CHICAGO: 2008 Ford Taurus X

[Flybrian]

2008 Taurus X

See the 2008 Ford Taurus
See the 2008 Mercury Sable

FORD STRENGTHENS CROSSOVER LEADERSHIP WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW 2008 TAURUS X

• 2008 Ford Taurus X is a full-size crossover with three rows of seating and Ford Edge-inspired exterior styling.
• Must-have features include one-touch, flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate.
• 44 percent better acceleration than the outgoing Freestyle, thanks to new 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed-automatic transmission.
• Standard electronic stability control and available all-wheel drive provide confident ride and handling in all weather conditions.
• Ford Sync™ offers new levels of connection, control, simplicity and personalization for electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players.
• New Taurus X will reach showrooms late this summer.

CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2007 - Unveiled today at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, the 2008 Ford Taurus X is a full-size crossover that offers three rows of seating, a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine with six-speed automatic transmission and a long list of standard safety equipment – including side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control.

Innovative convenience features on the Taurus X include one-touch, flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate.

The 2008 Taurus X will reach dealer showrooms in late summer 2007.

“The three-row Taurus X is a key element in our broad crossover lineup and is a great complement to the popular, two-row Ford Edge,” says Cisco Codina, Ford’s group vice president of North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “Like Edge, the new Taurus X delivers confident design, good power and handling, and plenty of standard safety equipment. With Taurus X, customers get a roomy, interior that is flexible, functional and comfortable – in all three rows.”

Bold, new look inspired by the Ford Edge

The exterior design of the Taurus X picks up design cues from the Ford Edge, including the step-up headlamps and distinctive Ford three-bar chrome grille. The Taurus X also features a restyled hood, newly shaped front fenders and fascia along with headlamps and fog lamps mounted in new chrome surrounds.

Taurus X sports a new rear fascia, Fusion-inspired taillamps, chrome dual exhaust tips and an available reverse sensing system. A new roof rack up top features a tougher, more rugged design.

Also available for the first time on Taurus X is an Eddie Bauer branded series. Ford's relationship with Eddie Bauer over the last two decades has proven to be very popular with customers with a nearly 40 percent take rate of the series on both the Ford Explorer and Expedition. The Eddie Bauer series includes a unique two-tone paint scheme, standard 18-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels, wiper activated headlamps and an Eddie Bauer badge.

Innovations improve an already versatile interior

The 2008 Taurus X delivers the interior space and convenience features that customers shopping for a three-row crossovers are known to prioritize. Two new features set Taurus X apart: one-touch, flip-and-fold second row seats that provide easy access to the third row and an available power rear liftgate. Controls for the power liftgate are located on the center console, rear cargo area and on the key fob.

With the Taurus X, the interior is as large and comfortable as it is flexible. It is available in 5- and 7-passenger configurations and offers exceptional visibility and space for all passengers because of the stadium style seating that places the third row higher than the second row.

It can haul cargo as well. With the second and third row folded flat, Taurus X offers 85.2 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the first row. Fold the front passenger seat flat and Taurus X can accommodate items up to nine feet long.

Must-have features include an available voice activated DVD-based navigation system and SIRIUS satellite radio. For entertainment, rear seat passengers can enjoy an available DVD player with a large, eight-inch screen and a clearer, brighter picture.

Taurus X is also one of 12 new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products to offer Ford Sync™ – a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, this Ford-exclusive system fully integrates mobile phones and digital media players into the vehicle.

New powertrain transforms Taurus X

At the heart of the 2008 Taurus X is Ford’s 3.5-liter Duratec 35 V-6 engine. It delivers an estimated 260 horsepower – an increase of nearly 30 percent over the previous engine. To manage the additional power and deliver sharper performance, the continuously variable transmission has been replaced with a six-speed-automatic gearbox that was developed in tandem with the Duratec 35.

Even with the increase in power and torque, the 2008 Taurus X is expected to post real-world fuel economy numbers similar to the 2007 Freestyle, thanks to a more efficient powertrain and technologies like a fuel-saving electric power steering system. Final numbers, measured under the new-for-2008 EPA standards, will be released closer the vehicle’s on-sale date.

Taurus X’s available intelligent all-wheel-drive system, new for 2008, is less complex than the system it replaces and similar to the Ford Edge AWD system. It incorporates an active, on-demand electro-mechanical center coupler to allocate a precise amount of torque from front to rear, up to 100 percent to either axle. This system can also anticipate wheel slip before it happens. Under heavy acceleration, for example, the system will proactively allocate torque to the rear wheels before the front wheels begin to slip.

Taurus X features a long list of standard safety features

Taurus X is expected to earn five star ratings in all four categories of government crash tests, giving it leadership in passive safety. In terms of active safety, every 2008 Taurus X has standard anti-lock brakes and AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, a feature nearly 70 percent of car shoppers are interested in according to Ford customer research.

The AdvanceTrac system can predict the vehicle’s path using a sensor to detect and measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip or the loss of traction, the system reduces engine torque and applies braking where needed to keep the car tracking safely on its intended path.

The 2008 Taurus X features standard dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger and Ford’s Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags for all three rows. The advance side air curtains feature “roll-fold” technology to enhance protection during an extended crash event. New reinforcements in the foot well area provide for better crash protection, while side impact protection is improved with pressurized crash sensors in the doors and redesigned interior door panels.

The rise of the crossover segment

Crossovers are part of the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the United States, outpacing even the remarkable growth SUVs achieved in the 1990s. CUVs surpassed traditional SUV sales for the first time last year, and they are on the way to 3 million sales annually by the decade’s end.

Two distinct consumer trends have helped fuel the explosive growth of the CUV segment: car buyers seeking more spacious and flexible interiors along with the security of all-wheel drive, and traditional SUV buyers seeking more maneuverable and fuel-efficient vehicles that still make an active lifestyle possible.

The three-row Taurus X will complement the sporty and popular two-row, five-passenger Ford Edge in the lineup. To further underscore Ford’s commitment to leadership, the two crossovers will be joined by yet another large Ford crossover – based on the Ford Fairlane concept vehicle – which will debut later this year and go on sale in 2008.

[pow]

Ford. Taurus. X. Eddie Bauer. You've gotta be kidding me.

Why would anyone choose this over the stylish Fairlane?

[PurdueGuy]

looks fine (though bland), but the name is dumb, IMO.

[FAPTurbo]

'cause ending a word with an 'X' is cool to t3h MAAAAaaaAAaAAAAaAaaaAAaaXXxxxxXXXXXxxXxxXXXXXXxXXXXX-0rz.

Taurus-X is just inviting more insults. from reviewers and the general public.

[VenSeattle]

Mercury's getting a version - It's called the Mercury Sable L'Attitude

Yes... I'm joking, but the Sable L'Attitude was a concept for the last-gen Sable wagon.

[Sixty8panther]

Ford has lost it... they're in god damn la-la land over there in Dearborn, WAKE UP!

Did a bunch of Nabisco executives take over FoMoCo? Sure as hell seems like it.

[frogger]

OMG what a joke.

[I hope GMRULES again]

The Taurus X name is ridiculous.

[aaaantoine]

This allows Ford to group the Five Hundred and Freestyle together on the sales charts without looking like they're cheating like Toyota.

Chevy should have renamed the Monte Carlo to "Impala" for the 2006 redesign.

Edit: Hooray for proofreading.

Edited February 7, 2007 by aaaantoine

[sciguy_0504]

At least it isn't as bland as the Freestyle.

[Intrepidation]

The black one they feature on C&D's site looks pretty good...the 2-tone stuff doesn't and the name kinda stupid. They should have left it Freestyle.

[dimitri0917]

Looks more like an Explorer than the Explorer has in like ten years... Ford has issues... Who would want an explorer now?

[Drew Dowdell]

almost has a Subaru look to it...

[Croc]

Looks more like an Explorer than the Explorer has in like ten years... Ford has issues... Who would want an explorer now?

Don't knock the Explorer. The 2006 we rented to move me into college again this year was phenominal. I'd totally own one...

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

The militant Ford : Taurus X!

Fighting for the cause of the oppressed domestics.

Edited February 7, 2007 by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

[dimitri0917]

Don't knock the Explorer. The 2006 we rented to move me into college again this year was phenominal. I'd totally own one...

No problem, I'm just sayin... It looks better and it's Crossoverness means it will prolly handle better, have lower load floor, better gas milage... It just makes for a better package, ya kno?

[Flybrian]

This thing owns the Explorer in everything but offroad capabilites, as if anyone with an Explorer goes offroad anyway. Its one great vehicle that was simply too bland and 'just enough' in terms of power. Now, it just has a retarded name.

[scharmer05]

No problem, I'm just sayin... It looks better and it's Crossoverness means it will prolly handle better, have lower load floor, better gas milage... It just makes for a better package, ya kno?

The real question is, who would prefer this thing over a Lambda. They are both in the same price range. The Lambdas look dead sexy next to this thing as far as I'm concerned, and look much less wagon-like compaired to this thing. As far as Freestyle/Taurus X vs. an Explorer, I'd much rather take the Explorer. That is becuase I have a lot more use for a body on frame SUV, that I do for a car-like wagon. Then again there are a lot of people who have no use for an SUV with the off-road capability of an Explorer, but still need the room and versatility of an SUV. That is where the Freestyle wins.

[chevelle454]

Put a fork in Ford, they are done!

[Croc]

This thing owns the Explorer in everything but offroad capabilites, as if anyone with an Explorer goes offroad anyway. Its one great vehicle that was simply too bland and 'just enough' in terms of power. Now, it just has a retarded name.

Drive an Explorer, then get back to me. Qualitatively, you're right. But the Explorer has a lot of "thoughtful touches" to it that would make it a very easy vehicle to live with. How many times do you rent a vehicle and leave it saying "Man, I can see why so many people loved these! If I were in the market..."

[regfootball]

This allows Ford to group the Five Hundred and Freestyle together on the sales charts without looking like they're cheating like Toyota.

Chevy should have renamed the Monte Carlo to "Impala" for the 2006 redesign.

Edit: Hooray for proofreading.

that, and they couldn't think of any better name to come up with to replace freestyle.

everyone listen up here though, if they can undercut acadia and outlook prices by 5 grand across the board, they might see same sales gains, and big ones. the edge will bring them into the dealer. the third row will catch their eye. they will try to increase their volume by undercutting the competition on price since it isn't a style or cargo size leader.

I've always viewed the freestyle as ford's forester or outback. if they can sell a larger version essentially of that styleless product, they will come out ok. changing the name to taurus helps get the word out quicker.

now you know why we never saw the freestyle advertised. this change was in the works.

[wjfox]

Its interesting that both the 500 and Montego names (or number and name) were both recyled from the early to mid 60s. Mark Fields said that only 4 out of 10 people knew that Ford sold a car called 500. Maybe more people know they offered (and I guess they will agin) a car called Taurus, but few people that I know of who owned the last gen Taurus would use that as a reason to run back for another one.

Mr. Fields, make a competitive product and one that people want to buy and they'll remember the name. When the original Taurus came out Ford was in similar doldrums. Since the Taurus beat the GM10s out of the starting gates 8 out of 10 people knew Ford had a car called Taurus for sale within about two weeks. "Names" like 350Z, A6, RX8 and 528 mean nothing. Its the image of the car the carries the moniker that make these mean something

Its really too bad that they launched these with tepid engines and warmed over styling. The platform is a pretty good one, but the execution is pretty dull. Giving it a better drive train only solves one major problem.