- The 2013 Ford Taurus debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show, running the gamut from a new fuel-efficient model with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine to a sportier Taurus SHO model.
- The Taurus with the EcoBoost engine is expected to deliver 31 mpg on the highway — a significant increase over the 2011 Ford Taurus with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 28 mpg on the highway.
- The 2013 Ford Taurus will go on sale in spring 2012.
NEW YORK — The 2013 Ford Taurus debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show, running the gamut from a new fuel-efficient model with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine to a sportier Taurus SHO model.
The 2013 Ford Taurus will go on sale in spring 2012, according to Octavio Navarro, a Ford spokesman. He said the 2012 Taurus will go on sale this spring. Pricing on the 2013 Taurus was not announced.
The Taurus with the EcoBoost engine is expected to deliver 31 mpg on the highway — a significant increase over the 2011 Ford Taurus with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 28 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The EPA has not yet rated any 2013 vehicles.
The Taurus will be the first car in Ford's North American lineup to offer the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which combines a turbocharger with gasoline direct injection. The engine will deliver an estimated 237 horsepower, said Ford
.The refreshed 2013 Taurus gets what Ford calls a "more muscular hood," along with larger wheels and tires. The cabin gets upgraded materials.
The 2013 Taurus also adds "curve control," which Ford said is "a braking innovation aimed at slowing the vehicle, if it senses that a driver inadvertently enters a curve too quickly."
The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO with standard all-wheel drive gets the carry-over 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 365 hp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 Taurus SHO gets a black mesh grille and high-intensity-discharge headlights. The Taurus SHO performance package adds new brakes, 20-inch wheels with summer performance tires and an enhanced heavy-duty cooling system.
The cabin of the Taurus SHO gets a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-trimmed sport seats with SHO graphics, woven aluminum trim and adjustable aluminum pedals with memory.
Inside Line says: Fuel economy is the Holy Grail at the 2011 New York Auto Show, even when it comes to larger cars like the 2013 Ford Taurus. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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wjtinatl says:
08:11 PM, 04/21/2011
I've had several Taurus as rentals on week-long business trips. Mostly well-quipped Limited models with the 3.5L V-6. As far a full-size sedans go, I've found it to be one of the best. Much more engaging to drive than the Avalon or Lucerne and roomier than the Lacrosse, Azera and Camry/Accord/Sonata class cars. But.... The 300/Charger is a better driver, the weakness is the interior and engine. It appears the '11 LX cars with the Pentastar and vastly upgraded interior could level the playing field. Finally, as I've enjoyed the Taurus, I've looked at them repeatedly as a potential replacement for one of the family SUV's. Unfortunately, they are not competitively priced in the segment. A Limited with leather, moonroof and upgraded audio (package) is 37.6k, while a fully loaded (Nav, roof, adaptive cruise, etc.) Hemi Charger is 36.5k. After driving an '11 Charger Hemi, no way the Taurus get's the nod. And the mileage difference between the V-6 Ford and the Hemi Charger is 10% or less as well. Sorry, the Taurus is nice, but way overpriced.
openeyes1 says:
04:32 PM, 04/21/2011
@alc_scg; Good Post!
Who is responsible for Americans buying bigger cars, that has to fall on the shoulders of the Auto Industry and the SUV buying public. As our roadways get filled with SUV driving idiots, intent on endangering the lives of those driving smaller cars, the move to something bigger makes sense in this case. This Ford Taurus will appeal to those of us out there, that want to increase the margin of safety between us and the the reckless driving SUV public.
a1c_scg says:
04:05 PM, 04/21/2011
zoolander1-
I sell Fords, and most Taurus buyers seem to be older folks looking to replace their Grand Marquis/Town Car/Crown Vic or drivers of Azeras/Avalons who want something pretty nice, but still affordable and domestic.
The Taurus has way more room inside, and is just a much nicer car. The Fusion has some pretty glaring ergonomic flaws if you ask me, and it feels almost flimsy after driving a Taurus. Not to mention it is underpowered. Ford needs to update the interior and come out w/ some new engine choices to make the Fusion a class leader. It can't receive that EcoBoost 4, and a good DI base 4 soon enough.
compressor-
The high beltline of the Taurus is an issue for some people. It's not really a hindrance in driving though. The seats sit fairly high up and give a good view out the front and sides. Rearward is definitely less than stellar, but it's not horrible. Most of them have a backup camera and blindspot indicating system, and that helps some.
I'll be honest, it's not the perfect car, but I had no idea how good it was until I started selling them. People love them, and they sell really well for us. Can't speak for other dealers, but the Taurus is one of our best sellers.
And I'm all for weight loss and better packaging.
compressor says:
04:03 PM, 04/21/2011
I've sat in one but never driven it. I have no doubt it is extremely nice to drive in its intended way. The interior is very nice. I am just somewhat concerned by the lack of visibility that comes with such mass. It it not so much the car size, but the hugeness of everything: a/b/c-pillars, extremely high beltline, rear deck height that reaches Everest.
Perhaps it has enough cameras and awesome mirrors. But that doesn't discount the feeling I get when I am side by side next to one. Regardless of which of my cars I am in, my head it almost below the beltline level. This doesn't give one much confidence that the Taurus driver will see you if they decide to change lanes.
Maybe the next Taurus with get washed in hot water and dried on high.
ambee514 says:
03:56 PM, 04/21/2011
I think I like the current one better, but I am sure this one will grow on me soon
zoolander1 says:
03:52 PM, 04/21/2011
All good comments. I would like to add that Taurus biggest enemy is the Ford Fusion. I find little reason to pick the Taurus over the Fusion. The Fusion is so handsome and even the first generation is still appealing. The Taurus has that bloated look of American sedans of the past. If Ford threw that 3.5 Eco-boost in the Fusion it would kill the Taurus.
This is kind of like the Altima-Maxima dilemma with Nissan, why would anyone pay thousands more for the Maxima?
jscion says:
03:52 PM, 04/21/2011
I like the idea of a 2.0L Turbo in this thing, some would like a large car that doesn't eat gas. What I don't like is the name....don't like the idea of telling people that I drive a Ford Taurus.
a1c_scg says:
03:50 PM, 04/21/2011
@ michael_s-
Okay, so I should've said 'about the same size'. Fair enough. But still it's not that much bigger. Maybe it just doesn't wear it's mass as well. But when to cars like this, I like something that looks solid substantial.
@chickenman3-
No power increases. But it honestly doesn't need it. And there's aftermarket bolt-on kits that put it above 400hp easily.
chickenman3 says:
02:29 PM, 04/20/2011
What happened to the rumored 400hp 3.5 EcoBoost for the refreshed SHO model?
michael_s says:
02:26 PM, 04/20/2011
@a1c_scg,
The Charger is 199.9 inches long, 75 inches wide, 58.4 inches tall.
The Genesis sedan is 195.9 inches long, 74.4 inches wide, 58.1 inches tall.
The Taurus is 202.9 inches long, 76.2 inches wide, 60.7 inches tall. It may not seem like much, but when you look at them side by side it's noticeably bigger than other large sedans. You need something like a Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Crown Victoria, or Mercedes S class to make the Taurus look normal size.
The Charger SRT-8, Genesis R-spec, and Taurus SHO are all fantastic vehicles. I love monster V8s, so if I had the money (and I don't) I would get the Charger. But I respect any choice of the three.