I have a list of articles that populate my window when I open my "Edge" browser and I scan it to see if there is something interesting and sometimes there is and this article from "TopSpeed" caught my eye because it mentioned the "Ford Taurus", anybody that has been following me for a long time know that I used to work for Ford Motor Company, Atlanta Assembly, we built the Taurus, Sable and the Wagon and the only plant that built the SHO. I had blogged about the "Taurus" extensively also many post about "Ford" some will cross over and some will not, if you have time, surf through those, there is some good nuggets in there and some well unrelated stuff. I still have a really soft spot for the Ford Taurus, I called her "America's Car", and she was my favorite car. and she went from America's darling to the staple of the rental fleet, Ford was focused on the SUV's and Trucks and let their cars slide, in my mind, it was a short-sighted business decision. so, the Taurus went from cutting edge sedan to the rental fleet darling, it was a fall from grace in the automotive world that was unprecedented. The car could have done so much more than she did, but the short sighted bean counters torpedoed the cars at the behest of "Jack The Knife" who was building a marque of premium brands and didn't want Ford cars competing with the "Premium Auto Group" that is why in my opinion is why he killed the SHO, why get the SHO that can beats the pants off any premium sedan that cost $20,000 more and was just as well equipped. and they put the Taurus and Sable on the backburner and the car languished. I had seen the preproduction photo's and preproduction cars, we got...what we actually to build was nothing like the preproduction models, they were much cheaper in "looks", made me feel bad for the new models. and the car languished and eventually got cut at the end of the production run after the Gen IV update.
- Ford Taurus revolutionized American car design in the 1980s, saving the company from major financial losses and launching it into the future.
- The Taurus sold record numbers and became a hit among consumers due to its sleek and futuristic design, efficient engine, and snappy handling.
- Despite its initial success, the Taurus eventually fell out of popularity due to poor design choices and increasing competition, but it will always be remembered as a game changer in the automotive world.
Ford had really found themselves in a pickle during the 1980s, as bad publicity and lackluster vehicle design hindered their popularity, especially when compared to the popular JDM imports of the era. The boxy, straight-edged American design was outdated and unappealing to look at, not to mention that American vehicles were increasingly inefficient at the time. This all resulted in major income losses over the first half of the decade.
Desperately needing a home run, the production design departments all came together to create a new model from the ground up. Incorporating modern aerodynamic design and a cohesive structure, the Ford Taurus emerged as the car of the future. Some folks at Ford even worried it was too futuristic for consumers, and thankfully, they were wrong.
The Taurus sold record numbers in the first three years and literally launched Ford out of debt. Iconic models, including the SHO, came from the success attained by the original 1986 Ford Taurus, and the Blue Oval rode that high for as long as they could. Poor design and increasing foreign competition saw the Taurus eventually sink into obscurity, but for a brief period, the Taurus ruled the automotive world.
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Ford's Rough Patch
At the start of the 1980s, Ford was experiencing a steady decline in sales and was falling further behind the Japanese import competition. By that time, models like the Honda Accord became a best-seller in North America. This is due in part to the sleek and sporty design, but also the efficiency and road manners of the smaller, more agile imports.
The American way of designing automobiles was dated, as were the powertrains and components. This was a time when high interest rates held back bigger models, so Ford was looking to replace the big, boxy LTD with a more economical and customer-friendly model. The only option at this point was a Hail Mary, and it couldn't have come at a more crucial time.
Henry Ford II was on his way to retirement, as were the old ways of designing Ford's models. New management brought about a new team dynamic that decreased the inner-department competition and increased design cohesiveness. This resulted in a more reliable and well-built vehicle, i.e. the Taurus.
Covering A $1,000,000,000 Tab
The Taurus debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1985, introducing Ford's new mid-size sedan. The 1986 Ford Taurus sported futuristic design elements, including a tapered front end, sporty character lines, and a peppy attitude. The Taurus was also more efficient than the previous sedans Ford had produced, making it an instant hit among consumers.
At the time of its release, Ford Motor Co. was over a billion dollars in debt and sinking. The Taurus was Ford's attempt to win back the domestic market by dissecting the trends of the era, as well as pushing the brand into the future, and it paid off in a major way. The Taurus sold 1,000,000 units in the first three years and over 2,000,000 in the first generation alone, effectively putting Ford back on the map and opening an entirely new avenue for domestic automakers.
Taurus' Instant Success
It didn't take long for dealerships across the U.S. to sell out of their Taurus offerings, as everyone wanted in on the sleek, futuristic Ford. The mid-sized sedan boasted excellent handling and power, which was delivered to the front wheels, and the fuel economy was comparable to its import counterparts.
This was the first time an American automaker had taken a chance on a vehicle that broke the mold of classic American styling and attitude, but it definitely wouldn't be the last, as brands eventually started following suit and developing economic models that focused on practical, everyday life, while retaining a modern sense of style.
1986 Ford Taurus Key Design Features
- "Bottom Feeder" style front end
- Lighter construction
- Modern design language
- Less chrome and sharp edges
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The Taurus was something completely new to North American design, so naturally, it garnered a lot of attention from domestic markets and the media. Its appeal only went up when customers realized that the futuristic qualities exuded by the appearance also applied to the mechanical makeup of the Taurus.
The efficient engine and snappy handling made it a must-have among the average consumers and, with a starting MSRP of $9,645, the Taurus was an undeniably strong mid-size competitor. It was even offered in wagon form for those in need of more cargo space.
Power And Handling Meets Fuel Efficiency
The 1986 Ford Taurus was offered with a humble 2.5-liter HSC four-cylinder that only put out 90 horsepower. Though not incredible, the power was fairly on par with economy sedans of the era, it also boasted better fuel economy than the current domestic sedan models.
An optional upgrade added a Vulcan V-6, which put out 140 horsepower, but the next significant power bump would come in the 1988 model year, where the Taurus was offered with a 3.8-liter fuel-injected Essex V-6 that produced 200 horsepower. This would be the catalyst for one of the most revered Taurus models of all time, the SHO.
Handling-wise, the Taurus was nimble and snappy. This was thanks to independent suspension and MacPherson struts, which allowed the mid-size sedan to tip-toe through tight slaloms and confidently tackle sharp turns. The front-wheel drive Taurus was offered with a three-speed automatic transmission, which proved to be enough gears for the daily driver.
The Ford Taurus SHO
Undoubtedly, the most revered model to wear the Taurus name is the 1988 Ford Taurus SHO, which stands for Super High Output. Ford dropped a Yamaha 3.0-liter V-6 DOHC with a sweet variable length intake manifold. The souped-up Taurus delivered 220 horsepower to a five-speed manual transmission developed by Mazda.
1989 Ford Taurus SHO Performance Specs
Engine | 3.0-liter V-6 |
Horsepower | 220 |
Torque | 200 pound-feet |
Transmission | Five-speed manual, |
Driveline | FWD |
Curb Weight | 3,348 pounds |
0-60 MPH | 6.7 seconds |
Top Speed | 143 MPH |
(Source: Car And Driver road test)
The Yamaha 3.0-liter engine was originally developed for a mid-engine two-seater set to compete with the Pontiac Fiero and Toyota MR2, but when the concept failed to see production, the powertrain went to the Taurus.
The SHO was supposed to be a limited production car, but Ford milked its popularity, producing over 100,000 examples in its 10-year lifespan. It eventually lost popularity as it failed to impress in the 1990s models. However, later down the line in 2013, the SHO experienced a rebirth, featuring a saucy 365-horsepower twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 and an updated appearance.
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Though the trusty Taurus lifted Ford Motor Co. up from the abyss of debt, its popularity was not meant to last in the long run. The second generation, though totally redesigned, simply didn't improve the overall appearance or ability. This is where Taurus' star began to dwindle. But even with fading popularity, the Taurus still became the best-selling vehicle in North America in 1992, prying it from the hands of the Honda Accord.
Third-gen design changes brought on the bubblier, sluggish Taurus of the late 1990s, which really didn't sell well among consumers, as it was, well... ugly. This inevitably made the third-gen Taurus the quintessential fleet car, only seeing action as company loaners or rental service options.
The fourth generation deviated from the jelly bean appearance, but it simply wasn't enough to put the Taurus back on top, as its reputation as a futuristic, sleek sedan had long gone. Ford briefly retired the Taurus nameplate in 2007 when work began on a mid-size, full-size, and crossover model to fill out Ford's offerings. This path was short-walked, coming to an end when sales of the Ford Fusion, Five Hundred, and Freestyle failed to meet expectations.
Return Of The Mack (Taurus)
Ford's lackluster lineup ended and was repackaged as the fifth-gen Taurus and Taurus X, yet there wasn't anything special that came with the name change, except maybe bad memories, as it's hard to forget the previous two generation Taurus' hideous appearances. 2010 brought a redesigned sixth-gen Taurus, and this model struck a little better with consumers, as it incorporated modern tech and a new design for the now full-size Taurus.
The sixth-gen Taurus featured a 263 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6, which would receive a modification in 2013, to which it then produced 288 horses. In 2016, the Taurus SHO was brought back with a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 that put out 365 horsepower. A Taurus Police Interceptor was produced soon after and featured a 3.7-liter V-6 which made 305 horsepower. However, an upgraded Police Interceptor, which featured the 2013 SHO powertrain, became available, which is likely the most ridiculous Taurus to ever roll off the factory floor.
The Taurus' Last Ride
The last Taurus rolled off the assembly line on March 1st, 2019, marking the end of an era. The story of the Taurus is packed with rich lore, make-or-break moments, and huge leaps in automotive advancement. No matter your background or upbringing, most folks have come in contact with a Taurus. In fact, it's Ford's fifth best-selling vehicle, behind the F-150, Escort, Model T, and Mustang.
Ford produced 8,000,000 examples in a 34-year production run, which was almost continuous. After it captured the best-selling car in North America in 1992, it held the title for five years. This not only pulled Ford out of debt but helped them regain public sentiment, further allowing Ford to rise above the competition in the years following the Taurus' heyday.
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