2010 Ford Taurus Officially Unveiled

Sprint XR8 · 11-01-2009, 11:48 PM

Ford has today unveiled its 2010 Taurus full-size sedan and it seems appropriate to take a closer look. With Ford Australia confirming late last year that it was hanging onto the Australian I6 engine, and not re-engineering the current Falcon to accept Ford’s range of Duratec V6 engines, it got us thinking…

If Ford was intending to continue with its development of the Australian RWD Falcon, wouldn’t it be spending money re-engineering it to accept the Duratec V6? Is it possible that Ford Australia’s move back to the I6 engine is the most obvious clue yet that it will ultimately cease manufacturing the local Falcon?

Has Ford already decided that the Australian-designed and built Falcon will be consigned to history, when the current model has run its course? Which begs the question, what would Ford Australia replace the locally built Falcon with?

Enter the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/166...omment-page-1/

Buzz Box · 11-01-2009, 11:54 PM

I must say you hear this rumour getting more and more traction as time goes on.........

Although my understanding is the Taurus is like an American Mondeo? So Europe has the Mondeo and USA Taurus.......

(I do understand they are different cars but the position in line up and size and status within the company and flagships etc)

TC200six · 12-01-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz Box

I must say you hear this rumour getting more and more traction as time goes on.........

Although my understanding is the Taurus is like an American Mondeo? So Europe has the Mondeo and USA Taurus.......

(I do understand they are different cars but the position in line up and size and status within the company and flagships etc)

When it comes to size, I think the Taurus is more like the American Falcon counterpart, (only in FWD). While the Ford Fusion is more like an American Mondeo counterpart.

Dave_au · 11-01-2009, 11:54 PM

Quite conservative, looks like the bastard love child of a Camry and a Mondeo.

**Elks** · 12-01-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

..... looks like the bastard love child of a Camry and a Mondeo.

Ugly sucker of a thing.

The 1st question I would ask is what benefit does it bring to the table over an FG? NVH, Handling, Performance, Interior space?

The only real benefit FWD brings is in drive-train packaging to create interior space particularly for front seat passengers. In a small car the benefit real, in a medium car the benefit is dubious, in a large car the benefit is outweiged by the traditional FWD drawbacks. and with the front axle so far back it must be nose heavy.

Check the photos at the bottom of the link in post 1 especially front seat space. Looks like a Camry to me. Sell it alongside an FG and it will go the way of its predecessor.

My 2c

snappy · 12-01-2009, 12:54 AM

its got potential at least there's a awd option

Ohio XB · 12-01-2009, 04:55 AM

Certainly better than the current version. The list of technology in this thing is extensive!

The next gen US Fusion and Mondeo are being designed on the same platform so I don't think the Mondeo is in the same segment as the Taurus as the Taurus is a "Full-sized" car, like the Crown Vic.

Steve

MethodX · 12-01-2009, 05:30 AM

Looks quite nice on the outside.
Prefer the Falcon interior though.

I like the interceptor/60's big Ford styled tail lights.

The Monty · 12-01-2009, 06:18 AM

Looks very mondeoish. But in saying that, thats not such a bad thing. Good thing is that there is an AWD version, but I dont like the interior.

GS608 · 12-01-2009, 07:25 AM

it won't sell, its too american, inside looks worse than the commodores and the exterior isnt much better..

they can't dump the falcon for obvious reasons, what happens to the ute and territory?
they're dreaming if they think that thing will cover the loss of sales from 3 models..

fairlane71 · 12-01-2009, 07:39 AM

If I had the money, I'd buy that in AWD over a a G6E.

MethodX · 12-01-2009, 07:50 AM

Rumors are getting stronger of a new Tuarus SHO.
with 340–350-hp, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6.

Sounds promising

FPV8U · 12-01-2009, 07:34 AM

Looks better than the last few efforts, hopefully it sells well.

atec77 · 12-01-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Looks better than the last few efforts, hopefully it sells well.

Ugly , interior is to "ghey" and it drives the wrong end... I can just see us driving across the Simpson in this ( choke)

damir05 · 12-01-2009, 07:37 AM

its looks really good only thing i dont like is gear leaver its retarded reminds me of old laser autos , also wonder how would sports version look like

Danny · 02-02-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damir05

its looks really good only thing i dont like is gear leaver its retarded reminds me of old laser autos , also wonder how would sports version look like

You've clearly not seen the DSG gear selector in a Mk5 VW Golf GTi/R32, or Passat

I like the look. Chunky and classy.

As for the styling, it's hard to believe that stubborn ole Dearborn actually looked to Ford UK's Kinetic design language for inspiration. Generally speaking Ford US ALWAYS ignore the UK stuff, preferring to build everything in Big ole hick town seppo blocky big grilled style.

This car is a genuine breath of fresh air. Jury's out on the interior and some minor exterior details though. Not bad for a Ford US vehicle though.

Rooster · 02-02-2009, 09:09 PM

:

4Vman · 12-01-2009, 08:23 AM

Has an "Audi" feel to its styling..
Its available AWD too.. if its a genuinely large sized sedan and they can fit an 8 under the bonnet the Falcon is in real trouble....

MethodX · 12-01-2009, 08:28 AM

V8 4WD Falcon , yes cool.

If they attempted a V8 FWD, theyd deserve to get shot. lol

Bud Bud · 12-01-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Has an "Audi" feel to its styling..
Its available AWD too.. if its a genuinely large sized sedan and they can fit an 8 under the bonnet the Falcon is in real trouble....

I agree! But having said that, I will go one further and say that this effort even actually looks like a modern Falcon crossed with maybe an Audi or Beema, in a subtle (good) way. I think that the FG Falcon could of easily leaned towards this styling in the first place.

**Luke Plaizier** · 12-01-2009, 08:43 AM

They've had a FWD V8 in the past.

I struggle with the comment that the 'Taurus is a full sized car like the Crown Vic'. The Falcon was much bigger than the Taurus when it was here, and the Crown Vic is the same size again above the Falcon. I can, however, understand that the Mondeo and Taurus might be built on the same platform. Can anyone say Camry and Aurion clone anyone?

Lukeyson

**Fordman1** · 12-01-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

The Falcon was much bigger than the Taurus when it was here, and the Crown Vic is the same size again above the Falcon.

Lukeyson

The Taurus was longer and had more interior space than the Falcon.

Ohio XB · 13-01-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

They've had a FWD V8 in the past.

I struggle with the comment that the 'Taurus is a full sized car like the Crown Vic'. The Falcon was much bigger than the Taurus when it was here, and the Crown Vic is the same size again above the Falcon. I can, however, understand that the Mondeo and Taurus might be built on the same platform. Can anyone say Camry and Aurion clone anyone?

Lukeyson

The Taurus name was applied to the Five-Hundred, which was a full sized car. Before that the Taurus was a mid-sized car.

The 2010 Taurus is built from the Lincoln MKS platform, which is a full-sized car.

I don't think there will be a V8 in this. The twin turbo V6 EcoBoost engine will be in it. That's rated at about 355 HP.

Steve

Ohio XB · 13-01-2009, 05:54 AM

Wow. It is interesting to see a number of people here who feel now that Ford has taken the cover off the US market 2010 Taurus that this is already on it's way to Australia to replace the Falcon.

I may be naive since I don't have the experience others here have had as far as Ford's past actions in cramming cars down Aussie's throats, but I haven't heard anything yet about this being "global" architecture.

This car does not have a suspension that can compete with the Falcon, I wouldn't think. The Falcon seems much more performance oriented. It certainly has the heritage. The Taurus has always been a family sedan with one short run performance model, the SHO. I don't think that the Taurus, especially FWD, would be able to even attempt to pretend to be a replacement for the Falcon.

I hope I am right.

Steve

4Vman · 13-01-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

Wow. It is interesting to see a number of people here who feel now that Ford has taken the cover off the US market 2010 Taurus that this is already on it's way to Australia to replace the Falcon.

I may be naive since I don't have the experience others here have had as far as Ford's past actions in cramming cars down Aussie's throats, but I haven't heard anything yet about this being "global" architecture.

This car does not have a suspension that can compete with the Falcon, I wouldn't think. The Falcon seems much more performance oriented. It certainly has the heritage. The Taurus has always been a family sedan with one short run performance model, the SHO. I don't think that the Taurus, especially FWD, would be able to even attempt to pretend to be a replacement for the Falcon.

I hope I am right.

Steve

All good points Steve, the traditional fundamental differences between the US market and here in terms of performance orientation has been the US has based its performance offerings on mid sized coupes where as we have "adapted" our large family sedans into performance models.
Our performance "heritage" and "traditions" have primarily pivoted off our premier sedan racing category......
It will be interesting to see if that trend continues here.

BrisVegas · 12-01-2009, 09:39 AM

I think the styling is fine. It looks like a natural extension of the current Falcon & Mondeo. Future cars always look a bit oddball, but they quickly become familiar shapes. It'll be a shame to lose the 4.0 inline six engine, but if that Taurus is the future, then at least Ford has something reasonable with which to compete against the Accord/Aurion/Maxima/P.O.S.Commodore...

Cobra · 12-01-2009, 09:48 AM

Looks nice, and probably goes well too. I doubt they'd get a V8 in it as they'd need to engineer the upcoming 5L mustang engine to mout transversely and that, combined with space issues would cause it to be a very expensive operation with a result of something that probably handles worse, uses more fuel, and may not even go any better than the TT V6 anyway.

I do think that thi will replace the Falcon. I hate saying it, but I really think it will happen. I guess we will find out well and truely before 2013, because they wouldn't be too far off designing a new falcon now, an we will find out soon enough if there will be a GRWD or not. Seeing what's happened with the GM and the Zeta platform, and Pontiac subesquently dropping the G8, combined with the very unpredictable global economic situation, it's something that is just too out there to develop a 1billion+ RWD platform. The Mustang may be our only hope of a new Falcon. Interesting times ahead...

TZENU · 12-01-2009, 10:01 AM

The front end has the Mondeo influence whilst the rear end looks to have a cross between Volkswagen/Audi influence....

Looks good and has an impressive list of features

FoMoKid · 12-01-2009, 10:10 AM

Boring and blocky! And looks very similar to the Chev Volt.
Is this FordNA's attempt at merging the 3-block-design of America and the Kinetic design of Europe? FAIL in my opinion. I'm sorry guys, but i don't see much connection to Mondeo or Falcon. Sure it has the trapezoidal grill but it is still very slab-sided, none of the flowing lines we see on the Kinetic design language. Lets hope we don't get it down here.

MethodX · 12-01-2009, 10:24 AM

Has some Interceptor cues, which isnt a bad thing.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/f...ceptor-concep/