With the whole automotive world focusing on Shanghai and its world debuts, the unfortunately timed New York Auto Show is firmly in the shadows. Faced with a choice, where would you want show off fresh metal? The largest auto market in the world, of course!
But there are still some new cars to be had in NYC, and this refreshed Ford Taurus is one. The 2013 Taurus isn’t all new, but a facelift of the all new 2010 model year car. Ford’s flagship sedan sees better fuel economy, more technology, enhanced design, improved craftsmanship and sharpened dynamics, according to Ford.
Looks wise, the new Taurus features a new face and a more muscular hood, complemented by larger wheels/tyres for a more aggressive stance. Rear quarter panels have been raised, enabling larger, full LED taillamps. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group VP of global product development, said the styling tweaks were wholly influenced by the new Audi A6, which is quite obvious from the front! The Audi also served as benchmark for exterior fit and finish.
Under the hood, the big news is the introduction of a new 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Cars of this size normally come with a V6, but this turbocharged direct injection four-pot gives better economy while matching the go of a naturally aspirated V6. It’s estimated to deliver 237 hp, 340 Nm of torque and best in class highway economy of 11 km/l.
There’s still a V6 for those who want one – Ford’s usual 3.5 V6 is now rated at 290 hp, 27 horses more thanks to twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). A six-speed auto ‘box is standard.
Fuel saving measures introduced include low-tension front end accessory drive belt, smart battery management, aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff, variable-displacement air conditioning compressor, reduced friction lubricants and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). The steering rack is now mounted to the subframe, and the ratio is quicker.
There are other under the skin changes, too. Torque vectoring control improves grip and handling, while curve control slows the vehicle if it senses that a driver inadvertently enters a curve too quickly. With application of four-wheel braking, speed can be trimmed by up to 10 mph in approximately one second. Apparently, entering/exiting highway loops too fast contribute to over 50,000 crashes a year in the US!
Taurus also gets a larger brake master cylinder with revised booster tuning, resulting in a “shorter pedal ratio” and “dramatically improved pedal feel”. Brake friction material has been upgraded for improved fade resistance and performance.
NVH control has been enhanced with the addition of A-pillar and cowl baffles and acoustic wheel-well liners. Inside, all pillars are now fabric wrapped, and the glovebox and console storage are flock-lined, besides having new switchgear.
Also new is SYNC with MyFord Touch, which replaces buttons, knobs and gauges with colour LCD screens and steering wheel five-way toggles. These screens can be personalised and “talked to” via voice control.
Gallery after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=2175]
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Ford is making a very strong claim with this car ~~~ if it makes it to malaysia will be a big seller!!
the audio system is really really an attraction….
very nice
this is actually better looking than the chervolet malibu, it will be nice if ford ever brings it here
You can’t compare with the Malibu since its only mid-size, Taurus is a full size sedan.
should see the size of this thing in the metal, it is a huge D segment car…
It’s above D-segment actually, the Malibu sized car is the Ford Fusion. I’ve driven the Taurus SHO at a Ford test center in the US before, it’s quite a looker in the metal – big, majestic and sporty at the same time. Didn’t really push it at all as it was snowing and there was alot of ice on the road.
You lucky SOB!!
beautiful! clean and sharp design! i love it! apart from that no-so-good-looking sport rims, this is a piece of beauty!
Is this a D segment or more?
D-segment saloons like the Camry and Ford Fusion are called “mid size” in America. The Taurus is a “full size” saloon.
Somemore trivia… Toyota’s Taurus-sized car is the Avalon. Ford’s D-segment car is the Ford Fusion.
Then it’ll never come to M’sia…
The Fusion is probably at the smaller end of the Mid-sizer class (its smaller than the equivalent mid sized Malibu) , while interestingly, the Accord actually is classified as a full sized under US EPA standards, on par with the Taurus and the Avalon.
us epa standard use car interior room to give grade
its totally different from the usual segmentation
@Unforgiven, The Fusion and Mondeo is expected to be replaced by one model.
muscular looking ride…. now that’s american..haha
Here’s more muscle: The Taurus SHO
http://paultan.org/2011/04/20/2013-ford-taurus-sho-no-power-up-for-ecoboost-v6/
Oh wow!
That’s kinda nice!
wow…really2 nice looking car…damn nice
Hmm….I was watching the 2012 Subaru Impreza unveil live on their site and I can’t help but thinking how awfully similar this looks to the sedan version of the Subaru; the grill on this Ford is almost the same as the Subaru’s
Still, great job Ford!
If the Fusion is Ford’s D segment car, what does that make the Mondeo?