2013 Ford Taurus

New Ford Taurus Delivers More Fuel Efficiency, Technology, Design Refinement and Even Better Driving Dynamics

•Ford Taurus is even more refined for the 2013 model year – with better fuel economy, more technology, enhanced design, improved craftsmanship and sharpened driving dynamics
•New Taurus expected to deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency – at least 31 mpg highway – with the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ engine, while delivering horsepower comparable to competitive, normally aspirated V6 offerings
•New Ford Taurus SHO sedan is sportiest model yet to wear SHO badge, offering unique, performance-inspired design, road manners to match – and even more differentiation in the Taurus lineup

NEW YORK, April 19, 2011 – The new Ford Taurus delivers more of what large sedan customers really want for the 2013 model year – with even better fuel economy, more technology, design refinement, improved craftsmanship and enhanced driving dynamics.

'We have significantly upgraded Ford's flagship sedan through obsessive attention to detail,' said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. 'The new Taurus builds on the transformation we achieved in the 2010 model. Delivering so many upgrades so soon further underscores Ford's leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient cars for our customers.'

Greener, yet powerful
A choice of new engines offers customers increased fuel efficiency, without compromising the responsive performance they want.

Taurus is the first car in Ford's North American lineup to offer the advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ engine, combining a turbocharger with gasoline direct injection. It is expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of at least 31 mpg. Providing plenty of power, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will deliver an estimated 237 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque.

The standard Taurus 3.5-liter V6 is projected to deliver unsurpassed fuel efficiency among V6 segment competitors while still delivering increased performance from an anticipated 290 horsepower.
This is accomplished with the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), enabling increased fuel economy while delivering 27 more horsepower, a reduction in part-throttle emissions and increased responsiveness.

Both engines are mated with unique six-speed automatic transmissions that offer optimized gear selection for off-the-line power delivery in lower gears, while benefiting fuel economy with higher gears that keep the engine turning efficiently at lower revolutions while cruising.

Each Taurus powertrain features additional technologies to help conserve fuel, such as:
•Low-tension front end accessory drive belt
•Smart battery management
•Aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff
•Variable-displacement air conditioning compressor
•Reduced friction lubricants
•Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)

The team put special emphasis to fit all new Taurus models with EPAS to improve steering response by speeding up the steering ratio and rigidly mounting the steering rack to the subframe. The EPAS system also allows for a high degree of tuning by Ford vehicle dynamics engineers to optimize steering feel, pleasing enthusiast drivers and serving as a confidence builder for less-experienced drivers.The Taurus interior keeps green with extensive use of recycled material in the cloth surfaces, in the headliner, and in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) control components. Taurus seat cushions are comprised of a high concentration of soy foam, significantly reducing petroleum-based substances.

Even smarter
America's most innovative full-size sedan gets even smarter with an array of even more class-leading technologies including SYNC® with MyFord Touch™, which replaces many traditional buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, colorful LCD screens and steering wheel-mounted five-way toggles. These screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each driver by using voice command, keeping the driver's eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

MyFord Touch is powered by a new version of Ford's award-winning SYNC system, combining voice control for vehicle functions, enabled Bluetooth® devices, MP3 players and a wide variety of external media.

The new Taurus also adds Ford's intuitive active park assist technology, making life simpler and more convenient for customers.

Taurus also offers the following comfort and convenience technologies:
•New heated steering wheel adds to the comfort of the heated and cooled leather-trimmed seats
•Multicontour seats with Active Motion™, a Taurus class-exclusive offering, help to reduce driver and first-row passenger fatigue with a subtle rolling massage pattern
•Intelligent Access with push-button start, allowing the driver to enter the car and start the engine via push button simply by having the key fob in his or her possession
•Auto high beams employ a sensor to switch headlamps to high beam when no oncoming traffic is detected
•Rain-sensing wipers use an advanced optical sensor to detect the intensity of rain and/or snowfall to automatically adjust wiper speed
•Rear view camera activates when reverse gear is selected, projecting via the center stack-mounted 8-inch screen
•Rear window power sunshade, a luxury-class feature that shades the rear glass at the touch of a button, helping to keep the cabin cooler

In addition, Taurus is available with a wide variety of audio and navigation connectivity alternatives.

Packed with detail
Taurus quality begins with design refinement. Building on the completely reinvigorated 2010 model, the new Taurus features a more muscular hood. Larger wheels and tires fill out the wheel-well openings, giving Taurus an athletic stance. Rear quarter panels have been raised, enabling larger, full LED taillamps. Without increasing overall dimensions or vehicle weight, the new Taurus looks more streamlined, substantial and sporty.

Improved driving dynamics is a quality the driver will feel. Beyond the across-the-board transition to EPAS, the hard-mounted steering rack with a faster ratio, springs and dampers have been optimized to provide improved vehicle handling, combined with improved ride quality.

The new Taurus dynamics benefit from the addition of torque vectoring control. This feature uses a slight – virtually imperceptible to the driver – amount of braking force on the outside front wheel when accelerating through a corner. This minimal brake force provides an effect similar to a limited-slip differential. The result is a vehicle that feels smaller and more maneuverable, with more control when increasing speed through curves.

This innovative feature will please enthusiasts while serving as a confidence builder for less-seasoned drivers. Torque vectoring control – normally found in high-ticket sports cars – is a Taurus class-exclusive feature. In addition, this feature is standard.

The new Taurus adds curve control, a unique Ford braking control innovation aimed at slowing the vehicle, if it senses that a driver inadvertently enters a curve too quickly. With application of four-wheel smart braking, the vehicle can reduce speed by up to 10 mph in approximately one second.

Entering curves or on- and off-ramps too quickly contributes to more than 50,000 crashes each year in the Ú.S. Curve control is a Taurus class-exclusive offering.

Across the board, all new Taurus models will receive 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.

Exterior craftsmanship for the new Taurus has been improved through the employment of digital pre-assembly. This advanced technology enables engineers to address potential issues in Taurus manufacturing while still in the online phase and ensures precise, uniform surface gaps and margins once series production is initiated. Taurus was benchmarked against Audi A6 for exterior fit and finish.

Inside, no detail went untouched. Taurus' interior craftsmanship is elevated through expanded use of soft-touch, high-quality materials inside the cabin. Úpgraded materials across the instrument panel and throughout the center console are evidence of continuous improvement.

Source - Ford

2013 FORD TAURUS EPA-CERTIFIED AT CLASS-LEADING 32 MPG WITH NEW 2.0-LITER ECOBOOST ENGINE

•EPA fuel economy ratings confirm the 2013 Ford Taurus 2.0-liter EcoBoost® delivers a class-leading 32 mpg on the highway
•Highly efficient new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine helps Taurus top competitors including Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon
•Across segments and powertrain alternatives, Taurus 2.0-liter EcoBoost achieves a higher combined fuel economy rating than Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec diesel and Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. It also beats V6 versions of Honda Accord and Toyota Camry while delivering comparable power
•Three Taurus engine offerings provide customers the power of choice in selecting the full-size sedan that best suits their needs – without sacrificing performance for fuel economy

DEARBORN, Mich., June 26, 2012 – The 2013 Ford Taurus, the Blue Oval's technology and performance flagship sedan, is now certified by the EPA as the class leader in large sedan city and highway fuel economy.

The Taurus' new 2.0-liter EcoBoost®four-cylinder engine is certified at 32 mpg highway – better than the 2012 Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger and Toyota Avalon.
The all-new Taurus demonstrates fuel economy isn't limited to compact car sizes. All three engine options for the 2013 model have now been certified at 25 mpg or higher in EPA highway estimates.

'Ford understands people want fuel-efficient vehicles but don't want to sacrifice power, cargo space or convenience preferences to get them,' said Raj Nair, vice president of Engineering for Global Product Development. 'Taurus fuel economy showcases Ford's success in developing smaller yet more powerful engines for its larger vehicles.'




Compared to smaller vehicles, Taurus 2.0-liter bests V6 models of Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, with comparable power.

Power of choice

The Taurus base 3.5-liter V6 engine also has been updated for 2013 with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), adding 25 horsepower plus 1 mpg city and 2 mpg highway in EPA estimates – compared to the previous Taurus base V6.

The 2013 Taurus SHO (Super High Output) high-performance sport sedan continues to feature a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine producing 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, while still delivering 25 mpg on the highway.



The 2013 Taurus demonstrates to consumers there is no need to trade power, performance, comfort or convenience to achieve savings at the gas pump.

Integrated efficiencies
Each Taurus powertrain features additional technologies to help conserve fuel, such as:
•Low-tension front-end accessory drive belt
•Smart battery management
•Aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff
•Variable-displacement air conditioning compressor
•Reduced friction lubricants
•Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)

All new Taurus models now come with EPAS, helping improve steering response by rigidly mounting the steering rack to the subframe. The EPAS system allows for a high degree of tuning by Ford vehicle dynamics engineers to optimize steering feel, plus it saves fuel and provides drivers with enhanced feedback.

Additionally, fuel economy in the 2013 Taurus is enhanced by a class-exclusive Active Grille Shutter System. Positioned between the grille opening and radiator, the shutters are controlled by the engine's control module. Shutter slats automatically open and close to maintain the ideal operating temperatures and optimize vehicle aerodynamics.

The 2013 Taurus range is built at Ford's Chicago Assembly facility and will begin arriving in dealerships later this summer.

Source - Ford