John Kennedy Ford Conshohocken

The return of the value leader 2010 Ford Taurus

Wayne Scraba / autoMedia.com

The Ford Taurus made its debut to much fanfare in 1985 (as a 1986 model). It was perhaps a risky move for Ford. Not only was it Ford's first big foray into midsize front-wheel-drive cars, the styling was like nothing else. In an era where crisply folded lines were the norm, the "soft" styling was decidedly different. So different, some pundits declared it would prove to be an outright sales disaster. They couldn't have been more wrong. The Taurus (and to a lesser degree, sistership Mercury Sable) went on to dominate the automotive sales charts. Since its launch in 1986, Ford sold over 6.7 million Taurus's worldwide as of 2007, making it the fifth bestselling North American nameplate in Ford's history. Only the F-150, Escort, Model T, and Mustang have sold more units. Between 1992 and 1996, the Taurus was the best-selling car in America.

A Taurus Like Never Before
Fast forward to today. While a re-badged, re-engineered and then facelifted Ford 500 has been sold as a Taurus for a couple of years, a vibrant, new Taurus for the model year 2010 has just made its debut. And, like the original accomplished two and a half decades ago, this car is set to make waves. Here's why:

The styling is unique. And, just like the original, Ford stylists broke new ground: Front fenders are pronounced, with headlamps and markers that wrap around the flanks. A deeply chiseled character line runs from the wheel arch to the end of the back door. This deeply cut character line makes another appearance aft of the rear wheel arch. Like the headlamps, the taillights swathe around the body sides. The deck lid incorporates a subtle hump-almost as if there's a restrained spoiler built in. The roofline is lowered and somewhat reminiscent of the first chiseled-look fastbacks Ford pioneered way back when in 1963. Most interesting though is the wheel placement. Rolling stock is pushed to the edges of the body sides. That provides the Taurus with a brawny, extremely capable, athletic look.

Interior Comfort and Features
Open the door and immediately you know there's more to it than just a capable look. This is now a driver's car. Case-in-point: Bench seating is banished. Instead, the office is based upon a dual pod dash layout that recalls Mustang from almost every generation. The center stack slopes downward into an integrated console, effectively creating a five-passenger sedan. And it's decidedly Euro. Clamber behind the wheel (which includes an array of fingertip controls) and it's clear this car was built to use. Controls are logical and fall quickly into place. The shifter is offset toward the driver. The large high-tech, ambient lit speedometer is flanked by a large 7,000 rpm tachometer on the left and a combination temperature gauge-fuel gauge-gear indicator on the right. The front seats are deeply bolstered. An integrated armrest on the center console coupled with a deeply sculpted door panel locks the driver firmly in place.

Standard SE-equipped cars feature a six-way power, manual recline and lumbar driver seat. SEL models include dual zone climate control, SIRIUS Satellite radio and an anti-theft perimeter alarm. On Limited Series models, the seating moves to perforated leather seating surfaces and 10- way power with integrated lumbar controls for both driver and passenger. On all models, the split folding rear seat is a three-passenger bench (in truth, a pair of deeply formed near-buckets with an occasional passenger seat between them).

A big part of the interior offerings in the new Taurus is the "Multi-Contour Front Seat" package. The high-tech seating system is based around seven air cushions that pad the driver and passenger's entire backs and bottom sides, including three for lumbar support, four for lateral support and four for the seat pad. The seat package includes what Ford calls "Active Motion" technology, which is actually a built-in massage system that's designed to lessen back pain on long trips. Essentially, computer controls create the motion by individually inflating and deflating the bladders in the seat pan. Bottom line here is that over the long haul, you simply don't experience body cramping.

Make no mistake, the Taurus has moved upward in both capability and size. There's plenty of room for 6-foot (plus) drivers, and even a pro football linebacker won't have too many complaints about room in the back seat. Move to the rear of the car and open the trunk: The liftover height is comfortably shallow but, given the tall flanks and the purposely raised decklid, you'll be met with a space of cavernous proportions. Something else you'll be left with when you examine the new Taurus is the look and feel of the trim. Fit and finish is impressive.

Power and Performance
Using Ford's newest (optional)signature "Intelligent Access with Push Button Start" arrangement in our test car to bring the base engine to life, we knew we were in for a treat. The standard Duratec 3.5-liter V-6 produces a healthy 263 horsepower along with 249 pound-feet of torque. The new Taurus is front-wheel drive, with all-wheel-drive available as an option. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission offered while SEL and Limited versions include a six-speed "SelectShift" automatic transmission with paddle shift activation.

The 2010 Taurus body structure has been stiffened considerably while chassis underpinnings are similar to the architecture found on the Lincoln MKS, with struts incorporated on the nose and a multi-link, fully-independent arrangement in the rear. Suspension roll stiffness is increased and the steering response is much improved. The result is a highly capable full-size sedan that's surefooted and comfortable to drive in a wide range of road, weather and traffic conditions.

One of the factors that pushed the original Taurus to the forefront in sales was the inherent value, perpetuated by a long list of standard and reasonably priced optional equipment. The 2010 model follows that value leader blueprint by incorporating items such as six standard airbags, "AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control" traction control, ABS brakes, rain sensing wipers, projector beam halogen headlights and other technology-laden hardware as standard equipment. Optionally available is a Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert system (essentially, rearand side-facing radar to alert drivers to impending situations). Additionally, the SYNC® voiceactivated communication and entertainment system includes a 911 Assist? enhancement that will place a call to a local emergency operator in the event of an airbag deployment. Twelve-speaker, premium sound systems from Sony® are available along with a SIRIUS® Satellite radio system, as are heated and cooled seats, an adaptive cruise control and a power rear sunshade.

More Technology
There's more too: Ford offers a number of technologies on the Taurus that are definitely exclusive. Case in point is "MyKey?." MyKey is an easily programmable system that can limit the car's top speed to 80 mph, and/or limit the stereo's volume up to 44 percent of maximum, and set a series of sustaining chime if the seat seat belts aren't in use. The MyKey system can also permanently enable the traction control system and set chimes for when the car reaches 45, 55 or 65 mph. So what's the purpose? Think young drivers. It's a clever way for the safety-conscious parents to limit certain aspects of motoring and simultaneously ensure that specific rules are being followed.

Another major technology Ford is incorporating into the 2010 Taurus is "BLIS" or "Blind Spot Information System." Essentially, when another vehicle takes a position within the mirror blind spot, a light flashes on the A-pillar warning you not to change lanes. It works by way of a small digital camera mounted beneath the sideview mirror that continuously monitors the blind spot area and through use of a computer, calculates changes between frames.

One more piece of smart car technology the folks from Ford offer on the new Taurus is "Adaptive Cruise Control." With Adaptive Cruise Control, the driver selects a desired interval to follow traffic along with the desired cruise speed. When slower traffic is encountered the "ACC" alters the Taurus speed to maintain the desired interval. Speed is controlled by ACC with moderate braking when needed. When traffic clears, ACC resumes the desired cruise speed. The driver can override the system by braking at any time.

As you can see, the 2010 Taurus is not only new, it's a feature laden motor vehicle (and plenty of those features are exclusive). But take one drive in the new 2010 Ford Taurus and you'll immediately discover that this isn't your Father's Taurus. This is a serious driver's car meant to get you from point A to point B in the most expedient, comfortable, safest means possible. Try one on for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

"The SHO Is Back!"
From an enthusiast's perspective, one of the most endearing of all Taurus models had to be the special SHO version. The original, which debuted in 1989 used a multi-valve, multiple cam powerplant co-developed with motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha. With the 2010 model, the SHO returns, but with a serious difference: In place of the old high-strung, high-revving 220-hp engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that produces a very impressive 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque (based on Ford projected data). Gasoline direct injection and staged turbocharging are employed technologies. As a result, the powerband is both wide (1500-5500 rpm) and extremely flexible. That translates into power on demand almost anywhere. And Ford has harnessed it with a paddle-shifted six-speed "SelectShift Automatic?" transmission coupled to an all-wheel drive system. Electric actuated power steering is standard while the suspension is tuned for high performance, complete with stiffer shocks and springs, large diameter anti-roll bars and revised suspension pickup points. On top of it, Ford also offers a SHO Performance Package including performance brake-pad material and re-tuned stability control, sport-calibrated steering, along with 20-inch wheels shod with sticky performance tires (standard SHO wheels are almost as large at 19-inches in diameter).

Aside from subtle badging, the exterior of the SHO includes a deck lid-mounted spoiler, dual chrome exhaust tips and a unique grille finish. The SHO's office sports leather and Miko-suede trimmed seats, a perforated leather grip steering wheel along with aluminum trim on various interior components (including the pedals). The bottom line here is, once inside, you won't forget you're in command of a very special sedan. The SHO option list includes the previously mentioned SHO Performance Package as well as a rearview camera, a voice-activated navigation system with a 10GB hard drive music storage system, a top-of-the-line Sony surround sound system and multi-contour seats with a massage function.

The Super High Output Taurus is back and, like the original, it certainly promises to raise the performance bar. We can't wait to sample one.