Ford Taurus

:This article is not to be confused with Ford Taunus.

1996 - 1999

The 1996 model year saw the first - and, as it would happen, the only - complete redesign for the Taurus. Ford hoped the radical redesign would lead to the same success it had had with the 1986 Taurus. The controversial oval theme was not well received by the press and the public, and is ultimately blamed as the reason it lost its bestseller status to the Toyota Camry in 1997. Another factor that is largely to blame for the sales decline of the Taurus was the substantial price increase from the previous model. The MSRP for the 1996 model increased $2,500 over the 1995 Taurus. The 1996 Taurus attempted to move upscale, and the result was a product with more standard and optional features. The 1996 model also saw the introduction of the 200 hp (149 kW) 3.0 L DOHC Ford Duratec engine.

Related Topics:
1986 - Toyota Camry - 1997 - MSRP - 1996 - 1995 - DOHC - Ford Duratec engine

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This model was also exported outside North America to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, in right hand drive, but this proved unsuccessful. In these right-hand-drive markets, the Taurus possessed an unusual Mercury Sable grille but a Taurus-style rear, due to those countries regulations regarding headlights. Australians and New Zealanders tended to stay away from the cars due to their price; a well equipped, larger-engined rear-wheel-drive Ford Fairmont cost around the same amount. While Japan got the station wagon, Australian buyers could only opt for a high-spec sedan with the Taurus Ghia badge.

Related Topics:
North America - Japan - Australia - New Zealand - Right hand drive - Grille - Ford Fairmont

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SHO

A 235 hp (175 kW) 3.4 L DOHC V8 was specified for the SHO model, but the 5-speed was gone. The V8 in the SHO model (produced from 1996 to 1999), was very impressive, but lacked the all-out acceleration and top end charge of the previous DOHC 3.0 L V6 5-speed SHO.

Related Topics:
3.4 L DOHC V8 - 1996 - 1999

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