2010 Ford Taurus Officially Unveiled

[Sprint XR8]

Ford has today unveiled its 2010 Taurus full-size sedan and it seems appropriate to take a closer look. With Ford Australia confirming late last year that it was hanging onto the Australian I6 engine, and not re-engineering the current Falcon to accept Ford’s range of Duratec V6 engines, it got us thinking…

If Ford was intending to continue with its development of the Australian RWD Falcon, wouldn’t it be spending money re-engineering it to accept the Duratec V6? Is it possible that Ford Australia’s move back to the I6 engine is the most obvious clue yet that it will ultimately cease manufacturing the local Falcon?


Has Ford already decided that the Australian-designed and built Falcon will be consigned to history, when the current model has run its course? Which begs the question, what would Ford Australia replace the locally built Falcon with?

Enter the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/166...omment-page-1/

[Buzz Box]

I must say you hear this rumour getting more and more traction as time goes on.........

Although my understanding is the Taurus is like an American Mondeo? So Europe has the Mondeo and USA Taurus.......

(I do understand they are different cars but the position in line up and size and status within the company and flagships etc)

[Dave_au]

Quite conservative, looks like the bastard love child of a Camry and a Mondeo.

[snappy]

its got potential at least there's a awd option

[Ohio XB]

Certainly better than the current version. The list of technology in this thing is extensive!


The next gen US Fusion and Mondeo are being designed on the same platform so I don't think the Mondeo is in the same segment as the Taurus as the Taurus is a "Full-sized" car, like the Crown Vic.


Steve

[MethodX]

Looks quite nice on the outside.
Prefer the Falcon interior though.

I like the interceptor/60's big Ford styled tail lights.

[The Monty]

Looks very mondeoish. But in saying that, thats not such a bad thing. Good thing is that there is an AWD version, but I dont like the interior.

[GS608]

it won't sell, its too american, inside looks worse than the commodores and the exterior isnt much better..

they can't dump the falcon for obvious reasons, what happens to the ute and territory?
they're dreaming if they think that thing will cover the loss of sales from 3 models..

[FPV8U]

Looks better than the last few efforts, hopefully it sells well.

[damir05]

its looks really good only thing i dont like is gear leaver its retarded reminds me of old laser autos , also wonder how would sports version look like

[fairlane71]

If I had the money, I'd buy that in AWD over a a G6E.

[MethodX]

Rumors are getting stronger of a new Tuarus SHO.
with 340–350-hp, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6.

Sounds promising

[4Vman]

Has an "Audi" feel to its styling..
Its available AWD too.. if its a genuinely large sized sedan and they can fit an 8 under the bonnet the Falcon is in real trouble....

[MethodX]

V8 4WD Falcon , yes cool.

If they attempted a V8 FWD, theyd deserve to get shot. lol

[Luke Plaizier]

They've had a FWD V8 in the past.

I struggle with the comment that the 'Taurus is a full sized car like the Crown Vic'. The Falcon was much bigger than the Taurus when it was here, and the Crown Vic is the same size again above the Falcon. I can, however, understand that the Mondeo and Taurus might be built on the same platform. Can anyone say Camry and Aurion clone anyone?


Lukeyson

[Bud Bud]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Has an "Audi" feel to its styling..
Its available AWD too.. if its a genuinely large sized sedan and they can fit an 8 under the bonnet the Falcon is in real trouble....

I agree! But having said that, I will go one further and say that this effort even actually looks like a modern Falcon crossed with maybe an Audi or Beema, in a subtle (good) way. I think that the FG Falcon could of easily leaned towards this styling in the first place.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

The Falcon was much bigger than the Taurus when it was here, and the Crown Vic is the same size again above the Falcon.

Lukeyson

The Taurus was longer and had more interior space than the Falcon.

[BrisVegas]

I think the styling is fine. It looks like a natural extension of the current Falcon & Mondeo. Future cars always look a bit oddball, but they quickly become familiar shapes. It'll be a shame to lose the 4.0 inline six engine, but if that Taurus is the future, then at least Ford has something reasonable with which to compete against the Accord/Aurion/Maxima/P.O.S.Commodore...

[Cobra]

Looks nice, and probably goes well too. I doubt they'd get a V8 in it as they'd need to engineer the upcoming 5L mustang engine to mout transversely and that, combined with space issues would cause it to be a very expensive operation with a result of something that probably handles worse, uses more fuel, and may not even go any better than the TT V6 anyway.

I do think that thi will replace the Falcon. I hate saying it, but I really think it will happen. I guess we will find out well and truely before 2013, because they wouldn't be too far off designing a new falcon now, an we will find out soon enough if there will be a GRWD or not. Seeing what's happened with the GM and the Zeta platform, and Pontiac subesquently dropping the G8, combined with the very unpredictable global economic situation, it's something that is just too out there to develop a 1billion+ RWD platform. The Mustang may be our only hope of a new Falcon. Interesting times ahead...

[TZENU]

The front end has the Mondeo influence whilst the rear end looks to have a cross between Volkswagen/Audi influence....

Looks good and has an impressive list of features

[FoMoKid]

Boring and blocky! And looks very similar to the Chev Volt.
Is this FordNA's attempt at merging the 3-block-design of America and the Kinetic design of Europe? FAIL in my opinion. I'm sorry guys, but i don't see much connection to Mondeo or Falcon. Sure it has the trapezoidal grill but it is still very slab-sided, none of the flowing lines we see on the Kinetic design language. Lets hope we don't get it down here.

[MethodX]

Has some Interceptor cues, which isnt a bad thing.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/f...ceptor-concep/

[JMO]

If there gonna replace the falcon with this, at least give us the option to buy a Mustang instead.

EDIT: Better yet, give the yanks the Falcon rebadged as a Taurus instead of spending money engineering this.

[bathurst77]

Quite attractive not too American
It has both Falcon and Mondeo looks about it inside and out. They could slipstream a facelifted version of this as the all new falcon post 2011.

Not crazy about the interior, its not BAD but not wonderful. Love the gauges and how they light up, I hope they replace the prndl and paddles with normal tiptronic style selector lever.
Mondeo like steering wheel, and Ba falcon like HVAC knobs, the covers over the ashtray and cup holders remind me of mondeo.

Exterior is nice. In fact I really like it, back is sexy.
NO ROUND TAIL LIGHTS! Hurray Im soo over round tail lights, every car seems to have round tail lights these days.
And tail lights where you can see the globes, looks cheap to me.

One of them Taurus, with AWD twin turbo or supercharger, lowered, dual twin exhaust and a nice understated body kit. Hmmm yes please.

[Daymoe]

I love this car, it looks awesome.The interior is real nice, but I suppose thats because I actually like American cars.

[Ford Fox]

Doesnt look that bad at all but still prefer the Mondeo look over this car. If they were to bring it to Australia as the falcon replacement, i hope they dont put the Taurus name on it! It wouldnt sell.
Few styling tweaks + AWD + the falcon name: i would be happy to have this as the next falcon.

[blackwood]

Well if this has to be the next Falcon, I'd be happy as long as the whole range is AWD. No FWD.
I have to say, the styling of the new Taurus appeals to me more than previous Taurus'.
Allow the Ford Aus team to develop a local version and build it here in RHD. I think it could be a winner.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by Ford Fox

Doesnt look that bad at all but still prefer the Mondeo look over this car. If they were to bring it to Australia as the falcon replacement, i hope they dont put the Taurus name on it! It wouldnt sell.
Few styling tweaks + AWD + the falcon name: i would be happy to have this as the next falcon.

There's no way this should be called a Falcon. It's not a falcon at all. If they want to get rid of the Falcon, they should just sell this by it's real name, that way it will sell or not on it own merits. Most people wouldn't buy it because it was called a Falcon when everyone knows that it is as much a Falcon is a Focus is. Calling it a Falcon is the sacrilige. I've pretty much accepted that the Falcon being dropped is probably a reality, so if it's dropped, EVERYTHING gets dropped and retired into automotive history including the name!

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by blackwood

Well if this has to be the next Falcon, I'd be happy as long as the whole range is AWD. No FWD.
I have to say, the styling of the new Taurus appeals to me more than previous Taurus'.
Allow the Ford Aus team to develop a local version and build it here in RHD. I think it could be a winner.

It may come down to that. If the Falcon is dropped and we get this, we may end up assembling the vehciles in a kit form just like what Toyota do. It would be a biter pill to swallow losing the Falcon, but if most of the jobs can be salvaged by assmebling this vehicle here then all is not lost. At the end of the day, jobs are more important than anything else.

[blackwood]

Well if they don't call it Falcon. What would they call it?
Selling it as Taurus would be suicide considering the stigma attached to that name in Australia.

Futura?

G6?