Background: They're Chicago's hometown cars.
Both the Ford Taurus and its automotive twin, the Mercury Sable, are assembled within the city limits of Chicago at Ford's venerable Torrence Avenue assembly plant that opened for business in 1924. Both Taurus and Sable have been churned out of the southside plant since first hitting the streets in the 1986 model year. A second Atlanta plant also builds Ford's most popular sedan.
When Ford, the world's second-largest automaker, first debuted Taurus and Sable in the mid 1980s, the duo were an instant consumer hit. More agile than full-sized competitors while roomier than mid- size offerings, the front-wheel-drive, eye-catching duo appealed to families on a budget with children to haul. Taurus was so in demand, it ranked as the best-selling car in the United States from 1994 to 1996.
In 1996 Ford took a huge gamble when it introduced a radically redesigned Taurus with an oval rear window and sweeping new sheet metal design. The new look, greeted with some skepticism at first, slowed sales and Toyota's Camry sedan eventually overtook Taurus as best-selling car in America. Although Taurus still ranked in the "sedan top five" from 1997 through 1999, it lost some momentum.
For the 2000 model year redesign, Ford has softened the exterior look, increased engine horsepower and added a gaggle of new safety features to Taurus.
Ford sells Taurus primarily in the United States and Canada, although its exported to select world markets including China and South America.
Trim levels: Ford trimmed the number of Taurus sedans available this year. The V-8 SHO muscle version has been dropped from Taurus' 2000 lineup.
The four-door sedan is available in the entry-level LX edition and upscale SE version. Taurus wagons come solely in SE trim levels. Also, Taurus is available in a SVG "special value package" and SE comfort option package.
Engine: Taurus offers the choice of two V-6 engine choices. Standard in LX and SE models is Ford's 3.0-liter Vulcan V-6 which now boasts 155 horsepower, 10 more than the 1999 Vulcan. Taurus also offers an optional 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 with 200 horsepower, up 15 from 1999.
Safety features: Dual front air bags, five-mile-per-hour impact absorbing bumpers and an anti-theft security system come standard in all editions. Ford also boasts of interior trim and arm rests that help absorb crash energy during impacts.
The 2000 model year ushers in the addition of Ford's BeltMinder system which utilizes sensors in belt buckles to determine whether the driver or front passenger are buckled up. The sensor feeds this data to a control module and if the driver is unbelted when the vehicle is in motion, a instrument panel light illuminates and a chime intermittently sounds every 30 seconds for a five-minute period or until the front riders buckles up.
Sensors also communicate with the air bag system. If front riders are buckled, less air bag force is needed during an impact. If riders are unbuckled, more force is required for adequate protection. Seating information gets fed into the system and monitors air bag velocity depending on the buckling status of riders.
Side air bags and traction control are optional across all model lines. Also optional are power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, which pulls these foot-operated devices up to three-inches closer to the driver. Taurus is the first American car with this feature. Remote keyless entry is optional in entry-level LX, but standard in all other models.
Price: Ford provided the Daily Herald with a Silver Taurus SE with comfort package that included a starting price of $20,895. With major options including power moon roof, side impact air backs, compact disc changer and leather bucket seats, the bottom line totaled $25,045 including the $550 destination charge.
The lowest-priced Taurus, an LX edition starts at $17,790 with an SE wagon sets a checking account back $19,995. By contrast, the lowest-price Toyota Camry starts around $17,400 while a Chevrolet Malibu checks in at $16,445.
Standard equipment: Standard equipment in both all sedans and wagons include: two-speed intermittent windshield wipers, power rack and pinion steering, air conditioning, four-speed automatic transmission, tilt steering column, power windows and rear window defoggers. Wagons include rear wipers standard. Power locks and cruise control are standard in all editions except entry-level LX.
Options: An AM/FM stereo with cassette comes standard everywhere except entry-level LX sedans, where just the AM/FM stereo is a staple. Compact disc players come optional across the board. The SE "special value group" includes anti-lock brakes, power driver seat, and dual-level sun visors.
Interior: Taurus' interior provides a conservative feel when slipping behind the wheel. The all analog instrument panel includes three circular dials (odometer, tachometer, fuel). The optional traction control button is found on the sill of the panel. Headlights monitor from a dashboard dial left of the steering column. A trunk release lever is under the dash near the headlight controls. Windshield wipers monitor from the turn signal stalk while the ignition cylinder is found on the steering column.
The last generation Taurus featured an oval, center pod incorporating stereo and ventilation nuances. For the 2000 model year, a trapezoid-shaped area houses the sound system, rear window defogger, and ventilation controls. Fan speed is monitored by a toggle-like button and is the temperature. Either driver or front seat passenger can select from a series of buttons to control fan direction. The digital clock remains separate from the radio frequency display. Both illuminate with green lighting.
The dashboard stretches straight across from one door to the other for a traditional look. Some competitors opt for a more sporty cockpit-like design with controls facing more towards the driver. Directly ahead of the floor-mounted transmission is storage area for tollway change or other assorted small items. In back is an arm rest/storage bin which also houses the optional six-unit compact disc changer.
The driver's door is home to power sideview mirror control, power locks and power windows. Chrome interior door handles adorn all four doors. Ford boasts Taurus' interior is quieter by 30 percent thanks to improved sound barriers.
Seating comfort: Our SE test drive edition featured the very comfortable, optional leather seats. Headroom in front was rather tight partly because of the optional moon roof even though it increased by 0.8 inches. These natural air conditioners sometimes rob interior headroom. In back, three adults can fit in relative comfort. Back headroom has been boosted by 1.9 inches. During an extended ride up to Wisconsin, no back fatigue was evident.
Six-passenger seating comes standard in wagons, SE comfort packages and the SE sedan "SVG" (five-seating arrangements are optional in these three editions) while LX and regular SE sedans include bucket seats up front standard. With the six-passenger seating, the gear shifter moves from the floor to the steering column. The rectangular rear window and narrower pillars add up to better road visibility in all directions.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 108.5 inches
Overall length: 197.6 inches
Overall width: 73.0 inches
Overall height: 56.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,328 pounds
Exterior: Visually, the exterior change from the 1995 Taurus to 1996 was radical; the change from 1999 to 2000 is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The 2000 Taurus still bears a significant to the 1999 incarnation. Overall length increases at tad in sedan models while the hood and trunk have been raised, resulting in a less droopy, more upright stance. Only the windshield, side glass and doors are carryovers. All other exterior panels are new. Taillamps are larger and the roof redesigned. The oval back window of the 1999 Taurus gives way to a more traditional rectangular shape, raised slightly to provide more headroom.
A wider grille opening and larger headlights provide the front end with a more substantial look.
The four flush-mounded door handles are body color as are side view mirrors. The whip radio antenna is found on the left rear fender while the non-locking, circular fuel tank door is found on the right side rear fender. Larger sixteen-inch tires come standard this year (replacing 15-inch varieties) adding to a more stable ride. Honda's Accord and Chevrolet's Malibu continue rolling on 15- inch varieties. Wagons come with a luggage rack standard. Five- spoke aluminum wheels come standard in all editions except the LX sedan, which includes bolt-on wheel covers.
Trunk: A temporary spare tires stows below the flat-floored trunk, which includes Ford's child-friendly glow-in-the-dark interior handle, helping to cut down on inadvertent trunk lock ins. A standard size spare is available as an option if desired.
Trunk size increases a tad from 1999, measuring 17 cubic feet (above average for the mid-size segment), up from 15.8 cubic feet last year. By contrast, the Honda Accord sedan's trunk includes 14.1 cubic feet of space While Toyota's Camry boasts the same 14.1 cubic feet.
Target buyers: Half of all Taurus buyers are women. Medium age is skewed to the higher end of the spectrum at 50-years of age, but Ford will target the new 2000 Taurus to the 40-something crowd. Current household income of Taurus buyers is approximately $60,000.
Fuel economy: Our six-cylinder Duratec engine with four-speed automatic transmission averaged 20 miles per gallon in city travel and 28 m.p.g along the highway; inline with the industry norm. The fuel tank holds 16 gallons of unleaded regular 87-octane fuel.
Final thoughts: Besides safety improvements and new look is inside and out, Ford worked to reduce body sway and soften the overall Taurus ride. Larger 16-inch tires help to enhance the ride, too.
The lowest-priced Taurus LX starts below $18,000 including automatic transmission and air conditioning, making it an attractive option to families searching for an economic means of travel. |