Segment: Medium
Production years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
After banging their heads against the walls, Ford's design department came to its senses and replaced the Taurus' third generation with a different vehicle.
It was unusual for Ford to redesign a car after just four years on the market, but the third generation of the Taurus featured an uninspired design, to say at least, and that was directly reflected in the car's sales. If the designers were happy with the bug-eye headlights, the marketing, and the sales departments weren't. So, the design team had to go back and come with a new version. The engineers have mostly left aside since the Taurus' fourth-generation sported a slightly different platform than its predecessor.
The new headlights swept-back to the front fenders were the most noticeable difference when compared with the round headlamps from its predecessor, but the elliptic grille shape was similar. In the back, Ford installed corner-mounted taillights that followed the new-edge design trend already initiated by the Ford Focus.
Inside, the fourth-gen Taurus featured a dashboard with a less controversial look, with the instrument cluster's upper side extended over the center console. A trapezoidal-shaped audio system replaced the previous one, which looked like an egg.
For the engine compartment, Ford installed a choice of two V6 engines with a similar displacement, with power up to 201 hp. All versions were mated to a standard 4-speed auto, with a floor-mounted shifter.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 4AT (154 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2983 cm3 |
Power: | 113 KW @ 5800 RPM 154 HP @ 5800 RPM 152 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 186 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM 252 Nm @ 3250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 111.9 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 215/60R 16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 197.6 in (5019 mm) |
Width: | 73 in (1854 mm) |
Height: | 56.1 in (1425 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.6/62.1 in (1,565/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 108.5 in (2756 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.8 cuFT (476 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3307.5 lbs (1500 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19 mpg US (12.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 4AT (201 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2967 cm3 |
Power: | 148 KW @ 5500 RPM 201 HP @ 5500 RPM 198 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 207 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 281 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 130.5 mph (210 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 215/60R 16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 197.6 in (5019 mm) |
Width: | 73 in (1854 mm) |
Height: | 56.1 in (1425 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.6/62.1 in (1,565/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 108.5 in (2756 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.8 cuFT (476 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3314.1 lbs (1503 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |