REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Ford Taurus:

Back to the drawing board Ford ’ s spotlight has been on the Focus recently, leaving this fifth generation Taurus in the shadows.

So it ’ s with no fanfare that the Taurus arrived in the showrooms last year. To consumers, the Taurus needs no introduction, since it ’ s considered a solid buy. Still, that didn ’ t help this car climb to the rank of the best-sellers in its category. Will this new offering steal the crown from the leader of the last few years, the Toyota Camry?

The overdone styling of the previous generation Taurus obviously wasn ’ t very popular with its conservative clientele. So the Ford stylists got out their rulers and erasers and redrew its previously rather affected shape.Sure, there will be a lot of opinions on this new body, but everyone will agree this time that function has won out over style. But it ’ s not just our head that benefit from the stylists ’ new scribblings. Our legs also get a few more centimetres to stretch out in.

That said, on board it feels as though five adults have lots of space to take their seats without bumping elbows too much, and all the occupants have three point seat belts (bravo!). On the other hand, no headrest rises from the back of the rear seat. What a shame! And as for the trunk, it is much larger, and as a bonus has the ability to expand into the passenger compartment by lowering part or all of the seat back.

Once seated, you ’ ll be in a good position to appreciate the extent of the renovations. First, there are the front and rear seats. Those in our test vehicle were enveloped in leather under which there was no heating element to roast your caboose with on our cold winter nights. Anyone, large or small, will appreciate the adjustable pedals (optional) which use an electric control to advance or retract, meaning that the smaller among us will not have to sniff the plastic (or leather, depending on the finishing chosen) that covers the steering wheel rim. Taller folks will be able to relax their arms. It ’ s original, but contrary to the Ford publicists ’ claims, this so-called ‘ invention ’ had already been used in the 70s on the Maserati Bora. Nonetheless, we should admit that even if it ’ s not a ‘ world first ’ it ’ s a darned good idea. Now, if only the control were a little less friendly with the other seat control buttons. It ’ s easy to confuse them. So they should have included a locking mechanism to prevent them from being moved by accident. Similarly, the steering column should be adjustable not only for height, but for depth.

Under our noses was a clear, legible and complete instrument panel. We would just have preferred a dial reminding us what gear we were on the dashboard, so as not to have to take our eyes off the road in the model with the shift stick on the floor.True, the Taurus doesn ’ t lay on the technology very thick. Its concentrates more on Ford ’ s established strengths.

Nothing new about the body? At first sight, we ’ re tempted to say no. But that wouldn ’ t do justice to the effort Ford ’ s engineers put into rethinking a number of parts with the goal of raising this intermediate ’ s refinement level by a notch.

Unfortunately, the people in charge at Ford have stubbornly stuck to mounting their 3.0 litre OHV V6 engine on the base models The 1,515 kilogram Taurus sits very heavily on the backs of the 155 horses this motor has to offer. Of course, they get winded while accelerating. It would have been better to use the V6 Duratec, whose cylindre head has four valves per cylindre for more muscular performance. I know, you ’ ll have to put down a bundle of money for that ($1,495 in all), but in return you get 200 horses that don ’ t drag their shoes under the weight of the coupling system.

What should we think of the two available engine systems? You ’ re better off with the 200 horsepower 3.0 litre for pick- up and acceleration, without counting the fact that it ’ s also more supple and fluid. According to the manufacturer, the two engines are practically nose-to-nose in combined city-highway fuel consumption (9.7 to 9.9 litres/100km). And whichever of the two you take, each stocks a 4-speed automatic transmission whose quality will blow your mind.

Taurus ’ designers say they haven ’ t skimped on safety, and yet they found a way, no doubt under the influence of accountants obsessed with resale value, to staple a pair of drums onto the rear wheels of the sedan and the wagon (the latter previously counted on discs). You should also know that the LX offers an antilock system as an option, as opposed to the more expensive styles that get it with no charge. The antiskid mechanism (which keeps the drive wheels from slipping on a low traction surface) is classed as an option. Even with these features (antilock and antiskid), when tested the Taurus is nothing special in terms of braking.

Offering a smooth ride and well-controlled body movements, the independent four-wheel suspension, is finely calibrated to offer an effective compromise between roadhandling and comfort. And speaking of comfort, let ’ s not forget that on a long and boring strip of asphalt the Taurus is known for its stability and a predisposition to let the kilometres just slip by. On a more winding route, the Taurus is nothing to snicker at either. Whoever is sitting behind the wheel can expect to find him or herself grinning just a little. The automatic steering is perfectly calibrated, though a little heavy at low speeds. Don ’ t bother getting out your tape measure, but the turning radius has grown a bit, the larger tires have something to do with that, and this makes some maneuvers a little more complex than others. The Taurus has the refinement, agility and temperament of some of its rivals, but its interior dimensions and purchase price give it a certain advantage. And since it ’ s still as reliable as ever, we ’ ll wager it will be found parked in lots of driveways this year.

PROS
More attractive styling
Spacious passenger compartment
Smooth ride

CONS
Turning radius makes it
less maneuverable
No heating units for the leather bucket seats 3.0
litre base V6 engine only adequate

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * * *
Passenger: * * *