2016 Taurus to Ride on Fusion Platform

[black99lightning]

The SHO is about 900lbs heavier than a 2.0t Fusion FWD.  Add the 2nd turbo, larger engine V6 vs 4 cylinder, extra driveshafts, rear diff, transfer case(PTU), and you'll be over 4000lbs if not getting very close to the current weight.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the SHO go away with the new platform.  Ford has a set a precedent with killing off the SHO.

[Brucelinc]

I would be disappointed if we do not see a high performance Taurus when it moves to the new platform.  Sources indicate that the MKS will also move to the same platform.  To be competitive, the MKS will need the 3.5 ecoboost.  Assuming it is available in the MKS, it would be very easy to use it in a SHO as well.

Another thing is that Ford needs to stay competitive with GM and Chrysler.  If GM has the Chevrolet SS and Chrysler has the Charger R/T, Ford really needs the SHO.  While the sales may not be significant, their image should be.  The 3.5 ecoboost can be made to outperform the competition and beat them on mileage, too.

[mval]

one of  reason to have a taurus was to replace crown vics for our friendly policemen. my buddy up the street who has the taurus flex fuel says loves the car but says not great police car, back seat too small & the guys like explorers better. after all the bad guys got to be comfortable being taken down to the station. so to make it smaller does nothing for this big market. so will be interesting to see, but since we got chris on the instead we have a credible source.
mikev

[MeanKS]

Still much speculation here, I work at that plant where the new taurus is slated to be built at. And haven't heard jack about it, however we are starting to do some work in preparation for the new MKS while I work in the paint shop this means very little and yet to see any metal yet. But the work that has been so far is trialling better clear coats as the new MKS has to have a better finish on the car. So in summary its my opinion even the ones that know don't even know as of know, the market is in a slump right now and ford is doing damage control. Lay offs and etc. But also so Ford has went to one global market, what this means is they if build focus let say it is the same focus in every market. Where the past Focus where different in every market. So as to a chinese taurus I am calling Bravo Sierra on this one.

what market is in a slump?

do you mean for the Taurus specifically or overall?

[yowen]

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=2378.0

[crash712us]

Still much speculation here, I work at that plant where the new taurus is slated to be built at. And haven't heard jack about it, however we are starting to do some work in preparation for the new MKS while I work in the paint shop this means very little and yet to see any metal yet. But the work that has been so far is trialling better clear coats as the new MKS has to have a better finish on the car. So in summary its my opinion even the ones that know don't even know as of know, the market is in a slump right now and ford is doing damage control. Lay offs and etc. But also so Ford has went to one global market, what this means is they if build focus let say it is the same focus in every market. Where the past Focus where different in every market. So as to a chinese taurus I am calling Bravo Sierra on this one.

what market is in a slump?

do you mean for the Taurus specifically or overall?

I just know fusion and mustang sales are down.
As to the new clear the appearance is much better. And hopefully ford will use on all the vehicles we produce at our plant.


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[Scott13SHO]

Still much speculation here, I work at that plant where the new taurus is slated to be built at. And haven't heard jack about it, however we are starting to do some work in preparation for the new MKS while I work in the paint shop this means very little and yet to see any metal yet. But the work that has been so far is trialling better clear coats as the new MKS has to have a better finish on the car. So in summary its my opinion even the ones that know don't even know as of know, the market is in a slump right now and ford is doing damage control. Lay offs and etc.

From what I understand, Flat Rock won't be getting the Taurus and MKS till next year...They are flexing the Mustang into the Fusion line at Flat Rock, which makes lots of sense since Flat Rock is just a "overflow" plant for the Fusion and the Mustang runs hot and cold with sales #s over the years...Selling 120K for example in 2005 and then going down to 90-100K this past year. I wouldn't expect a huge bump for Mustang sales long term, even with it selling overseas...but then again I could be suprised.

Once the 2014 Mustang does it run down later this summer, the line will be ripped out and setup for the next gen Taurus and MKS...and I'd suspect they'll be on sale very late in 2015.

[Scott13SHO]

The SHO is about 900lbs heavier than a 2.0t Fusion FWD.  Add the 2nd turbo, larger engine V6 vs 4 cylinder, extra driveshafts, rear diff, transfer case(PTU), and you'll be over 4000lbs if not getting very close to the current weight.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the SHO go away with the new platform.  Ford has a set a precedent with killing off the SHO.

The difference between the SHO and the AWD Fusion 2L Turbo is about 800lbs or so...So the Taurus should be able to trim around 400lbs or so

[Scott13SHO]

Wow, we may have an instant collector car. all i know from having an escape on the fusion frame, the 2.0l fills engine bay up pretty well. no room for the 3.5l that i can see.
mikev

The MKZ has a 3.5L in it...no problem

[yowen]

The SHO is about 900lbs heavier than a 2.0t Fusion FWD.  Add the 2nd turbo, larger engine V6 vs 4 cylinder, extra driveshafts, rear diff, transfer case(PTU), and you'll be over 4000lbs if not getting very close to the current weight.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the SHO go away with the new platform.  Ford has a set a precedent with killing off the SHO.

The difference between the SHO and the AWD Fusion 2L Turbo is about 800lbs or so...So the Taurus should be able to trim around 400lbs or so

I am VERY much hoping that Ford goes to more extensive use of Aluminum on the new SHO, like they did with the F-150. Shedding weight on both the new Fusion and Taurus. I would love to see a weight shedding of 500-800 pounds form that 4300 our current model weighs. It makes sense from a performance, wear&tear and mpg standpoint. Perhaps some weight will be shed with a newer gen of the 3.5 eco, which by that time should be out for the F-150.

Because I think the F-150 in its first year (2015) will use the current 3.5 and be updated for 2016, much like has been done with previous gens of F-150.

[mjhpadi]

one of  reason to have a taurus was to replace crown vics for our friendly policemen. my buddy up the street who has the taurus flex fuel says loves the car but says not great police car, back seat too small & the guys like explorers better. after all the bad guys got to be comfortable being taken down to the station. so to make it smaller does nothing for this big market. so will be interesting to see, but since we got chris on the instead we have a credible source.
mikev

That was my thought after reading the article, I can't believe that Ford could ignore the law enforcement market...but I remember when Ford supplied almost all the LE cars in the country, you would see trailer load after trailer load of Crown Vics going up and down highways destined for all different LE departments.  Now I think a bunch of departments have not be very happy with the replacements to the Crown Vics, and this ranges from the Chargers to the Impala's to the Taurus...I have a hard time believing that Ford would downsize the Taurus, this basically taking it out of the LE marketplace...maybe but it sure seems that would be a hard market to give up, and let's face it the Explorer isn't the perfect everyday patrol car, and if the Taurus is downsized, it must also mean the Explorer is sure to follow.

[black99lightning]

Wow, we may have an instant collector car. all i know from having an escape on the fusion frame, the 2.0l fills engine bay up pretty well. no room for the 3.5l that i can see.
mikev

The MKZ has a 3.5L in it...no problem

But no turbos and the associated tubing and cooling.  Adds considerable weight and requires more room.

[crash712us]

I believe there will be much more aluminum in the next taurus, the new mustang has more aluminum in it and its suppose be 600lbs lighter then the previous mustang.

[black99lightning]

IAnother thing is that Ford needs to stay competitive with GM and Chrysler.  If GM has the Chevrolet SS and Chrysler has the Charger R/T, Ford really needs the SHO.  While the sales may not be significant, their image should be.  The 3.5 ecoboost can be made to outperform the competition and beat them on mileage, too.

Although I agree Ford needs a halo car I wouldn't count on it.  Maybe a version of the 300+hp 2.3T will be the next SHO?

Also don't count on the Chevy SS staying around long.  Very limited marketing.  The Holden version is not selling in Australia, and GM is stopping production in Australia. 
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/post--gm-shutting-down-holden-in-2017-quitting-all-australian-car-production
Expect it to go away in 2016 or 17 at the latest.  Then await another failure Impala SS.

[BiGMaC]

one of  reason to have a taurus was to replace crown vics for our friendly policemen. my buddy up the street who has the taurus flex fuel says loves the car but says not great police car, back seat too small & the guys like explorers better. after all the bad guys got to be comfortable being taken down to the station. so to make it smaller does nothing for this big market. so will be interesting to see, but since we got chris on the instead we have a credible source.
mikev

That was my thought after reading the article, I can't believe that Ford could ignore the law enforcement market...but I remember when Ford supplied almost all the LE cars in the country, you would see trailer load after trailer load of Crown Vics going up and down highways destined for all different LE departments.  Now I think a bunch of departments have not be very happy with the replacements to the Crown Vics, and this ranges from the Chargers to the Impala's to the Taurus...I have a hard time believing that Ford would downsize the Taurus, this basically taking it out of the LE marketplace...maybe but it sure seems that would be a hard market to give up, and let's face it the Explorer isn't the perfect everyday patrol car, and if the Taurus is downsized, it must also mean the Explorer is sure to follow.

I had the same thoughts as you guys.....Still...
My youngest daughter is dating an officer from a Denver suburb... He is in love with his EB Xsport.  It's a little hard for me to envision LE agencies spending the extra $10K for a Lincoln (no dis here.. just tax dollars)... It wouldn't normally seem right to ditch the tested fastest dedicated pursuit vehicle, but starnger things have happened... I saw a traffic stop today with 2 unmarked midsize pursuit vehicles... so maybe that's the future.