Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford Taurus X to ride off into the sunset in February]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-taurus-x-to-ride-off-into-the-sunset-in-february/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-taurus-x-to-ride-off-into-the-sunset-in-february/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-taurus-x-to-ride-off-into-the-sunset-in-february/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Taurus X

When the Freestyle failed to capture the attention of the crossover-buying public, Ford took action. Designers slapped a three bar grille on the front end, got creative with the headlights and upped the power with a Duratec 3.5L V6 engine. And they changed the Freestyle's name to the Taurus X. Well, either nobody noticed or they just didn't give a damn. Ford is finally set to end the roomy crossover's misery in February 2009 when the last model is built at Ford's Chicago plant. Ford cited in a brief release that ditching the Taurus X will enable the Dearborn-based automaker to focus its attention on the seven-passenger Flex. Since the Flex is both cooler and better than the Taurus X in every way, we'd say that was a good call. Farewell, Taurus X. We'll miss your, uh...13 cup holders.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X


[Source: Ford]

Ford Taurus X to ride off into the sunset in February originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford taurus xFordTaurusXtaurus x cancelledTaurusXCancelledThu, 04 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercury Sable and Taurus X dead next year?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/mercury-sable-and-taurus-x-dead-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/mercury-sable-and-taurus-x-dead-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/mercury-sable-and-taurus-x-dead-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Mercury, after nearly being introduced to oblivion, was rescued from the void because Ford needs a brand that could be devoted to small cars. The Ford brand, still fighting off oblivion itself, has recently been devoted to fresh, new designs that provide consumers the flair and features they've been looking for.

Two of the hitches in those plans are the Mercury Sable and the Taurus X. The Sable, sister of the Ford Taurus, has remained so unloved that even Jill Wagner couldn't save it (through no fault of her own). In these days of the Flex, Edge and Escape, the Taurus X is a conveyance from the Myocene era. To paraphrase Sesame Street, two of these things are not like the other... and so they are being killed, according to The Detroit News.

Ford hasn't confirmed the demise of the two cars. However, sales of both are in decline, they fall outside the missions of their respective brands, and Ford is furiously retooling plants and planning new rollouts. In light of all that, the real question might be: why put off until tomorrow...

[Source: The Detroit News]

Mercury Sable and Taurus X dead next year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford taurusford taurus xFordTaurusFordTaurusXmercurymercury sableMercurySablesabletaurus xTaurusXMon, 11 Aug 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Ford Taurus X cancelled after MY 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/rumormill-ford-taurus-x-cancelled-after-my-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/rumormill-ford-taurus-x-cancelled-after-my-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/rumormill-ford-taurus-x-cancelled-after-my-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above for more high-res images of the 2008 Ford Taurus X

After a quick consult with some tea leaves and a few supplier sources, Jalopnik's Auto Insider is calling it: the Taurus X will be dead after the 2009 model year. While not a revelation to make you run out and stock up on bottled water, this possible early demise of the Taurus X is the latest example of how far off the mark the original Five-Hundred sedan and Freestyle were with consumers, and how Ford was ultimately unable to correct its aim.

The original 2005 Five-Hundred and Freestyle debuted to a slow sales start and were around until 2007, when then virgin CEO Alan Mulally made the decision to resurrect the Taurus nameplate on the refreshened 2008 models. Along with their new names of Taurus and Taurus X, each got corporate faces with three-bar grilles as well as the automaker's new 3.5L V6. Ford must've thought sales would pick up in earnest as the 2008 models were both more interesting to look and more powerful than the vehicles they replaced. But sales didn't pick up and Mulally recently announced another major change for the Taurus: a completely new version for next year that he calls, "the one we should have made originally." According to Jalopnik's informed insider, the Taurus X model is apparently not included in those plans.

It may be sad to see a vehicle cancelled that was supremely competent in most respects, but Ford's CUV lineup is already overflowing with product that overlaps, and soon the seven-passenger Flex will muscle in and demand some marketshare. Ford, of course, has not officially commented on the fate of the Taurus X, but if the tea leaves turn out to be true, we say farewell to the four-year-old CUV from Ford.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X


[Source: Jalopnik, Photo by Scott Olson/Getty]

Rumormill: Ford Taurus X cancelled after MY 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 ford taurus x2008FordTaurusXford taurus xFordTaurusXtaurus x cancelledtaurus x killedTaurusXCancelledTaurusXKilledTue, 19 Feb 2008 15:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford prices 2008 Taurus X from $27,365]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/21/ford-prices-2008-taurus-x-from-27-365/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/21/ford-prices-2008-taurus-x-from-27-365/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/21/ford-prices-2008-taurus-x-from-27-365/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image for the complete high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Taurus X

Ford has announced that the new 2008 Taurus X crossover will carrry a $27,364 base price, including destination charges, when it arrives on dealer lots this summer. The new price a bit more than the $26,670 base price of the current 2007 Freestyle SEL FWD, also including destination charges. While the Taurus X may cost more, it at least comes with a few upgrades to make the additional dineros worth it. For one, you get a shiny chrome badge that says "Taurus" on the back to replace the fugly "Freestyle" badge on current models. If that's not worth the extra cost of admission, Ford has also added its new 263-hp 3.5L V6 to the Taurus X, replacing the underpowered 3.0L V6 in the Freestyle its replacing. Plus, the Taurus X has dropped the Freestyle's CVT transmission, instead gaining a six-speed automatic to handle the new engine's extra ponies. Finally, the new Taurus X just looks more interesting than the current Freestyle with the corporate three-bar grille, new taillights and an updated interior. Honestly, we feel the Taurus X is a better bargain than the current Freestyle, and expect its sales number to either hold steady or grow depending on whether or not Ford decides to actually back up the vehicle with some marketing this time.

[Source: Automotive News]

Related posts:
Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled
Ford's Mark Fields announces Bold Move: Bring back Taurus & S...
The ultimate Taurus rental... just in case
Ford prices 2008 Taurus at $23,995

Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X

Ford prices 2008 Taurus X from $27,365 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2007 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>base priceBasePricecar buyingCarBuyingford freestyleford taurus XFordFreestyleFordTaurusXmsrppricingMon, 21 May 2007 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-2008-ford-taurus-x-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-2008-ford-taurus-x-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-2008-ford-taurus-x-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , ,


High-res gallery of live and press pics available by clicking above image

Today in Chicago, Ford Motor Company's Cisco Codina unveiled the new Freestyle Taurus X. As we told you in our preview post, the Taurus X loses the Freestyle name but gains the Edge's face. It's a simple act that helps build a familial look for Ford's crossovers. And just like the new Sable and Taurus, it will get the 260-horsepower V6 and additional content like the Microsoft co-developed Ford Sync. Unlike the Sable and Taurus, the X gets three row of seats, one-touch flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate. All three vehicles will be in dealers by this summer.

At breakfast this morning, Mark Fields helped explain the switch back to the Taurus (and Sable) monikers. "Taurus has been an icon for Ford's family sedan for more than two decades, and it's time to return this powerful name to where it belongs. Consumer awareness of the Taurus name is double the Five Hundred that it's replacing, and awareness of Sable is triple that of Montego." Makes sense to us. The details may have changed, but this remains one handsome wagon/crossover. Sort of an SRX with a Blue Oval. Pretty sexy for this segment, and a good sharp alternative to the Edge's softer silhouette. Read more details about the "new" Taurus X in the full press release after the jump, and check out the gallery here, where you'll see a Taurus X that looks particularly good in all black.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled

Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cisco CodinaCiscoCodinaFord FreestyleFord Taurus XFordFreestyleFordTaurusXMark FieldsMarkFieldsWed, 07 Feb 2007 14:57:00 EST