The fourth generation Ford Taurus is a car manufactured by Ford for the 2000 to 2007 model. While mechanically similar to its predecessor from 1996-1999, a major revision of the sedan bodyshell was made to alter its controversial style as well as increase the interior space ; it is available in four-door and five-door sedan models.
The fourth-generation Taurus will be the final that comes from the original model line of 1986. In 2004 and 2005, as part of efforts to increase the use of the global sourced platform, Ford introduced the Volvo developed Five Hundred and Mazda-developed Fusion to fill the Taurus slot on the line Ford (for non-fleet buyers, Five Hundred also serves as a substitute for Crown Victoria).
The Taurus signboards back in 2008, when Ford renamed Five Hundreds to increase its sales.
Video Ford Taurus (fourth generation)
Overview
Exterior
When the third generation Taurus made its debut, he was hurt by his design criticism, which was formed from the design elements of an oval derivative. The design is highly controversial, and severely limits the appeal of the car. As a result, for the fourth generation Taurus, Ford designed it with a quieter corner design, as part of Ford's New Edge style, in hopes of enhancing the appeal of the car. Instead of tilting backwards, the trunk of this car stands up in a more traditional form, which greatly increases the luggage space. The roof is also raised to a more upright position to increase the headroom, which can be seen by thicker C pillars and larger areas between the top of the door and the top of the roof.
The front and rear clips are also redesigned on the Taurus and Sable sedans; all body panels are brand new except doors. Station wagons receive a new front clip but from their back firewall it is basically the same as the wagons 1996-1999. The Taurus now has a turn signal integrated into the headlamp, similar to that of the previous generation Sable. The front bumper is also redesigned to include a larger front grille which, like the previous generation, contains a chrome rod that passes through the center that contains the Ford logo. The rear clip was redesigned with larger trunks and trunklids, as mentioned above, as well as giving Taurus two large taillights as opposed to the rear lightbar used on previous generation cars. Installed on top of the trunklid is a large chrome rod that contains the Ford logo, like on the front. In 2003 for the 2004 model year, the front clip was slightly redesigned, and Taurus got a new front bumper and grille. The grille was made smaller, with removable chrome blades, replaced only with a large Ford logo in the middle. The rear light is slightly redesigned, initially to enter the amber bend signal, but this was canceled at eleventh hour. Instead, the rear is given a larger reverse lamp, and the chrome bars above the license plate are removed.
Interior
Like the exterior, the interior is completely redesigned in a more conservative style, although some features of the previous car were carried away. Dashboards have a more linear look, instead of arcing around the driver. The "Integrated Control Panel" is carried but enlarged, reshaped, and placed in the center of the dashboard, not tilted toward the driver. The Flip-Fold center console was also carried but it was changed too. When folded, it is now placed on the floor not on the dashboard, and has different cupholders and storage areas. Unlike the previous Taurus, this one offers a rear cupholder that slid or folded out of the front console, depending on which console the car is equipped with.
The Taurus interior is available in two configurations; front seat seats with mounted column shifter and Flip-Fold center console, or bucket seats with traditional consoles and floor-mounted shifter. The configuration for the steering column mounted shifter and center console, which made a short refund for 1999, has been dropped. The interior also contains many new safety features; side airbags, tether straps, and sparkle on the release of dark rods installed in the trunk. The interior also contains a new system called Ford's "Advanced Personal Safety System". This system, at the time of collision, will detect the driver and passenger position as well as the use of seat belts, and will inflate the airbag to fit, possibly preventing airbag-related injuries. For 2004, the interior got a small revision. This includes a new steering wheel with a central airbag pad that is shaped like an inverted taco and a new gauge with a diagnostic center that will tell if there are problems with the car, as well as the average fuel economy. It is also capable of performing "system checks" at the request of the driver to ensure that the machine is functioning properly.
Models and machines
Two 1999 models were brought, and two were added. The most fundamental model is LX, with SE as the middle price model. Two new trim levels are offered for the year 2000: SE Special Value Group and top-end SE Comfort models. The new trim level is replaced next year to SES and SEL respectively. The SES and LX models were dropped in 2005, leaving SE and SEL.
The SEL line received several improvements for 2003, to provide a more luxurious image. Among the changes there are new cluster instruments, wheels, as well as a bit of a redesign of the dash, with woodgrain replacing black trims. It also got a woodgrain on the steering wheel and around the power window switch on the front door. Also in 2003, Ford created the Taurus Centennial Edition to celebrate Ford's 100th anniversary. This special taurus includes many extras, such as light wood trim, special leather chairs, black accented headlights, special wheels, special leather casing for owner's manuals, leather jackets that say "Ford: 100 Years", similar watches, and a letter from William Clay Ford, Jr. Production is limited to 4,000 units.
For 2002, 2003 and 2004, the SES model received the "Sport" package, which consists of a five-finger rim known as "slicers", and the Duratec engine standard. In addition, the exterior of the vehicle receives Sport badging on the front panels, the chrome blades on the grille are changed to body color, the interior receives two-color fabric chairs, applique two-color dashboard, special "Sport" floor mats, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. This model is only offered in four colors.
The engine was carried from the previous generation, with Vulcan being the only engine available in the LX and SE, producing 155 horsepower (116 kW) and 185Ã, ft? Lbf (251 Ã, Â ± m) of torque, and as a base engine on SES. Duratec engine is optional on SES and standard on SEL, producing 200 horsepower (150 kW). For 2005, with the LX and SES models dropped, Duratec was only available in the SEL, and in 2006 Duratec was dropped altogether, with Vulcan being the standard and only machine available in the SEL. Some pre-2004 Vulcans are mated to a four-speed AX4S automatic transmission; all other Taurus of this generation receive the AX4N transmission.
Maps Ford Taurus (fourth generation)
Variant
Mercury Sable
The Mercury Sable, a Taurus sister model intended for a more luxurious audience, was also redesigned for the year 2000. Like the previous generation, Sable shares all mechanical components with Taurus with a unique body. The new Sable is also largely carried over from the previous model, with limited changes to the new front fascia, rear fascia, wheels, roof and higher luggage, and new interior, although the interior is the same design of Taurus with added woodgrain. cut. Like the previous generation, Sable offers the same powertrains and equipment as Taurus. Sable is again offered in GS and LS models in wagons and body sedan styles, with new top-of-the-line LS Premium trims. The LS Platinum edition is also offered in short order. Sable was updated in 2004 with new grille, front bumper, steering wheel, instrument cluster, wheel and taillamps. The Sable was discontinued in 2005 and replaced by Mercury Montego (which will be renamed Sable in 2008) and Mercury Milan. This Sable generation is not sold in Canada, because the Mercury name plate was suspended there in 2000.
Termination and restore of brand name
Sales of Taurus had declined significantly in the years before its collapse, losing significant market share to Japanese counterparts. The Taurus, once a best-selling midsize sedan, has lost its position when exceeded in sales by Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and in 2005 fell to # 4 behind Nissan Altima. Due to diminishing popularity and customer demand, Ford decided to slowly stop Taurus. Taurus cart production was discontinued on December 8, 2004; retail sales of sedans were discontinued after 2006 short models, and Taurus was sold exclusively to fleets in the United States, while still being sold to retail customers in Canada. Production ended on 27 October 2006, when Ford budgeted the Atlanta plant, as part of the restructuring plan "The Way Forward".
The last Ford Taurus slid from the assembly line around 7:00 am, aimed for delivery to S. Truett Cathy, owner of Chick-fil-A. Mr. original restaurant Cathy is located opposite the Ford Atlanta factory. There are no official events or functions that mark the end of production. Instead of investing in an older nameplate, Ford decided to replace the Taurus with a Five Hundred and full-size sedan, and replace the Taurus cart with a Freestyle crossover SUV.
The termination of Taurus was controversial, especially in the context of Ford's well-publicized financial problems at the time. While many believe that Taurus is stopped because it can no longer compete in the growing sedan market, others believe that if Ford wants to save the car, they can easily do it. The autoblog goes so far as to call Taurus the greatest fall of grace in history, and even blame Ford's current financial problems for their failure to keep Taurus competitive, and how they focus almost all of their development and marketing resources on trucks and SUVs.. The Truth About Cars publishes a review/editorial which also shows their disappointment about how Ford ignored Taurus to become a "rental car".
MSNBC interviewed many Ford workers who felt that Ford unfairly abandoned a car that had done a lot to revive Ford and the US industry. In an editorial of USA Today October 25, 2006 edition, "How Ford is starving at Taurus", it is noted that the Japanese remain with the winner and make it better (like Toyota Corolla, which has been continuously produced since the 1960s), Detroit automobile retirement cars or entire nameplates division to search for "next big thing".
However, after Alan Mulally took the position of CEO of Ford, rumors rampant that he was interested in reviving the Taurus. This was driven by the fact that he said in an interview with the Associated Press that he was at a loss to know that Taurus had been terminated while taking on the position of CEO at Ford, stating that he believed that stopping the Taurus was a mistake, and that Five Hundred should have been named "Taurus " from the beginning. Rumors about Taurus revival may be confirmed in mid-2007, when the revamped version of Five Hundred and Freestyle was unveiled as "Taurus" and "Taurus X" at the Chicago Auto Show 2007, a decision strongly influenced by Mulally. In later interviews, Mulally explained that the fact that Taurus is famous and has a positive brand equity associated with it greatly influences his decision to revive the name.
References and notes
External links
- Taurus Owner Club and Sable
- The Taurus Ford official site
- Taurus Car Club of America
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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