last week where the designer said that the corporate look will still allow each model to flex its character.

Mays said that the design was heavily influenced by vehicles like the Audi A6 and that the new trapezoidal grille design on the 2013 Taurus will allow the vehicle's face to be easily applied to a range of products. Even so, don't expect to see exact carbon copies across the dealer lot. Mays made it clear that the design can be modified to deliver everything from an aggressive visage to a more subdued look.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Go Auto]

2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Taurus Police Interceptor to hit streets with 2013 updates

Chris Shunk — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Work, Ford

2013 Ford Taurus and 2012 Taurus Police Interceptor - Click either image for high-res gallery

The Ford Crown Victoria has been such a valuable asset to police agencies around the U.S. that some municipalities have gone as far as to order extras. The reason? The Crown Vic will be retired at the end of 2011, with a replacement coming in the form of the Taurus Police Interceptor. But with the new 2013 Taurus being shown at the New York Auto Show and Ford already having shown a version of the cruiser based on the 2011 model, which version will the cops get?

USA Today reports that Ford product boss Derrick Kuzak says the Taurus PI will in fact be based off the 2013 model, which includes LED taillights and new front and rear fascias. Beyond cosmetic upgrades, the 2013 Taurus will also receive a 27-horsepower boost from the 3.5-liter V6 (to 290 hp) and an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbo that boasts highway fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon. The V6-powered EcoBoost Taurus SHO will continue to feature 365 hp.

Since the new Taurus PI will be a 2013 model, will it also offer all three powertrains? We're thinking there might be a few police agencies that would be interested in a more fuel efficient cop car. A 2.0-liter EcoBoost model could save municipalities some bucks, but historically, most departments have shied away from the high-tech and smaller displacement in favor of the less complex and tried-and-true, so we're not sure how well they'd fare in the marketplace. What are your thoughts? Have your say in Comments.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

Gallery: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor

[Source: USA Today]

Ford Taurus Police Interceptor to hit streets with 2013 updates originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Ford pits Police Interceptor pair against the competition

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Etc., Ford, Police/Emergency

2011 Ford Police Interceptors - Click above to view the videos after the jump

The long-serving Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor will take its final bow this year, leaving behind a legacy of protecting and serving that outstrips even the legendary Chevrolet Caprice. To fill the void left by the stout-but-dated Crown Vic, Ford is releasing a fleet of new Police Interceptors, and they've got a legacy to uphold.

Ahead of their launch, Dearborn pitted the new Interceptors against their competition from Dodge and Chevrolet, the Dodge Charger and the Chevrolet Tahoe. Ford is releasing 2011 Explorer and 2011 Taurus versions of the Interceptor, with the Explorer getting a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6 making 300 horsepower and the Taurus available with either a 3.5-liter 280-hp V6, or the 365 hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost mill from the SHO.

Ford is offering the Interceptors in front or all-wheel drive guise, eschewing the Crown Vic's rear-drive-only platform. Click past the jump to see how Ford's efforts stack up to the competition.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Videos: Ford pits Police Interceptor pair against the competition

Videos: Ford pits Police Interceptor pair against the competition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Ford Taurus SHOx prescribed for power, side effects include bleeding ears

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Ford

2011 Ford Taurus "SHOx" - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rick Bottom Designs was given the keys to a 2011 Ford Taurus SHO and the custom car builder decided it wanted to hear more from the Blue Oval sedan. The 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6 has been bumped up by a Hahn Racecraft Stage 1 upgrade package, meaning this SHO is now putting out 465 hp. Re-christened as the SHOx, further modifications include a performance exhaust system, cold air intake kit, large Baer brakes hidden behind 22-inch Axiom forged wheels and a custom body kit.

It's not the engine, however, that is making all the noise. We said Rick Bottom Designs wanted to hear more from the car... so the tuner installed a 16,000 Watt stereo system capable of blaring the most intense block-rockin' beats. The car has been modified to a two-plus-two seating arrangement, and we imagine that potential fifth passenger will be glad they now have to walk, since all his or her Taurus SHOx-riding friends are going to be deaf. Cover your ears and check out the SHOx live from SEMA in our gallery below.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ford Taurus "SHOx"

SEMA 2010: Ford Taurus SHOx prescribed for power, side effects include bleeding ears originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Conan O'Brien turns stuntman, pilots explosive '69 Dodge Dart

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Dodge, Celebrities, Humor

Conan O'Brien does his own stunts - Click above to watch video after the jump

Conan O'Brien is getting ready to launch his new late-night talk show. "Conan" premieres November 8th at 11pm on TBS. He wants to show everyone just how bad-ass this new television show will be. Ditching his beloved 1992 Ford Taurus SHO, O'Brien jumps behind the wheel of a '69 Dodge Dart that is pointed straight at a cliff. He ups the stunt-ante by packing the car with C4 explosives, fireworks from New Hampshire (which technically are not illegal if you fire them off in the Granite state) and un-popped popcorn kernels.

Having the Dart loaded with stuff that explodes and ceremoniously removing his stunt man from the equation, Conan nails the accelerator towards the cliff then Thelma and Louises it over the edge. The result is a loud, explosion-filled wreck that O'Brien walks away from while putting out his flaming hair and leather jacket. It's epic.

Are you still here? Seriously already, check it out after the jump.

[Source: Inside Line, Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Conan O'Brien turns stuntman, pilots explosive '69 Dodge Dart

Video: Conan O'Brien turns stuntman, pilots explosive '69 Dodge Dart originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Homebuilt Steaurus 2000 is a Blue Oval the likes of which we've never seen

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Ford, Humor

The Steaurus 2000 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Just a few of the specs: eight batteries, one toaster, one microwave, one DVD player, one VCR, five exterior cameras and a "secondary auxiliary defroster." Oh, and one really, really funky hat, under which exists one heck of a hair style. Those are the things you'll find in and around the Stearus 2000, the creation of a real-life Captain H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock that debuted at this year's Woodward Dream Cruise. (How in the heck did we miss this one?)

The name is a combination of the words "Steve," its inventor, and "Taurus," the car. Steve is from Marine City, Michigan, a town that obviously breeds one-of-a-kind folk. He has almost as many quotable lines as his car has features (one of our favorites: "I also have a hammer"), so do yourself a favor and follow the jump to hear about the Stearus 2000 in his own words.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Continue reading Video: Homebuilt Steaurus 2000 is a Blue Oval the likes of which we've never seen

Video: Homebuilt Steaurus 2000 is a Blue Oval the likes of which we've never seen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

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

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford

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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Video: Conan O'Brien takes 60 Minutes for a ride in his '92 Taurus SHO

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Humor

The Conan O'Brien SHO - Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you thought Jay Leno was the only late-night talk show host who was into cars, think again. Sure, Jay's got the garage full of priceless automobiles and regularly contributes to Octane magazine, but Letterman is part owner of an Indy racing team, and Conan's had his share of four-wheeled shenanigans.

If the Bugatti Veyron mouse shtick wasn't enough to convince you, have a look at the video after the jump. On a segment of the CBS news program 60 Minutes, Conan takes his interviewer around Los Angeles in a dirt-green 1992 Ford Taurus SHO. Check it out; it's worth a laugh of two.

[Source: RideLust]

Continue reading Video: Conan O'Brien takes 60 Minutes for a ride in his '92 Taurus SHO

Video: Conan O'Brien takes 60 Minutes for a ride in his '92 Taurus SHO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai Genesis sedan gets the police package getup

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai, Police/Emergency, South Korea

This is interesting. As you cop-car fans well know, Ford recently introduced an all new Police Interceptor. After ~~centuries~~ decades of sticking with the body-on-frame, RWD Panther-platform Crown Victoria, Ford made the decision to go with the unit-bodied, front- or all-wheel drive Taurus chassis. They've beefed the full-size family hauler up to Herculean stature (claiming that it can withstand a 70 mph rear-end collision!) and by all accounts it should do just fine in the high speed pursuit biz. Still, to many officers and fans of the cars they drive, police cruisers should be driven via the rear wheels.

That said, check out this Hyundai. A Genesis sedan to be specific, all done up in Korean police livery. Looks good, no? Especially with the blue and red lights poking out from the grill. If you're wondering, the Genesis sedan has either a 3.8-liter V6 or a more muscular 4.6-liter "Tau" V8 up front. Both motors propel the rear wheels. For police duty, we'll go ahead and assume that Hyundai went with the more potent Tau option, as South Korean coppers will no doubt make use of the 375 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque (slight asterisk - that's on premium fuel. Should you opt for regular gas, the V8 makes "just" 368 hp and 324 lb-ft of torque).

True, like the Taurus, the Genesis sedan is still a unit body, meaning that officers in pursuit won't be able to drive over curbs at 50 mph without twisting the kimchi out of the structure. However, given the Genesis sedan's better than average handling characteristics, they should have little trouble driving around said curb, and thereby bringing the perp to justice that much more quickly. No word on a super-pursuit Genesis Coupe-based cop car. Tip of the confession-extracting sap hat to Nathan!

[Source: Chosun]

Hyundai Genesis sedan gets the police package getup originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor reports for duty

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Police/Emergency

2012 Ford Police Interceptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last month, Ford pulled the cover off of its all-new 2012 Police Interceptor, the Taurus-based cop car that will be hitting the streets of America near the end of 2011. Now, we've had the chance to see the new cruiser in the flesh, and might we say, it'll look pretty menacing when it shows up in your rearview mirror.

The 2012 Police Interceptor will be available with a 3.5-liter V6, in naturally aspirated and twin-turbo EcoBoost variants. The base engine will be available with front- or all-wheel drive, while the top-end models with the turbocharged engine will only use all-wheel drive. Naturally, six-speed automatics are standard across the board, but the shifter is now column-mounted, leaving more room along the center stack for the police-spec equipment.

Inside, Ford has stripped away a good deal of the Taurus interior to make it more livable for both officers and criminals. Up front, the seats have been re-contoured to provide space for the cop's utility belt, and in back, the doors now open a full 71 degrees, making ingress and egress easier for baddies. What's more, the space between the two front seats is the exact same spec as the outgoing Crown Vic, meaning police fleets can simply transfer their old equipment into the new cars.

We're pretty eager to see these new cruisers hit the roads (so long as they aren't tailing behind us). Furthermore, Ford has plans to create a utility-oriented Police Interceptor (read: Flex-based), so we'll look for that to debut later this year. Click through the gallery below to see high-res shots of the new Police Interceptor from all angles.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor

Pics Aplenty: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor reports for duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers

Zach Bowman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Humor

Click above to peek inside the suggestion box

Ford has officially stirred up a mess of snakes by inviting consumers to submit their ideas on how to improve the company's vehicles to its website at TheFordStory.com. We've spent the better part of a day sifting through what the world has to say to Ford, and though we expected bucket loads of the web's own brand of vitriol, so far the comments were largely constructive.

We say "largely" because, as you know, the internet is still the home of LOL Cats and Chocolate Rain, and for every common sense suggestion on the site, there's one telling the company to offer an automatic pet feeder as an option. We wish we were kidding.

Ford has split its internet suggestion box into six categories ranging from performance and driving dynamics to safety, and while we dig ideas like trimming weight through the use of structural adhesives and the implementation of rear fog lights, a few themes rose above the rest to grab our attention. We've cataloged five we think Ford could do well to listen to, along with another five the company could skip all together.

Follow the jump to peek inside the suggestion box.

Continue reading Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers

Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #173 - with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports

Dan Roth — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Audi, Chrysler, Infiniti, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports joins Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth to talk about the New York Auto Show, offer insight into how CR rates autos, touch on the possible 16.4 million dollar fine for Toyota and consider the Renault/Nissan deal with Daimler that may happen this week. It's an hour and a half before we run out of steam. Enjoy!

Autoblog Podcast #173: with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports

In the Autoblog Garage:

Nissan Cube
Subaru Legacy 2.5GT (long-term intro)
Volkswagen GTI
Infiniti G37
Jeep Patriot
Mercedes CL550 4Matic

News:
New York Auto Show
$16.4 million fine possible for Toyota
Renault/Nissan and Daimler lash-up

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Dan Roth

Guest:
Jon Linkov of Consumer Reports

Runtime: 1:28:45

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #173 - with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Charting the Five-Ohs: Next-gen Cop Car Comparo

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Police/Emergency

It used to be that every full-line American automaker offered a version of its mainstream full-size sedan to make it appropriate for police duty. By the time 1996 rolled around, the Chevrolet Caprice, which was the last would-be competitor to the standard-setting Ford Crown Victoria, was discontinued, leaving the lucrative police market to the Blue Oval Boys.

The automotive industry took notice, and plans began in corporate board rooms to remedy that situation, and even a few new entrants - most notably Carbon Motors - sprung up with promising designs that eschewed the mainstream production-based sedan design.

In 2005, Dodge rolled out a factory police package for its full-size Charger sedan, and for the first time in a decade the Crown Victoria faced some stiff V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive competition. Then in 2009, Chevrolet announced that its new Zeta platform Caprice would be returning for the 2011 model year packing a strong 6.0-liter V8 of its own.

How would Ford answer this newly mounted competition? Would the aging Panther-based Crown Vic finally get an update? Nope. Instead, Ford just recently announced that it would soon offer a highly ruggedized version of its most recent Taurus sedan, optionally equipped with the stout 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine powering all four wheels as seen in the revived Taurus SHO.

We decided to see for ourselves how the three new competitors stacked up against the old guard Crown Vic on paper, and as you can see, there's little to separate each offering on the spec sheets. It should prove interesting to see how police agencies react to these choices, especially since reliability and durability will be mostly unknown factors for the first time in ages. See for yourself.


	Ford Crown Vic	Ford Taurus	Dodge Charger	Chevrolet Caprice
Availability	Forever	Late 2011	2005 - Present	2011
Type	Four-door, body on frame	Four-door, enhanced unibody	Four-door, unibody	Four-door, unibody
Engine	4.6L V8	3.5L V6 Twin-turbo 3.5L V6	5.7L Hemi V8	6.0L V8
Power	250 horsepower	263 horsepower 365 horsepower	368 horsepower	355 horsepower
Torque	297 lb-ft	249 lb-ft 350 lb-ft	395 lb-ft	385 lb-ft
Fuel Economy	14 City / 21 Highway	18 City / 28 Highway (2010 Ford Taurus FWD) 17 City / 25 Highway (2010 Ford Taurus SHO AWD)	16 City / 25 Highway	15 City / 24 Highway (2009 Pontiac G8 GT)
Driveline	Rear-Wheel	Front or All-Wheel	Rear-Wheel	Rear-Wheel
Shifter	Column	Column	Column	Console
Wheels	17-inch steel	18-inch steel	18-inch steel	18-inch steel
Brakes	Four-Wheel Discs	Four-Wheel Discs	Four-Wheel Discs	Four-Wheel Discs
Cop Brakes	Y	Y	Y	Y
Cop Suspension	Y	Y	Y	Y
Cop Cooling	Y	Y	Y	Y
Seats	Front - Cloth Rear - Vinyl Bench	Front - Cloth Rear - Vinyl Bench	Front - Cloth Rear - Cloth Bench	Front - Cloth Rear - Vinyl Bench
Interior Volume	106.4 Cubic Feet	102.3 Cubic Feet	104 Cubic Feet	112 Cubic Feet
Trunk Space	20.6 Cubic Feet	20.1 Cubic Feet	16.2 Cubic Feet	18 Cubic Feet
Special Features	Overwhelming Ubiquity Tough as nails Capable of withstanding 75-mph rear impact	Seats with downsized lateral bosters, cut-outs for utility belts Ford SYNC Safety Canopy(R) side-curtain air bag Rollover protection system Customizable steering-wheel switches Rear doors swing 71-degrees Capable of withstanding 75-mph rear impact BLIS(R) (Blind Spot Information System) Cross Traffic Alert Rear View Camera System Reverse Sensing System	160-mph (certified) calibrated speedometer AM/FM radio with CD player, changer controls, four speakers and clock with auxiliary audio input jack Load-leveling, height-control shock absorbers Independently switched red/white LED dome lamp	Seats with downsized lateral boosters, cutouts for utility belts In-dash touch-screen computer technology Driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature

Charting the Five-Ohs: Next-gen Cop Car Comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor unveiled, second utility model announced

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Specialty

2012 Ford Police Interceptor - Click above for image gallery

The Ford Crown Victoria has been the chariot of choice (well necessity really) for police officers and cabbies all over America since the demise of its numero uno competitor, the Chevrolet Caprice, back in the mid-'90s. The Crown Vic and its ancestors have been around with a minimum of mechanical changes since roughly the same time as the Model T, or at least it seems that way. However, in recent years the Crown Vic has been increasingly challenged by the Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Impala. Even more troubling for Ford is the impending arrival of a new rear-wheel-drive drive police car from Chevrolet based on the departed Pontiac G8.

At a private fleet sales event in Las Vegas today, Ford finally took the wraps off a new generation Police Interceptor model based on the 2010 Taurus. The new car has big shoes to fill as the Crown Vic has accounted for 70 percent of all police vehicle sales over the past five years. Read on for more on the new Police Interceptor.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor unveiled, second utility model announced

Officially Official: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor unveiled, second utility model announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Work, Ford, Specialty

Will the new Police Interceptor be a toughened Taurus SHO? - click above for high-res image gallery

Just a quick note: The Detroit News is reporting that the next Ford Police Interceptor will be based on the same platform as the Taurus. For you platform geeks out there, that's the Ford D3 chassis that underpins everything from the the Lincoln MKS to the Volvo XC90 to the Ford Flex (though the Flex and the Lincoln MKT ride on a lengthened version called D4). Yesterday, we explained that a new Police Interceptor is showing up tomorrow (Friday, March 12) in Las Vegas and that it probably won't be riding on the Panther platform. Regardless, the concept will be unveiled at the Vegas Motor Speedway.

There's still no official word from Ford on the matter, however. However, if the new Interceptor is in fact Taurus-based, that means no rear-wheel drive Falcon in the United States. Which is a definite bummer. Also, while there are all-wheel drive variants of the D3 platform - and we think it's safe to assume that if the new Police Interceptor is D3-based it will be AWD - it lacks frame rails. Has Ford figured out a way to make a unibody car tough enough for police work? We shall see. And if the new PI is a Taurus, will it be based on a modified 365-horsepower SHO? We'd wager yes. Let's just hope they fit some bigger brakes for cop duty, eh?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: The Detroit News]

DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Ford Taurus SHO wagon is the apple of our eye

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Ford, Design/Style

Many of us who sit around the Autoblog campfire every day are fans of station wagons. We love cars and love the idea of having some extra utility without giving up the generally superior driving dynamics of cars versus SUVs or crossovers. We also like the idea - if not necessarily the execution - of the Ford Taurus SHO.

Being aware of that fact, one of our readers put his Photoshop skills to work and created the rendering you see here of a SHO wagon. Ford, of course, has never officially built an official SHO wagon - either with the current model or with its predecessors. Naturally, there have been some aftermarket and homebuilt conversions over the years, and even at least one that we know of that was built inside Dearborn.

Of course, building a wagon off of previous models was substantially easier because Ford actually marketed a wagon bodystyle in the first couple of Taurus iterations. Not so with today's massive-yet-handsome sedan. Judging by reader Josiah's rendering above, that's a real shame, because the 2010 Taurus could really put some of its continental bulk to good load-lugging effect with an estate variant. Unfortunately, we'll likely never see anything like this slick wagon produced. The closest we figure to get is an Ecoboost Flex, which isn't exactly a bad alternative. Thanks for the great rendering, Josiah!

[Source: JosiahLacolla.com]

Rendered Speculation: Ford Taurus SHO wagon is the apple of our eye originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2010: Bad Timing Dept. - Prius MotorWeek Drivers' Choice winner; Toyota declines JDM award

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award winner for Best of the Year

By February of each year, we are always right in the middle of awards season, and no, we're not talking about the Golden Globes, Grammys or Oscars. We are, of course, referring to Car and Truck of the Year awards, Ten Best lists and the like. A brace of trophies had already been handed out at the Detroit Auto Show and here at the Chicago Auto Show, a few more champions were crowned. As you might imagine, Toyota is usually an oft-mentioned brand during this time of year, but we figured this year might be a little different.

Coming on the heels of several high profile recall announcements by Toyota, one might expect the once-bulletproof Japanese carmaker to at least get more careful consideration when handing out the hardware. Well, even if they have gone through closer scrutiny, that hasn't stopped multiple outlets from still rewarding them for their products. Television show MotorWeek just announced their Drivers' Choice Award winners, and the Toyota Prius is their choice for best Eco-Friendly vehicle. It also claimed the title of Best of the Year overall, making it their top pick of the 2010 models.

Other category winners are listed below and there's a long press release after the jump that includes a statement by MotorWeek host and producer John Davis. While it was probably difficult to change their minds so late in the game, the statement by Davis explaining their rationale in choosing the Prius seems to have been written some time before Toyota started making so many headlines: "If you can only buy one car for your family, the 2010 Prius is the one," said Davis. "The Prius is a no-compromise vehicle that offers impressive efficiency, cutting edge technology, smart packaging and truly iconic styling."

While all of that might still apply, it's bad timing if nothing else to be handing out a top award to the Prius. In that spirit, Davis added an additional statement to clarify and defend the show's selection. In it he explained that while MotorWeek had two different Prius hybrids in their care for several months, nothing ever went wrong with them and that the show is confident that the problems will be satisfactorily addressed by Toyota.

MotorWeek was certainly not alone on that front however, as Toyota has recently been lauded by several other organizations as well. In Japan, for instance, Toyota was honored with a government energy efficiency award. Interestingly, the company chose to decline that award, though, saying that "the honor is not appropriate for a car hit by massive recalls," according to MSNBC.

Without further ado, here are the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award winners:

Best Small Car: Mazda3
Best Family Sedan: Ford Taurus
Best Luxury Sedan: Buick LaCrosse
Best Small Utility: Chevrolet Equinox
Best Large Utility: Honda Pilot
Best Pickup Truck: Ram 1500/2500/3500
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Prius
Best Sport Sedan: BMW 3-Series
Best Sport Coupe: Chevrolet Camaro
Best Performance Car: Audi S4
Best Convertible: Nissan 370Z Roadster
Best Dream Machine: Audi R8 5.2 FSI/Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Sources: Motorweek via EarthTimes, MSNBC]

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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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