Ford Taurus (fourth generation)
| Ford Taurus (fourth generation) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | October 1999–October 27, 2006 |
| Model years | 2000-2007 (2007: fleet sales only) |
| Assembly |
Atlanta Assembly, Hapeville, Georgia, United States Chicago Assembly, Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Designer | Moray Callum (1996) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Ford D186 platform |
| Related |
Mercury Sable Lincoln Continental |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed AX4N automatic 4-speed AX4S automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in (2,756 mm) |
| Length | Sedan: 197.6 in (5,019 mm) Station wagon: 197.7 in (5,022 mm) |
| Width | 73.0 in (1,854 mm) |
| Height | Sedan: 56.1 in (1,425 mm) Station wagon: 57.8 in (1,468 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,316 lb (1,504 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
Ford Taurus (third generation) Ford Contour |
| Successor |
Ford Taurus (fifth generation) Ford Fusion Ford Five Hundred Ford Freestyle/Taurus X (station wagon) |
The fourth-generation Ford Taurus is an automobile that was produced by Ford for the 2000 to 2007 model years. While mechanically similar to its 1996-1999 predecessor, major revisions to the bodyshell of the sedan were done to alter its controversial styling as well as add interior room; it was available in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon models.
The fourth-generation Taurus would be the final derived from the original 1986 model line. In 2004 and 2005, as part of its effort to increase the use of globally sourced platforms, Ford introduced the Volvo-developed Five Hundred and Mazda-developed Fusion to fill the slot of the Taurus in the Ford line (for non-fleet buyers, the Five Hundred also served as a replacement for the Crown Victoria).
The Taurus nameplate returned in 2008, as Ford renamed the Five Hundred to increase its sales.
When the third generation Taurus debuted, it was hurt by criticism of its design, which was formed from oval derived design elements. The design was very controversial, and it strongly limited the appeal of the car. As a result, for the fourth generation Taurus, Ford designed it with a more subdued, angular design, as part of Ford's New Edge styling, in hopes of increasing the car's appeal. Instead of sloping back, this car's trunk stood upright in a more traditional shape, which greatly increased trunk space. The roof was also raised into a more upright stance to increase headroom, which can be seen by the thicker C-pillar and larger area between the tops of the doors and the top of the roof.
The front and rear clips were also redesigned on the Taurus and Sable sedans; all body panels were brand-new except the doors. Station wagons received the new front clips but from the firewall back they were essentially the same as the 1996-1999 wagons. The Taurus now had the turn signals integrated into the headlamps, similar to that of the previous generation Sable. The front bumper was also redesigned to include a larger front grille which, like the previous generation, contained a chrome bar running through the middle containing the Ford logo. The rear clip was redesigned with a larger trunk and trunklid, as mentioned above, as well as giving the Taurus two large taillights as opposed to the rear lightbar used in the previous generation cars. Mounted on the trunklid was a large chrome bar containing the Ford logo, like in the front. In 2003 for the 2004 model year, the front clip was slightly redesigned, and the Taurus got a new front bumper and grille. The grille was made smaller, with the chrome bar removed, replaced by just a large Ford logo in the center. The taillights were slightly redesigned, originally to include amber turn signals, but this was cancelled at the eleventh hour. Instead the rear was given larger reverse lights, and the chrome bar above the license plate bracket was deleted.
...
Wikipedia