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

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

2013 Ford Taurus

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

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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Report: Ford Taurus Police Interceptor to hit streets with 2013 updates

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

2013 ford taurus

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

2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor 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

2013 Ford Taurus

Gallery: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor

[Source: USA Today]

Report: 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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2013 Ford Taurus SHO looks better, but no bump in power [w/video]

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

2013 Ford Taurus SHO

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

Those of you hoping for a 400-horsepower Ford Taurus SHO are about to be severely disappointed. The 2013 Taurus SHO will continue to produce 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque from its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Sure, that’s still plenty of oomph for the SHO, but with rumors of a higher-output version now dashed, all we can say is, “shucks.”

Let’s not dwell on that, though. There are still plenty of improvements for the 2013 SHO to talk about.

Much like the rest of the refreshed Taurus line, the SHO features styling tweaks at both the front and rear. Unlike the base model, the SHO uses a unique mesh grille pattern up front and adds a new rear spoiler out back, as well as chrome-tipped dual exhaust pipes. A new 20-inch dark wheel option is also part of the SHO package, matching the black finish found on the mirrors and body trim. We like what we see.

There may not be a bump in power, but the 2013 Taurus SHO does get a new performance package option that is said to improve the car’s performance prowess. Most notably, a 3.16:1 final drive ratio means initial acceleration is enhanced, and revised suspension tuning features new dampers and springs specific to this package. Additionally, the electronic steering system has been tuned, the stability control now has a track mode with a true ‘off’ setting and performance brake pads are now available with unique, “track-tuned” calipers. Still, we’d love to see an additional 40-ish horsepower.

Hit the jump for the official SHO details, and be sure to click through our high-res image gallery to see the tweaked design for yourself. Ford’s B-roll footage of the SHO is available for your viewing pleasure post-jump, as well.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO

2013 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2013 Ford Taurus SHO looks better, but no bump in power [w/video]

2013 Ford Taurus SHO looks better, but no bump in power [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video]

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

2013 Ford Taurus

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

Upon taking the wraps off of the 2013 Ford Taurus, Derrick Kuzak, the automaker’s group vice president of global product development, said the styling tweaks were wholly influenced by the new Audi A6. Sure, the new front fascia and LED square around the taillamps are total Audi knock-offs, but what’s important to learn from this is that Ford is using the A6 as its target for the Taurus, and with a host of updates for the 2013 model year, Ford’s flagship gets one step closer to being an Audi alternative.

All in, the design tweaks give the Taurus an added sense of aggressiveness, though the car is still immediately recognizable as a successor to the all-new flagship that debuted for the 2010 model year. The trapezoidal grille has been tweaked, and now features active air shutters to improve overall fuel economy. The hood has been fully resculpted, and out back, tweaked taillamps with LED running lights blend into a slightly revised rear fascia. Dual exhaust tips are now standard across the board, as are new 20-inch wheel options.

The big enhancements for 2013 are the Taurus’ powertrains. Ford’s trusty 3.5-liter V6 still serves as the base engine, though its output has been bumped up to 290 horsepower – a full 27 more horses than the outgoing car. New for 2013, though, is the addition of the automaker’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, rated at 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. With the EcoBoost engine underhood, the Taurus is estimated to achieve up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

Inside, there’s a new steering wheel and more soft-touch materials have been added to the dash and center console, which now uses the automaker’s MyFord Touch infotainment system. Other new enhancements include the addition of Ford’s curve control system – first seen on the Explorer – that enhances cornering capability and braking control. Speaking of brakes, the Taurus also gets a larger brake master cylinder, meaning braking feel should be substantially better.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date in early 2012, and while the 2013 Taurus might not be a perfect competitor to Audi’s A6, it’s sure to offer similar content (and style) at a much lower price-point. Check out all the details for yourself in the press release after the jump, as well as some B-roll footage of the new car. We’ll have plenty of live photos and impressions from the car’s official New York Auto Show debut, as well.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video]

2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Creative man turns Ford Taurus Wagon into reverse snowplow

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Humor

Ford Taurus Wagon snow plow

2000 Ford Taurus Wagon snow plow – Click above to watch the video after the break

Some may call it lazy; we call it resourceful. Tired of shoveling snow and apparently unable (or unwilling) to purchase a truck-mounted plow or walk-behind snow blower, Jeff Schneider of Minnesota did the only logical thing he could: mount a blade to the back bumper of his Ford Taurus Wagon. Ingenuity – It’s the American way, no?

It seems that the little modification did the trick… mostly. In heavy, wet snow, the two-wheel drive (we’d say front-wheel drive, but it is backwards, after all) Taurus just can’t generate the kind of traction needed to push a few hundred pounds of the fluffy white stuff any real distance. But if the snow is the soft and powdery stuff, well, look out, snow plows.

See Schneider’s ingenious solution to the Minnesota winter in the video after the break.

[Source: Associated Press]

Continue reading Video: Creative man turns Ford Taurus Wagon into reverse snowplow

Video: Creative man turns Ford Taurus Wagon into reverse snowplow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford now offering custom graphics for Mustang, Taurus is next

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

2011 Mustang 5.0 convertible with 'clear hood' graphic applique

Ford graphics package for the 2011 Mustang – Click above for high-res image gallery

Heads up, pony fans; Ford has just released the details on its new graphic program for the 2011 Mustang. Just like with the pint-sized Fiesta, the company will let you slather the muscle car in any number of graphics packages to suit your tastes. The designs vary from tasteful stripes and accents to some cringetastic pieces like the “clear hood” 5.0 shown above and various tribal decals. Jersey Shore, here we come.

Ford has priced the most of the vinyl packages at $299, though prices vary depending on how complicated the design is and how much vinyl is used in the process. Near as we can tell, the priciest of the lot are the reverse stripes that cover the majority of the top of the car in the sticky stuf. That package will set you back close to $1,000.

You can even pick from a number of colors to suit your vehicle, including a carbon-fiber look material. Please, for the love of the ponies, stay away from that one. You can play around with the configurator yourself at the Ford site. Word has it that the next vehicle to get the vinyl treatment will be the Taurus starting next month. Stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang Graphics

[Source: Ford]

Ford now offering custom graphics for Mustang, Taurus is next originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: More evidence of 400-hp Taurus SHO?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Ford

2012 Ford Taurus SHO When we reported last month that Ford may push the Taurus SHO up to 400 horsepower, it caused quite a stir in the comments. Speaking at the annual SHO Convention held this year in Dearborn, Steve Ling, Ford’s North American car marketing manager told us, “365 horsepower is good. 400 is better.” Words are one thing, but new spy shots from ace photog Brenda Priddy and her gang confirm that Ford is definitely planning something for the 2012 Taurus SHO.

This Limited-badged Taurus caught hot weather testing in the South West is pretty easy to spot as a SHO. The SHO-specific wheels are the dead giveaway, but out back we also see the SHO’s two large tailpipes poking out of a modified rear valence. What’s particularly interesting is the car’s front end, which is heavily wrapped, most likely to obscure design changes to the 2012 SHO’s front end that will further separate its look from standard Taurus models.

While we there’s no evidence in these spy shots confirming that Ford is pushing the car’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 up to 400 horsepower, the fact this car was caught hot weather testing could indicate that engineers are there to see how a more powerful version of this engine acts when the mercury skyrockets. That said, they could also just be testing how any changes to the front end design affect engine cooling for the current engine.

We’re also hoping they’re testing new brakes for the SHO, because the current car’s stoppers have enough trouble hauling down this heavy sleeper sedan without another 35 hp making matters worse.

[Source: SEMA.org]

Spy Shots: More evidence of 400-hp Taurus SHO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

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

Blue Oval execs rolled out the red carpet for Taurus SHO owners last week in Dearborn, MI to welcome 100 privately owned examples and many more enthusiasts to town for the 19th annual national Taurus SHO convention. Ford would love nothing more than to win the approval of the already rabid SHO enthusiast community, many of whom appreciate the performance potential of two turbos and all-wheel drive but aren’t necessarily on board with the new super-sized model. To that end, Ford dropped some not-so-subtle hints on what could be in store for the next SHO, a model rumored to be on deck for 2013.

“365 horsepower is good. 400 is better.”

“The SHO is at the top [of Ford’s performance sedan lineup] and we’re going to keep it there,” said Steve Ling, Ford’s North American car marketing manager during a Tuesday lunch presentation at Ford World Headquarters. “365 horsepower is good. 400 is better.”

Advanced Engine Design and Development Engineer Brett Hinds spoke at length about the EcoBoost V6 during the Tuesday presentation, noting that the 3.5-liter engine had the potential for considerably more power, as we’ll likely see later this year between the fenders of the F-150. That version of the EcoBoost will definitely produce more torque than the SHO’s mill, but if the rumors of 400 horsepower for the F-150 are true, a more muscular SHO could indeed be just around the corner.

Gallery: 2010 Taurus SHO convention highlights

Continue reading Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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