2008 FORD TAURUS AWD LIMITED Test Drive

In model year 2007 Ford introduced the Ford 500 which didn’t meet their initial sales projections for a full-size sedan. Hoping to improve the movement of this large sedan off Ford dealer lots, Ford changed the name to the older but more recognized Taurus brand, made several updates to the exterior styling, added a more powerful engine and a 6-speed transmission, then kept the interior as it was when it was called the 500.

At least Ford is on the right track with the new Taurus. They say that they have made more than 500 improvements that make it more distinctive, quieter, faster and safer.
The new, more powerful 3.5 liter Duratec V6 delivers 263 horsepower and 249lb.ft. of torque that more quickly moves the Taurus around slow city traffic, to easily merge into fast moving freeway traffic and when passing slower vehicles on the freeway.
Ford mated the 3.5 liter V6 engine to the same smooth shifting, 6-speed automatic as the new Ford Edge crossover. You can really feel the difference if you drove last year’s 500 that came with the 221hp 4.0 liter V6. You’ll also get about 10% better fuel economy.
The Taurus is available in SEL and Limited trims but each benefit from the same power-train.

The new look of the 2008 Taurus suggest the same proven emotional appeal of the popular Ford Fusion. The new Taurus features the Ford brand’s signature three-bar chrome grille, a sculpted hood with crisp accent lines and a new front fascia chamfered at the outer edges, adding more structure to the design. New rear taillamps carry a strong, horizontal theme to the rear, while a new rear fascia houses dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes. Chrome side vents, door handles and mirror caps give the high-line Limited model a more exclusive appearance.

The fully independent suspension has been retuned to give a smoother ride with excellent response to you inputs at the steering wheel and throttle. Up front are MacPherson struts, and rear facing L-shaped lower control arms connected to an isolated subframe and stabilizer bar. The rear setup features multi-links with coil over shocks and hydro-formed lower control arms and a stabilizer bar to inhibit body lean. I was impressed with the new performance package and you can really feel the difference from last year’s 500.
The power-assisted rack & pinion steering system gives quick reaction to your inputs with a very good feel for the road.

The brakes are up to the task with power-assisted steel discs at each wheel. Up front are 12in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers, while the rear features 11.2in. solid discs clamped with single-piston calipers. Braking control is enhanced with ABS that comes standard on both models. The optional Advance Trac stability control system is standard on the Limited and does a great job of controlling unwanted wheelspin, and keeping you on your chose path on wet or slick pavement, or when you push the Taurus to the limit when heading into or out of curving roads.

The Taurus SEL comes standard with 17X7in. 8-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped with 215/60R17in. all-season radial tires, while the Limited is shod with 18X7in. aluminum wheels with 225/55R18in. all-season radials. You can of course order the 18in wheels/tires with the SEL model.

Both models come standard with front-wheel-drive for better traction on slick road surfaces, but you can’t beat the optional AWD system that can transfer torque to any of the wheels that improves handling and gives more traction while driving over slippery road surfaces.

All of these new and updated systems make driving the new Taurus more enjoyable and safer. You’ll realize this when you open the door and look into the large, roomy, quiet, and well appointed cabin. Interior quietness is often associated with a customer’s perception of overall quality. For 2008, the Taurus team has delivered interior quietness that rivals many luxury cars. The new sound package includes such technologies as expandable foam pellets in the A-pillars to reduce wind noise and the use of an advanced sound-deadening material called Sonosorb in the doors, headliner and pillars. Sonosorb increases sound-deadening efficiency by 20% while retaining the same thickness as the material it replaces.

Engineers also reduced road noise by stiffening the area where the rear package shelf meets the floor pan. Even the new climate control system is 50% quieter than before. Keeping noise, vibration and harshness to low levels is the result of changes in how the engine is mounted in the vehicle. The engine was previously mounted to the front subframe. On the new Taurus, the engine and transmission are bolted to the body with hydraulic mounts to reduce vibration. By moving the 600lb. powertrain off the subframe, engineers were able to better tune the suspension and ultimately, create an even better ride.

Many customers shopping for a large sedan identify front seat roominess as a key need while many also prioritize cargo capacity. Ford answers both with the most spacious interior of any large sedan, with best-in-class legroom front and rear, and 60/40-split fold-flat second-row seats. With the fold-flat front-passenger seat, items up to nine feet long can fit inside.

Standard features not mentioned above in the Taurus include keypad/autolock, mini spare tire, power side mirrors, power windows/door locks, remote keyless entry, three 12-volt power points, battery saver, coat hooks, eight cupholders, A/C, carpeted floor mats, locking glove box, heated backlight, MP3 audio jack, power steering, tilting, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, remote trunk release, and tire pressure monitoring system. Options include AWD, heated front seats, leather seats and trim, 18in.chrome wheels/tires, adjustable pedals, Advance Trac stability program, Family entertainment system with DVD player and 7in. screen, Ford Sync which fully integrates mobile phones and media players using Bluetooth technology, power moonroof, navigation system, reverse-sensing system, daytime running lights, power code remote start, memory adjustable pedals, in-dash six-disc CD audio system, electronic automatic climate control system, eight-way power driver’s seat, universal garage door opener, cargo net and heated exterior mirrors.

Standard safety systems include front and side airbags up front, 3-point safety belts for all passengers, safety canopy airbags for both rows, LATCH child safety system, passive anti-theft system, front and rear crush zones and steel beams in each door. The all-new Ford Taurus has achieved five-star rating in all four categories for the US government’s crash tests and is rated the safest full-size car in North America.

The all-new 2008 Ford Taurus is back and ready to claim its lost title as the ‘best selling sedan in America’ with a much improved version of last year’s Ford 500. Just one test drive and you’ll see the difference. Prices start at just $23,995.00.

SPECIFICATIONS

Turning circle: 40ft.
Wheelbase: 112.9in.
Total length: 201.8in.
Total width: 74.5in.
Total height: 61.5in.
Track: f/r-64.3/64.4in.
Headroom: f/r-39.6/38.8in.
Legroom: f/r-41.3/41.2in.
Total interior volume: 129.2cu.ft.
Luggage capacity: 21.2cu.ft.
Base curb weight: 3,741/FWD, 3,930/AWD
EPA mileage: 17/24-AWD, 18/28-FWD
Fuel tank: 20 gallons