jpd80 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 196 in?, that's much to small for an American fullsize. Fits inline for China and Aussie fullsize though. Taurus back to being an in betweener? Interestingly, the length is closer to 197" which is pretty much what the DN101 Taurus was back in 2006 but now we have that in longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Like it. Overall a traditional full size sedan with lots of goodies. I wonder what the NA version will have? What about the SHO? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 (edited) Lots of photos here: http://www.autohome.com.cn/advice/201504/869013-all.html?pvareaid=101380#p0 Length 4,996 mm Wheelbase 2,959 mm Compare with Audi A6 Length 4,950 mm Wheelbase 2,912 mm 6th gen Taurus Length 5,154 mm Wheelbase 2,868 mm So the 7th generation is 15 cm (just under 6 inches) shorter overall but with longer wheelbase for improved interior space. Great work bzcat, those comparison dimensions really underscore the transformation, This Taurus could probably fill a role in BRIC if required... maybe even Australia too. Edited April 19, 2015 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Was this the car you saw? http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1504-2016-ford-taurus-prototype-spied-in-detroit/ Yep, but even less camo on the doors and fenders. I could see actual white paint. The hood, grille and rear were well covered as in these pics.They had all those sensors and monitors inside and outside of the car. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 (edited) AUSTRALIANS were in the spotlight when Ford ripped the covers from its new China-specific Ford Taurus at a pre-Shanghai motor show media event at the weekend. Designed by Australian Todd Willing and put through its engineering development paces at Ford Asia-Pacific's Victorian engineering centres in Australia as part of an international effort, this particular new Taurus will be pitched at well-heeled Chinese corporate types as the large-car flagship of the Blue Oval range in the world's biggest motor market from the second half of this year. It is the second car that Ford's Australian operation has helped mastermind for Ford Motor China, following on from its successful development of the Focus-based Escort small car that was shown at the same motor show two years ago and launched into showrooms last year. The new Taurus came to public light when GoAuto snapped a pair of disguised test mules last year driving between Ford Australia's You Yangs proving ground at its engineering centre at Geelong. Ford Motor China chairman and CEO John Lawler alluded to the Aussie input when he said the vehicle showed the “amazing strength and flexibility of our One Ford plan”. “It combines the best of our global product development and large-car expertise with a clear understanding of what Chinese customers in this segment want,” he said. Although Australians played a major role in the global collaborative effort to bring the Chinese Taurus to fruition, it will not be sold Down Under, nor in the United States, which is expected to get its own version in 2016. With its luxury appointments and emphasis on back-seat comfort – including power reclining rear seats with a massage function for the first time in a Ford in China – the big sedan will go into bat against the likes of Audi's A6 which is China's long-time number-one luxury car. The Taurus will not only be sold in China for the first time but also built there in a new $760 million plant run by the Changan Ford Automobile joint-venture company headed by former Ford Australia managing director Marin Burela, who was also on hand last night to introduce the vehicle. “The Ford Taurus was created for highly sophisticated consumers in China who need an equally sophisticated vehicle for both business and personal use,” Mr Burela said. “With a powerful, confident and inviting design, a spacious and elegant interior, impeccable craftsmanship, compelling performance and advanced technology, the Ford Taurus makes no compromises as an innovative flagship sedan.” Hobart-born Ford Asia-Pacific design director Todd Willing – best known for penning the Ford GT supercar – was responsible for the Taurus's exterior design that has a strong family resemblance to other Ford family cars such as the new Mondeo just launched in Australia. “We wanted to create a vehicle that displays a maturity of design with balanced and harmonious proportions, tailored to the business customer in China,” he said. “Our aim was to create a vehicle that is elegant, inviting and quietly confident.” A big car – five metres long – sitting on hefty 19-inch alloy wheels, the Taurus will be powered by a 242kW/475Nm twin-turbo version of Ford's EcoBoost V6 delivering “effortless performance”. The front-wheel-drive Taurus sits on a 2950mm wheelbase – a substantial 83mm longer than the span of the current North American Taurus that was criticised for its lack of cabin space when it was introduced in 2010. Chinese media is reporting that the platform is a new affair dubbed ABB. Ford describes the Chinese Taurus as “exceptionally roomy”, with extra hip and headroom too. The cabin is lined with soft-touch leather and the bright chrome loved by Chinese customers. A twin-panel sunroof extends over the back seat, with the front panel sliding above the rear panel when opened, affording more rear headroom. Although the Taurus is a five-seater, with room for three across the back seat, the 40/20/40 layout is really designed for two passengers in “business-class comfort” that includes a fold-down centre seat cushion that reveals a rear-seat control panel for air-conditioning, seat functions and car media. The chassis emphasis was on a comfortable ride. Plenty of sound-deadening materials were added to enhance the ambience. The new Taurus will be publicly revealed on Monday at the Shanghai motor show where Ford is also introducing the new Focus range and Explorer SUV. LINK Developed in Australia by the team at Ford Asia pacific... Edited April 19, 2015 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Well were we really looking for something revolutionary? We pretty much expected a bloated Fusion and thats pretty much what is being delivered. That segment has pretty sedate sedans where people are just looking for space and not much flash, this can serve it. I'm just looking at the "toys" that will probably make it to the Conti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 242 kW = 325 hp (rounded up) to us 'Muricans. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 New platform called "ABB"? Something got lost in translation there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 A Better Buick? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 I think we are damning this car with (too) faint praise. I see it standing up rather well against the current VW C coupe concept with its 22" wheels: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgts Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 That's one inch longer than Toyota Avalon which is the retail sales leader in the full size segment. It is also identical in length to Buick Lacrosse, the number two retail sales car in the full size segment. It is 1 inch shorter than Chrysler 300, the number 3 retail sales car in the full size segment. It's obvious that customers told ford the current Taurus is too big (outside). See when you wanna fullsize, i don't want a midsize with alot of room, i want a 200+inch car . The Lacrosse wasn't really a fullsize hence the larger CT6 based car above it. 300 wasn't supposed to be Chrysler's largest as Imperial was to be the biggest car above but the DCX debacle as well as the FCA madness put that on ice. They may do a larger car later. Avalon is subjectivity a "fullsize" just like the Maxima and Accord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I think "expected to get its own version" simply means we'll get it, but without some of the rear seat appointments (controls, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 And not so much for the current Taurus being big, its just the usefulness of it's size doesn't transition to it's interior. And the styling, along with a high belt line just makes it feel 'big and plump'. Hopefully this package will lend to an airy interior with good sightlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I like the looks of the current Taurus, but I feel this one is a big step up. She's a beaut! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 See when you wanna fullsize, i don't want a midsize with alot of room, i want a 200+inch car . The Lacrosse wasn't really a fullsize hence the larger CT6 based car above it. 300 wasn't supposed to be Chrysler's largest as Imperial was to be the biggest car above but the DCX debacle as well as the FCA madness put that on ice. They may do a larger car later. Avalon is subjectivity a "fullsize" just like the Maxima and Accord. Full size is an EPA classification based on interior volume. It's not subjective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) Full size is an EPA classification based on interior volume. It's not subjective. Correct -- though to his point, the current Avalon is classified as a midsize by the EPA. ETA: AND, to prove that overall length isn't everything, the Bentley Mulsanne is also classified as a midsize. All that length, and the Mulsanne is smaller inside than a Hyundai Sonata. Edited April 20, 2015 by papilgee4evaeva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) Correct -- though to his point, the current Avalon is classified as a midsize by the EPA. ETA: AND, to prove that overall length isn't everything, the Bentley Mulsanne is also classified as a midsize. All that length, and the Mulsanne is smaller inside than a Hyundai Sonata. It's fitted with a modest 16 cu ft trunk to make the combined volume just under the lower limit. if it had 20 cu ft trunk like the Taurus it would be a large car. Edited April 20, 2015 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 FYI, Falcon versus Taurus.... a lot of similarities but significant difference in detail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Well the only thing I don't care for in my SHO is how big it is on the outside...so a slighty smaller car with more interior room sounds like a winner to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I don't see how they could market that in the USA......it looks just like a current Fusion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I don't see how they could market that in the USA......it looks just like a current Fusion! They're not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Some real-life photos I found: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2016-ford-taurus-shows-up-in-shanghai-with-long-wheelbase-premium-features-live-photos-94633.html# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 This reminds me a bit of what VW has done lately, which is simplify the styling one step too far. I like it (but I also like the basic styling of the latest VWs as well), but I can see where many would find this pretty bland. I also realize that this (possibly) is not for US consumption. I am car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevensecondsuv Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I like the looks of that back seat. The back seat in the current one has always been a major turn off for me. It just didn't cut it as a Crown Vic replacement. Now if they make the next generation rwd perhaps I can get into Ford cars again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) I don't see how they could market that in the USA......it looks just like a current Fusion! Is this the new catch all for all new Ford products? I'm sorry, but the car is similar, but not exactly like a fusion FFS And the Fusion thrown in for good measure Edited April 21, 2015 by silvrsvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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