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We're not quite sure how one of TTAC's Best and Brightest got ahold of this image of the new Ford Taurus, but ours is not to question why (ours is to do and, uh, that's it). It sure is a handsome beast– throwing the new new Taurus' (né Five Hundred) Audi-aping shape into the bin where it belongs. Imagine if this car turns into a mega-hit for Ford? How ironic would that be? The car that saved Ford before saves Ford again, birthed by the exec who's career was inspired by the tale of the first Taurus' birth. At this point, all we know is that Ford's legal department is very busy this morning. Or it could be a head fake; an intentionally leaked shot. We'll give you more information as it arrives.
Nice car! It looks like an evolutionary progression of the previous Taurus instead of the current warmed-over ’84 Tempo. If they can keep the quality high and it offers decent mileage, they should have a hit on their hands.
I wonder if Ford’s legal team will request TTAC remove that picture…
Great, and it looks like they bucked the current trend toward gun-slit side glass. Losing the 3-bar plastichrome grille is a plus in my view also.
Good proportions, but still pretty generic. The front end reminds me strongly of Mazda, and the side-character-line-ending-in-a-fender-port theme is getting old.
Grille from Mercedes and headlights from Audi?
Aside from the apparent theft, looks crisper, more upscale, and more distinctive than the current car. Of course, anything would be more distinctive than the current car.
If this is accurate, we do learn one thing: the current razor-style three-bar grille is on its way out.
Beretta, you may be right about the fender port — I hate those. I thought it was a side “repeater” light.
OK. I might be the last remaining Crown Vic fan in existence.
I drive my wife’s Accord from time to time. It’s a brilliant package–with no torque from its four-cylinder.
If this is the Taurus. And, if it has a V8 feel, and if the dash controls are more intuitive than the Hondas, not only might I buy one, but Ford will sell a zillion of these to the police agencies.
Lets see….fog lamp enclosure = honda accord, headlights = mazda6, grilles = euro ford mondeo (IMO). Honestly, what car manufacturer isn’t cribbing design elements from others these days? If this is indeed the new Taurus it looks w helluva lot better than the blob jellybean that is the current Five Hun…uhh Taurus. If this model proves to save Ford yet again, it would indeed be ironic.
I like it from that angle…can’t wait to see more pictures.
Reminds me of a Hyundai however.
Nice looking car, although I’ll never buy a Ford product for prsonal reasons. I’m glad to see that they have backed off a bit on the current butt-ugly slatted grille.
Still driven at the wrong end, I suspect.
Looks really good from that angle, glad to see they went with Europe’s kinetic design instead of the Red White and Bold American design theme. Also glad to see three bar grill go.
Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the new Ford Camry!
That likes pretty nice, even though it’s slightly blurry. I can hope that it looks as good when it’s available at dealers. Now, Ford only has to do two things to get me to consider one. Throw a Ford of Europe sourced turbodiesel in it, and equip it with 3 pedals.
I think this is a nice looking car. And thank goodness that ugly 3 slat razor gaurd grille is gone! But, the original Tuarus did turn the auto industry on it’s ear (so to speak) back in the mid 80’s, so maybe history will repeat itself but i’m betting againt it. But this car still has one handicp that will hurt it’s sales potential. After all, it’s STILL a Ford! That’s a kiss of death in my book. And i agree with Pahaska on this: i won’t buy anything Ford for personal reasons too.
If they get the interior ergonomics and fit-and-finish correct, along with a refined 4 cylinder… they may have a volume hit. Big question is who’s sales would they be cannibalizing? I think it’s at least five-years before they could dent the Toyota-Honda loyalists.
That’s a perfect look for the Taurus. If real, it will be a hit. I mean after all, the Taurus is a fwd sedan, so the understated but confident style is perfect.
Dump the front fender vents; Already way to played out. Looks good otherwise. Provide a variety of powerplants and two trans choices with each (yes a manual, not a manumatic), thank you. Also offer a SHO replacement, and allow the best suspension to be had with the high mileage engine, not just the hipo engine. And while I am not exactly a Ford guy, I am willing to at least look before automatically dismissing it.
Looks good.
This is the current market:
– people bash a $60+k Jaguar because it has hints of Aston Martin
– people bash a $70k Volkswagen because it looked like big Passat
– People love the the “new” Challenger because it looks like the old Challenger
– Just a few months ago people were complaining that the new Accord looked like bits of a BMW and a Hyundai
Let’s face it the most original designer out there is Chris Bangle and no one likes his work (we ll at least his recent work).
There is very little “original” design these days, and what little there there is we don’t generally have a taste for.
Looks really nice. The front reminds me a little bit (not much, but a little bit) of the Ford Interceptor concept. It looks like it’s a bit manly in its styling. If it’s got a good engine and interior, it’ll be a hit.
It’s simply a Ford Mondeo you silly rabbit!
http://tinyurl.com/58bx7y
Not bad.
As all have stated, derivative, but in many good ways.
Is it a “game changer” in the way the original Taurus was? Will it “save the company” like the first edition Taurus?
No.
The original Taurus – love it or hate it – made you look. Made you take notice. Made you form an opinion. And made many people buy.
The original Taurus had a completely new design language and it wasn’t long until other manufacturer’s design studios cribbing it!
The original was out front when introduced, this one (while better than the current Taurus nee Five-Hundred), is still mid-pack.
Its a much better front end than the current design, but it still has the same profile, the same proportions and what looks to be the same rear end. I highly doubt anyone in the market for this vehicle could distinguish it from the previous design. Although since no one is in the market for a current Taurus maybe some marketing could generate some sales for this…
Bangle isn’t the only original designer. The Cadillac folks certainly have their own design language, one that lots of people like.
I like it.
Hmmm, Jalopnik looks to have had this or a similar photo up only to be requested removed by Ford.
I agree with chip—it’s an evolution of the Mondeo. Look at the hood crease where it meets the A pillar. And see how the C pillar stretches behind the rear wheel. Not a bad design in the least. But, the big if is this is truly the next Taurus…
v65magnafan1
OK. I might be the last remaining Crown Vic fan in existence.
You most certainly are not.
Antone
If they get the interior ergonomics and fit-and-finish correct, along with a refined 4 cylinder… they may have a volume hit.
A 4 in a car this size? That is what the Fusion is for. This vehicle’s intended competition is the Avalons and Maximas of the world.
That’s sharp! The Euro-Ford connection is pretty obvious. A SHO with EcoBoost and AWD sounds like a much cooler ride than an Avalon, Maxima, etc.
Still, this won’t bring back the 1980s. When the D3 first arrived, Ford made the move to split the original Bull’s market in two, and unless the Fusion disappears, its not gonna be that big of a hit.
But this looks like a good offering for a segmented market. (that’s partially segmented because of Ford itself)
Jalopnik is the first place that got a hold of this image and it spread like wildfire since.
I think the car looks an awful lot like the European Ford Mondeo, which is a good thing. It’s also packing a turbocharged V6 and will offer AWD.
If Ford can make the interior look as nice as it’s Aussie and European offerings and nix the snot green illumination for Ford blue they’ll really have something on their hands.
Headlights look like a squintier Sonata (which looked like an Audi) Overall front shape looks a little like a Mazda 6, with maybe a Legacy grill. Not too offensive. I still remember seeing the original Taurus in the Robocop poster and thinking “Wow, that police car looks like a spaceship!” Of course, I was 5.
The car looks way better than what Honda and Toyota are trying to sell. If they can get the reskin out quick, they’ll make some sales. The current Gilette Mach 3 look is terrible!
Ford shouldn’t waste time or money with legal eagles chasing spy photos – instead they need to get off their hands and BUILD THAT CAR as fast as humanly possible.
The 5-hundy, while far from a looker, was a great car to drive with excellent packaging. The Taurus re-dux put braces on (and forgot to take them off), did a hack nose-job on it, but at least gave it a good ticker. Unfortunately, my opinion is it looks hodge-podge at best.
If this is the Taurus to come, package it as well as the current one, keep the underpinnings and power the same, and build it yesterday already.
Looks a lot like the new Falcon to me. Which isn’t a bad thing at all, but it may not be enough.
it’s just nice to read bob saying something positive about ford after all that tough love!
the nice thing about the current taurus is that it’s just a skosh bigger than camcord.
The louvers are gone, the louvers are gone!
Since this is a European Mondeo evolution, how about the same body styles Mondeo can be had in, like wagon? And how about a CDI engine?
That is one big Lancer.
I’m surprised Ford hasn’t got to you yet…
You look at this and wonder why J Mays still have their jobs as it clearly rejects the VW/audiesqe mingled with Red White and Blue styling direction set forth by Mays. Martin Smith’s kinetic design is clearly the world wide direction of Alan Mullaly’s One Ford plan.
Dear Ford,
Please – for the love of god – do yourself a favor and build this car.
I don’t think this is technically an evolution of the Mondeo … according to the Edmunds article linked up-thread, the Mondeo is more nearly the size of the Fusion. I think they’re just evolving the Mondeo’s look, not its platform. More’s the pity.