Several years ago, when Ford CEO Alan Mulally famously decreed that the Taurus badge would be dusted off and returned to prominence in the Ford lineup, it was one of several bold moves that helped spur Ford's renaissance. But with Taurus sales sagging this year, the car "that's more than just a car" to Ford needs a shot in the sheetmetal, hence the debut of the 2013 Ford Taurus at the 2011 New York show.
The biggest news surrounding the updated 2013 Taurus is the pending addition of Ford's new 2.0-liter EcoBoost four to the engine bay, tentatively rated for the Taurus at 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. A four in the Taurus? Why not, says Derrick Kuzak, Ford's chief product honcho. With the Edge and Explorer set to get a version of the same engine, it makes sense, he says. And the estimated 31 mpg highway number the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is expected to deliver will no doubt help with the marketing spin.
Taurus buyers still looking for two extra cylinders will be able to select Ford's revamped 3.5-liter V-6, which serves duty as the standard engine. The updated six is estimated to deliver 290 horsepower (up by 27 hp) and 255 pound-feet with slightly better fuel economy, thanks in large part to the addition of Ti-VCT, Ford's twin independent variable camshaft timing tech. Continuing to power the Taurus SHO is Ford's much-lauded 365 horsepower, 3.5-liter EcoBoost, which remains unchanged. All engines will continue to be mated to six-speed automatics, optimized for each engine. All-wheel drive remains an option.
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