2011 FORD TAURUS DELIVERS FULL-SIZE STYLE, SUBSTANCE, TECHNOLOGY, DRIVING DYNAMICS, VALUE

•The 2011 Ford Taurus combines class-leading technologies with confident, engaging driving dynamics and unsurpassed fuel economy

•Taurus features an impressive set of standard and available technologies plus power from the award-winning, fuel-efficient Duratec® engine, mated to one of two available six-speed automatic transmissions

•Since its launch, the all-new Taurus has been a huge sales success; May 2010 saw Taurus sales nearly double over the same period a year earlier

The Ford Taurus – the car that changed America's view of full-size sedans – continues for 2011 with an upscale design, impeccable driving dynamics and class-leading technologies at a compelling value for full-size sedan buyers.

Taurus is aimed at drivers who might move family and friends, yet who place a premium on the driving experience and the technologies that make time on the road more meaningful and fun.

Exterior design details are sculpted and powerful – from the hood-mounted powerdome that speaks to the strength behind its confident grille to the pronounced fenders and fascia. Bold headlamps combined with recessed parking lamps frame a bold expression of the signature Ford three-bar grille – and the lowered roofline helps make the Taurus more aspirational.

Vibrant new colors for 2011 include Bordeaux Reserve Red Metallic, Kona Blue Metallic and Sterling Gray Metallic.

Wheels from 17- to 19-inches in diameter fill the sculpted wheel wells and lend Taurus a muscular and athletic stance. The raised shoulder lines provide a confident profile and enable generous trunk capacity.

Inside, a forward-leaning center stack – home to the climate controls, audio components and available navigation screen – flows through the instrument panel and into the center console. This smart design allows for the interior to be formed with unbroken lines to impart seamless quality and craftsmanship.

The door panels employ an innovative urethane tooling process providing unique soft texture and identity to surfaces, with visible stitching and a handcrafted appeal. This same process allows for two-tone finishes, enabling model series differentiation.

Taurus precision craftsmanship is reflected in the quality of materials used in the interior, and in the exterior margins that are comparable to costly German luxury sedans.

Better performance, with exceptional fuel economy

To match its striking design, the Taurus features sportier driving dynamics.

Taurus for 2011 comes standard with the proven Duratec 3.5-liter V-6, generating 263 horsepower and 249 ft.-lb. of torque. This award-winning engine earns a ULEV-II emissions certification and comes paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions.

The smooth and refined Duratec V-6 helps the front-wheel-drive Taurus deliver highway fuel economy of up to 18 mpg city and 28 highway. Taurus reflects the company's commitment to deliver the best or among the best fuel economy across the vehicle segments in which it competes.

Taurus fuel economy is aided by the use of a two-speed fuel pump and aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff technology.

The Taurus SE offers a six-speed automatic transmission with a grade-assist hill-holding rollback prevention feature, paired with an economical 2.77 final drive ratio.

SEL and Limited series Taurus models are offered with SelectShift, featuring race-inspired shift control paddles mounted on the steering wheel. SelectShift offers the convenience of conventional automatic operation, or a manual shift mode that gives the driver manual control over gear selection.

The SelectShift transmission enables 'match-rev' downshifts and will hold manually selected gears, unlike some competitive transmissions that second-guess the driver.

The SEL is offered with a 2.77 final drive ratio, while the Limited series uses a 3.16 gear in front-wheel-drive models and a 3.39 ratio in all-wheel-drive models to provide enhanced acceleration.

Chassis and suspension components are tuned to deliver on the sporty and aggressive design with optimized roll stiffness for cornering control, responsive steering with sharp turn-in and precision accuracy. This chassis tuning of the MacPherson front struts and multilink rear suspension reflects Ford global DNA, defined by responsive steering and handling while maintaining a comfortable ride quality.

The 2011 Taurus features the SR1 suspension configuration. Named for its 'one-to-one' rear shock absorber ratio, it provides a superior balance between cornering and handling while providing a stable baseline for fine-tuning. SR1 enables the use of 19-inch wheels and reduces vehicle weight to help save fuel.

Wind tunnel development time was important to reduce noise and vibration, but it also helps deliver increased fuel economy.

Customer-focused technologies

Tech-savvy customers will find plenty to like about the 2011 Taurus. Its technologies enable customer connectivity, while fulfilling desires for customization and control.

These offerings were selected and developed to provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience for driver and passengers. Extensive work has also been done to ensure these technologies are intuitive to operate. Taurus features include:

Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to set the vehicle cruising speed while using radar technology to monitor traffic traveling up to 600 feet ahead, automatically adjusting Taurus speed to help maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

Collision Warning with Brake Support is a new active safety feature integrated with Adaptive Cruise Control. The collision warning system uses a radar sensor to detect moving vehicles ahead and provides a visual heads-up warning signal transmitted across the base of the windshield and an audible warning when slower-moving traffic is detected. The system also pre-charges the brakes and engages an electronic brake assist to help the driver stop more quickly.

Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start is a new Taurus feature that allows drivers to start the engine by simply carrying the fob as they approach and enter the vehicle.

SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad enables vehicle access by unlocking the driver's door using a five-digit code on the new keypad system flush-mounted in the driver's side B-pillar.

MyKey™ allows parents or fleet administrators to activate a restricted driving mode. When enabled, MyKey features a persistent Belt-Minder® with audio mute until seat belts are buckled, an earlier low-fuel warning, and consistently engaged AdvanceTrac® stability control, Blind Spot monitoring, Cross Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Warning. Additional programmability includes restrictions on audio volume, limiting top speed to 80 mph and speed chime warnings at 45, 55 or 65 mph.

Auto High Beams/Rain-Sensing Wipers harness sensor technologies to switch headlights to high intensity when no other vehicles are detected, in a range of up to 500 feet for taillight detection and up to 2,000 feet for oncoming headlights. Rain-sensing wipers use an advanced optical sensor to detect the intensity of rain and/or snowfall to adjust wiper speed.

Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System is an industry-exclusive feature that self-seals without a traditional fuel cap.

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) consists of two multiple beam radar modules, one each per rear quarter panel. When an approaching vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone, an indicator alert provides warning to the driver in the corresponding side-view mirror.

Cross Traffic Alert uses the existing BLIS radar modules to sense oncoming traffic when slowly backing out of a parking spot. This industry-exclusive system functions only while the vehicle is in reverse and warns when cross-traffic appears within three car widths.

Ford SYNC® is the fully integrated, in-vehicle voice-activated communications and entertainment system, with 911 Assist™, Vehicle Health Report and GPS-based features including business search and call completion. SYNC connects to MP3 players, iPods, memory sticks and PDAs. SYNC's 911 Assist will place a call to a local emergency operator in the event of an airbag deployment incident. SYNC also includes Traffic, Directions & Information, providing turn-by-turn route guidance, and the ability to access content by personalized favorites such as region, subject matter or sports team.

Voice-activated navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link™ uses an 8-inch screen to present a bird's-eye-view map with 3D landmarks. The system responds to voice commands for destination programming and route selection. In addition, it provides enhanced route guidance features such as street name announcements and detailed freeway exit, turn and ramp position lane guidance. The screen can be personalized with up to 32 pictures, sized up to 1.5 MB. The system also incorporates SIRIUS Travel Link, offering availability of current weather and ski conditions, a five-day forecast, local fuel pricing by cost per gallon as well as brand, sports scores and movie listings. For 2011, this package also includes HD Radio®, for improved sound quality and increased listening options.

Sony® branded audio components deliver sound from a variety of sources, with an AM-FM tuner, SIRIUS® satellite radio, CD, DVD audio and an integrated 10 GB hard drive for storage of 2,400 songs. This package also includes an available 10-speaker premium audio system.

Multi-Contour seats are available on an industry-exclusive basis for driver and passenger, integrating a six-way lumbar support and subtle rolling pattern massage. The bottom cushion features Active Motion.

Rear View Camera System is standard on Limited series and optional on SEL models.

Safety leadership grows

The 2011 Taurus builds on its legacy of safety leadership, incorporating a comprehensive array of passive and active features engineered to protect and preserve its passengers.

Taurus safety begins with a body structure optimized for strength and stiffness. The energy-absorbing front structure features octagonal front frame rails, tunnel rails and 'shotgun' front structural members designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. The Taurus body structure features ultra-high-strength boron steel in the B-pillar for added side-impact protection.

Taurus is equipped with a comprehensive package of active and passive safety features, including dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags, side-impact airbags and Safety Canopy®, a Ford-exclusive protection system that features side curtain airbags that help protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollover and side-impact crashes.

Technology and connectivity features

Standard and available 2011 Ford Taurus technology features include:

•SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system with Traffic, Directions & Information

•SIRIUS satellite radio with initial six-month subscription

•Voice-activated navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link and HD Radio, including iTunes song-tagging ability

•Multi-Contour seats with Active Motion

•Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors for better blind-spot visibility

•Rear View Camera System to aid visibility while backing up

•Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler System

•Ambient lighting allowing drivers to change interior lighting color palette

•Steering wheel audio controls

Safety technologies

Standard and available 2011 Ford Taurus safety features include:

•Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture® comprised of a hydroformed cross-car beam embedded in the floor between the door frames, providing additional strength in the side of the vehicle

•Personal Safety System® consisting of sensors that note right front occupant weight, seat belt usage, outboard seat belt tension and seating position to optimize airbag deployment force for occupant safety

•AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control

•SOS Post-Crash Alert, an integrated system that automatically unlocks the doors, sounds the horn and activates the emergency flashers in the event of an airbag deployment

•MyKey programmable vehicle key

•Tire Pressure Monitoring System

•LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system on rear seating positions

The 2011 Ford Taurus is built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant.

by Ford

Introduced in December 1985 as a 1986 model, Ford unveiled the Taurus with its smooth, jellybean-like body. One of the slickest vehicles in the world, the Taurus had an aerodynamic drag coefficient of only 0.29. Instantaneously winning over thousands of fans, the Taurus was a huge success. The name Taurus came from the Latin word meaning ‘bull'. During its 20 years of production, Ford sold nearly 7 million Taurus's throughout its lifetime. Most Taurus's were built in either Chicago, Illinois and in Atlanta, Georgia.

A bold new step in US automobile design, this was the first time in many decades that an American manufacturer was building a world class car. Inspired by successful European designs, which were making huge steps in the US premium sedan market, Ford took a huge gamble in basing its main profits on this vehicle.

Weighing in around 3,200lbs, the front-wheel-drive midsize Taurus rode on a 106-inch wheelbase. All models except the LX featured the base engine, a four cylinder of 2.5 liters and 90 horsepower. Most buyers chose the optional 3.0-liter V6 that put out an impressive 140 horsepower. Transmission options were either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic, while the V6 only came with a four-speed automatic gearbox.

In 1988 a larger 3.8-liter V6 engine became optional for all Taurus's and all Sables. Rated at the same horsepower as the standard 3.0-liter V6, the bigger engine produced more torque and was better off-the-line response, which was helpful in drag races.

Ford introduced the Taurus SHO in1989, which was a special treat for driving enthusiasts. Featuring a 220-horsepower, 24-valve, 3.0-liter Yamaha engine along with a sport suspension package, the SHO was a magnificent vehicle. Continuing with the serious, performance-oriented theme of the vehicle, the interior featured a 140-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer with a 7,000-rpm redline, aggressive side bolsters on the front bucket seats along with a console which featured a five-speed manual gearshift as no automatic transmission was available for the SHO. Reaching 0-60 mph in only seven seconds, the SHO received four-wheel disc brakes along with upgraded handling.

The Taurus received a driver's side airbag in 1990 along with a revised instrument panel. Antilock brakes were newly optional on sedans only, and a compact disc player. The three-speed unit that was formerly mated to the 3.0-liter V6 was replaced with a four-speed automatic.

The following year a much-need boost in power was made to the four cylinder engine, bumping it from 90 horsepower to 115. No increase in its output, but the 3.0-liter V6 received sequential fuel injection. The SHO also received a few updates as well that included larger 16-inch tires and wheels while the manual gearbox and clutch were modified for smoother operation.

A larger 3.2-liter version of the DOHC V6 was introduced in 1993 and came with automatic SHOs. Though peak horsepower was the same as the 3.0 motor, more torque down low offset the fitment of the auto gearbox. The SHO also received a decklid spoiler with integrated stop lamp along with chrome dual exhaust outlets. To make the Taurus even more competitive in the tough sportscar market segment, more standard equipment that included AC and a rear window defroster were added to lower-line models.

Every year the Taurus took the title of 'Best-Selling Car in America' from 1992 through 1995. Many changes were introduced for the 1996 Taurus. Under the hood was a new ‘Duratec' 24-valve, DOHC V6 with 200 horsepower. The 3.0-liter V6 gained an additional 5 horsepower bumping it up to 145 horses. The SHO also now had V8 power, a Yamaha-engineered, 3.4-liter, 32-valve unit that pushed 235 horsepower to the front wheels. The SHO no longer had a manual gearbox, along with all other Taurus's as now all vehicles featured an electronically controlled, four-speed automatic transmission handled gear changes. Despite of all of these controversial design changes, the Taurus continued with its 'Best-Selling Car in America' streak for yet another year.

For 1997 engineering was on everyone's mind as a variety of changes occurred for the 3.0-liter V6, and the Taurus didn't lag behind. The V6 motor was modified to run cleaner and even received California's low-emission vehicle status as a result. Along with standard gasoline-fueled version, the 3.0 offered two 'flexible fuel' options. One option allowed the engine to run on mainly methanol while the other ran on mostly ethanol.

The standard engine for the LX and SE models was once again the 145-horsepower V6 in 1998. The SE featured an optional Sport group that put the 200-horsepower Duratec V6 in the engine bay along with a spoiler on the trunk lid. The grille was slightly updated as a horizontal bar was inserted into the ‘mouth', and the orange taillights were replaced with clear lenses. The second generation airbags were replaced with more safe ones that were designed to reduce the chance of airbag related injuries; this debuted on the 1998 models.

For 1999 models safety was the big selling point as both the Taurus and the Sable received the government's highest rating for frontal crash tests. The largest selling point in the sportscar market was that both the sedan and wagon body styles garnered five stars for driver and passenger sides in the frontal impact test.

The following year a set of 3.0-liter V6 engines remained as the source of propulsion. The base version featured 155 horsepower and a higher-output 24-valve twincam unit that produced 200 horsepower. A four-speed automatic sends the power to the front wheels either way. The SHO was discontinued in 2000.

For 2000 the Taurus received yet another redesign as it minimized some of the oval design elements from the 1996 model. A taller roof over the rear-passenger space was featured in the redesign to increase passenger headroom that was sacrificed by the tapered '96 design. Making the vehicle more functional, the taller and roomier trunk also added points.

The interior of the 2000 model was completely replaced for a much more conservative design. A few elements of the interior were kept from the 1996 model, such as the integrated control console which combined the sound system and climate controls into one panel. To appeal to a broader, non-sporting audience, the suspension was also softened. The four-wheel disc brakes along with many other features were eliminated to reduce the price and increase profitability.

For 2002 the Taurus now included extra equipment on every trim level that included a CD player and power driver's seat on the SE, a power moonroof or leather interior on the SES. Both of these luxury options were found on the SEL. Optional on all models now were side airbags and traction control.

The Taurus received minor cosmetic changes to both the front and rear fascias, including an eggcrate grille for 2004. A new instrument cluster and steering wheel were installed for this same year.

Unfortunately the Taurus's days were numbers and for 2005 very little changes were made. Ford replaced the Taurus in commercial markets with the 2005 Ford Five Hundred after facing slumping sales. In January of 2005 the Taurus wagon was discontinued and replaced in the lineup by the crossover Ford Freestyle. Ford stopped selling the Taurus to the public in 2005. Still sold to the Canadian market, the model year 2006 Taurus is sold exclusively to rental fleets, such as The Hertz Corporation. In August 2006, the vehicle ceased production as a 2007 model year vehicle as Ford closed the Atlanta plant.

by Jessican Donaldson