Peek at the upscale 2010 Ford Taurus

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Even though the Taurus is a full-size car, the amount of passenger room still surprised us.

The lines are crisp, the roofline looks sleek, and the wide stance of the wheels gives the car a performance-oriented feeling.

If you weren't standing inside the Ford booth at the Detroit Auto Show, you'd think you were looking a new luxury car -- probably an import -- not the all-new, full-size 2010 Ford Taurus.

No Taurus in recent memory ever looked this good, and the transformation is welcomed because 2008-2009 Taurus isn't a great looking car. Knowing this truth, Ford decided to do something drastic.

The all-new design is decidedly upscale. There's not a hint of the dowdy old style to be found. The exterior style is dominated by a sculpted hood, pronounced front fenders, and character line that runs front to back ending at the tall trailing edge of the rear fenders.

Inside, a forward-leaning center control cluster clearly makes the new Taurus a five-seater. New production techniques have yielded better looking and richer feeling dash and door coverings. As evidenced in recently introduced models, Ford knows how to craft high-quality and visually pleasing interiors. Panel gaps and materials appear on par with luxury cars.

Even though the Taurus is a full-size car, the amount of passenger room still surprised us. The adjective "huge" comes to mind. The trunk, thanks to the high profile of the rear fenders and the tall deck, is likewise enormous. Back in the days of drive-in movies, it would have been easy to fit three stow-aways back there with room for soda and chips.

The 2010 Ford Taurus should have the moves to match its trimmer more athletic looks. The mechanicals are based on the Lincoln MKS, a capable performance sedan. The standard engine is a refined 3.5-liter V-6 (also used in the Lincoln), generating an estimated 263 horsepower. Along with earning ULEV-II emissions certification front-wheel-drive Taurus (all-wheel drive is optional) is expected to deliver unsurpassed highway fuel economy in the class, but Ford hasn't yet released mpg estimates.

Every Taurus will be equipped with a six-speed automatic. On SEL and Limited models (the SE is the base model), the transmission will feature paddle shifters on the steering wheel, a manual shift mode, and rev-matching downshifts deliver a sportier driving experience.

Compared to the outgoing model, the chassis components under the 2010 Taurus should provide sportier ride dynamics. Ford engineers promise more roll stiffness and more responsive steering. Like the MKS, the new Ford uses struts up front and multi-link, fully-independent arrangement in the rear. AOL Autos: Detroit Auto Show overview

Ford added a healthy helping of technology to the 2010 Taurus. Many of these features were once found exclusively in high-end luxury cars, but now Ford is making them mainstream.

The list of options includes: Adaptive cruise control that uses radar to adjust the car's cruising speed in traffic; keyless entry with push-button start; and Ford's SecuriCode Keyless Entry Keypad with a new keypad flush-mounted on the driver's side B-pillar. These are added to the latest version of Ford's SYNC infotainment interface that includes turn-by-turn route guidance (SYNC and GM's OnStar are in a heated battle to out-feature the other). AOL Autos: Full coverage of the Detroit Auto Show

Offering even more travel-type information is optional voice-activated NAV with SIRIUS Travel Link that uses a large eight-inch touch screen. The Travel Link subscription provides current weather conditions (real-time radar), a five-day forecast, local fuel pricing by cost per gallon as well as brand, sports scores and movie listings.

One especially interesting option is what Ford is calling multi-contour front seats. These seats include six-way lumbar support and subtle rolling pattern massage. The minute but continuous movement stirs a change of muscular activation helping a driver avoid back pain and help reduce long-distance driving fatigue. We can't wait to log a few hundred miles sitting in these to see if they perform as promised. AOL Autos: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

On the safety front, the 2010 Taurus is well equipped with standards including six air bags (including two-row side canopy units), electronic stability control, ABS, traction control, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, plus a post-crash feature that unlocks all doors, flashes the emergency flashers, and sounds the horn in an event of an airbag deployment.

Safety enhancing options include a collision warning system that's part of the adaptive cruise control. When the potential for a collision is detected, the brakes are pre-charged for faster response, and a visual "heads-up" warning signal is flashed on the base of the windshield. AOL Autos: Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon debuts

Drivers are also warned of traffic they might not see on the highway or in parking lots by Ford's Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems that use rear- and side-aiming radar. Additionally, Ford's SYNC now includes a 911 Assist enhancement that will place a call to a local emergency operator in the event of an air bag deployment incident.

Regardless of your take on the old Taurus, this 2010 edition looks to offer a level of technology and style never before offered for only $25,995. Expect to see it in dealers this summer.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/0...urus/index.html

[Niels Bohr 72]

If this car offers more fuel mileage than my current Toyota Prius, I may consider trading in my Honda Civic for this. Or, maybe I'll wait to get the new Hybrid Camry 2010.

[Uncle Wally 2]

Looks cool, but I bet it's still a pile of sh!t just like all other Ford Tauruses. Better get a warranty with that jalopy.

I wouldn't buy an American vehicle unless I needed* a pickup truck.

*by "need" a pickup truck, I mean actually need one for its functionality. Not as in "I'm a hard workin' American practical man with a mustache and I'm naked without my truck, as it's 75% of the image that I'm trying to project. I rarely use it to haul or tow anything, though."

On a related note, has anyone noticed the recent tsunami of Chevy commercials? I'm sorry, but I was under the impression that all that money we gave them was supposed to be for helping them sort out the roots of their problems and catch up with the foreign producers, not to advertise the hell out of their sh!tty lineup in an attempt to convince us that their cars are worth buying.

[Aubrey 10]

Yep, I buy based on Consumer Reports multi-year reliability ratings. American automakers have years of catch-up to do before I'd ever consider buying one of their vehicles. It's Toyota and Honda always at the top right now. And I can safely drive my Corolla for another 200,000+ miles, I'm quite sure.

And thank you, Uncle Wally, for pointing out the macho bull ####### that gets so many people to buy trucks they don't need. Have you been to Texas recently or something?

[Uncle Wally 2]

Yep, I buy based on Consumer Reports multi-year reliability ratings. American automakers have years of catch-up to do before I'd ever consider buying one of their vehicles. It's Toyota and Honda always at the top right now. And I can safely drive my Corolla for another 200,000+ miles, I'm quite sure.

And thank you, Uncle Wally, for pointing out the macho bull ####### that gets so many people to buy trucks they don't need. Have you been to Texas recently or something?

No, sadly I've noticed a lot of that living here in Massachusetts. I'm sure it's 10 times worse in the flyover states.

Edited January 17, 2009 by Uncle Wally

[Niels Bohr 72]

Yep, I buy based on Consumer Reports multi-year reliability ratings. American automakers have years of catch-up to do before I'd ever consider buying one of their vehicles. It's Toyota and Honda always at the top right now. And I can safely drive my Corolla for another 200,000+ miles, I'm quite sure.

And thank you, Uncle Wally, for pointing out the macho bull ####### that gets so many people to buy trucks they don't need. Have you been to Texas recently or something?

No, sadly I've noticed a lot of that living here in Massachusetts. I'm sure it's 10 times worse in the flyover states.

Really? Wow. I thought people were in line to buy a prius.

I do know up in Suffolk County (Boston Area), people tend to like giant cars. Maybe because it scares the little drivers from cutting them off in such small roadways.

[Uncle Wally 2]

I'm in Northampton, western Mass- draw a line south from the VT/NH border, and we're 1/2way to CT.

We have the Prius contingency here, for sure. Our city's open lesbian mayor drives one, if that tells you anything about the area.

Still, for the stern-faced mustachioed Bud drinkin' fellers, it's pickup trucks all the way.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Our city's open lesbian mayor drives one, if that tells you anything about the area.

My towns mayor drives around in a CRV. Your mayor sounds way cooler.

[Yoink 7]

A toyota dealer here was going to sell me a 2008 Prius loaded with 15k miles for $17,500.

The Taurus is nice though Hyundai has the Genesis luxury car out now which is way better with their uber warranty

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I've only driven American-made vehicles. My first car was a Chevy Nova. I was kinda reckless in it for a 16 yr. old - it was my joy ride.

My last vehicle though was a 1994 Ford Ranger. At roughly 150,000 mi. it basically deteriorated - piece by piece. Two owners later, it sits at the end of my street and gets someone to work each day. Here is what it looked like after extensive modification work.

I now drive a Jeep Wrangler. In the 5 years I have owned it (with 100,000 mi. on the odo.), I have been rewarded by owning such a bulletproof vehicle. I drive this thing through traffic as if it were a go-cart on steroids. Head on drivers? No problem. Train track crossings? Bring 'em my way. A May tornado in Southern CA with snow on I-215? I'm ready!

What I am trying to say is, not all American product is flawed. My Jeep is dependable, capable, and I it rocks...literally.

Edited January 17, 2009 by Ken y Onelis

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It literally rocks?

You know, I don't think it's supposed to literally rock.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

It literally rocks?

You know, I don't think it's supposed to literally rock.

Given the right dosage of modifications, its safe to say it can rock...safely.

[Uncle Wally 2]

Here's my whip:

[Amby 490]

Here's my whip:

I don't know what's funnier...you calling it your "whip" or the "free candy" on the side

[Amby 490]

this is my whip