Your Father’s Taurus Was Never Like This…

The Ford Taurus for 2008 has been completely re-designed from its previous incarnation.

The First Taurus

The Ford Taurus was first produced in 1985 for release in 1986. These cars gave their manufactures a revamped and revitalized appearance. A new aerodynamic design and an emphasis on increased visibility paved the way for enthusiastic customers.

This front wheel drive, mid-sized vehicle was offered either as a four door sedan or as a station wagon. Purchasers could select either bucket front seats or opt for a bench front seat increasing the passenger size from 5 to six. The Ford Taurus weighed approximately 3200 pounds.

The L and MT-5 versions were standard versions of the Taurus. The Taurus GL provided a mid-level upgrade while the Taurus LX was the accessory loaded model. The GL included air-conditioning, power windows and locks, a power driver’s seat feature, cruise control and a stereo cassette.

With the exception of the LX, the original Ford Taurus contained four cylinder, 2.5 liter and 90 horsepower engines. The mid-sized car needed more power, so most purchasers added the optional 3.0 liter V6 engine.

The Ford Taurus SHO

Ford introduced the Taurus SHO, Super High Output, in 1989. This new version provided a 220 horsepower, 24 valve, 3.0 liter Yamaha engine and a sport suspension system. This model was offered with a five-speed standard transmission. The SHO was not available in an automatic transmission model.

Ford Taurus SHO vs Ford Mustang GT

Two of the greatest cars I’ve ever owned. My 1990 Ford Taurus SHO, highly modified, up against my 2005 Ford Mustang GT, bone stock. Both are five speed manuals. Mustang had 300HP stock (factory crankpower spec). Taurus had roughly 254HP modified (crank horsepower calculation based on dynoplot). I had decided to trim my fleet a bit and list the SHO for sale, $3,000/OBO. After the testdrive here, the buyer said “no negotiations necessary, I’ll give you full asking price.”

In 1990, Ford modified the instrument panel and added the driver’s airbag as a standard feature. The L and GL sedan engines were bolstered by an increase to 115 horsepower.

The Taurus of the 90′s

During the 90′s the Taurus underwent many changes. The auto became distinctive for its oval design features and oval accent. The Taurus SE was introduced in 1995. By 1999, engine sizes and output continued to rise. The SHO now came with a V8 engine. In 1999 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans and wagons received high safety evaluations for their performance in frontal impact testing. Ford gradually did away with the oval design components and dramatically changed the interior options.

Today’s Taurus

The Ford Taurus 2008 models might seem unrecognizable to original Taurus owners. The appearance is dramatically altered. The front end includes a three bar corporate grille. The rear end is changed and the exterior boasts ample doses of chrome. The interior is more thoroughly insulated, protecting against exterior distractions. Comfort has been increased by the improved suspension. The new Taurus has added the Ford Sync electronic system. The standard engine is a V-6 with 263 horsepower to better accommodate Taurus’s full body size. The revamped Taurus line offers a standard or base Tuarus and the SEL model as well as the up-scaled Limited version.

Photo: sjoerdtenkate

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