JEDDAH, KSA, November 4, 2019 – With a new look, class-leading levels of comfort and refinement, and the very latest in Ford’s active and passive safety features, the all-new 2020 Ford Taurus delivers more of what large sedan buyers in the GCC really want.
Ford’s flagship sedan has been completely redesigned, with a major focus on refinement, safety and practicality for new car buyers, delivering unprecedented levels of performance and luxury across the range.
“The all-new Ford Taurus combines the very best of our global product development capability and large car expertise with a clear understanding of what Middle East customers in this segment really want,” said Adriaan Coetzee, Director Product and Brand Marketing for Ford Direct Markets. “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.”
Ford made full use of its global design and development resources to create the all-new Taurus. Using Ford’s CD4 global midsize-fullsize automobile platform, developed by its US engineering team, top-hat design of the Taurus was led by the Ford Asia Pacific Design Studio in Australia. The vehicle interior and electronics engineering was delivered through collaboration by teams based in Australia, with support from engineers in the Middle East and China.
“It really was a truly global effort,” said Ross Jardine, chief project engineer for Taurus. “From design to development, the collaborative work that went into the Taurus has really helped Ford to create a truly exceptional car.”
Exterior design
In creating the all-new Taurus, Ford designers crafted an exterior conveying balance, harmony and a sense of confidence.
At the front of the vehicle, a shield-like, clipped trapezoidal five-bar grille is positioned prominently and flanked by slender, modern headlamps with signature daytime running lights and LED projector lamp technology. Chrome rings house supplemental LED driving lights.
In silhouette, a powerful hood profile and planted architecture give the Taurus a sense of solidity, sportiness and harmony. Designers elevated the exterior with fine details on the sides, including upswept chrome highlight trim on the doors. Polished 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels help to give a bold and premium stance.
At the rear of the vehicle, multi-piece LED tail lights incorporate a distinctive signature appearance. A bright chrome bar connecting the tail lights highlights the vehicle’s width for a sense of understated athleticism. Integrated chrome exhaust tips complete the rear and offer another discreet hint at performance.
Interior luxury
The sense of balance and harmony continues inside with a clean, modern cabin that makes use of smart design and strong horizontal elements for an airy, spacious feel. Above the passengers, a full panoramic sunroof allows more natural light to enter the cabin and adds to a sense of elegance and openness.
The spacious feel is justified by an exceptionally roomy cabin, which takes full advantage of the vehicle’s five-metre length and 2.95-metre wheelbase for abundant second-row legroom, and class-leading shoulder and hip room.
Designers and engineers went to great lengths to package features in a way that prioritised interior space. The front panel of the panoramic sunroof, for example, slides back over the rear panel rather than under it, ensuring maximum rear headroom.
Making full use of the car’s interior space, designers and engineers placed more than 25 intelligent stowage spaces throughout the cabin. Cup holders designed to securely hold different-sized bottles are just one thoughtful detail implemented to meet the needs of consumers.
Reflecting the importance of second-row passengers, the rear cabin-space has been designed with an emphasis on comfort. Top range models of the Taurus are fitted with power-reclining rear seats with optional adjustable lumbar support, helping both rear passengers arrive refreshed at their destination in business-class comfort.
Folding down the centre seat cushion – friction-hinged for a premium feel – reveals a rear-seat control panel for air conditioning, seat functions and car media. There is also a rear hatch that accesses the boot, allowing long items to be safely carried. With the centre seat cushion folded up, the vehicle to comfortably accommodate three rear passengers with a 40/20/40 rear-seat layout.
Materials used throughout the cabin reinforce the feeling of comfort and exceptional, uncompromised quality. Ford designers appointed surfaces with soft but durable materials – such as supple leather for the seats – that recall a pair of tailored gloves or a fine wool suit.
These materials are accented by bright chrome finishes for an extra layer of detail and a sense of prestige. The careful application of wood elements adds natural warmth and strength, and underscores the fine craftsmanship of the interior. Extensive use of sound-deadening materials, advanced technologies and precise engineering ensure that whether in the front or rear seats, all occupants are treated to an exceptionally quiet cabin matched by a smooth and comfortable ride.
Powertrain
The Taurus has the effortless power to match its sporty appearance. Drawing from the best of the Ford EcoBoost engine family, this new world-class engine delivers power in a stronger, smarter package. Lightweight materials and advanced controls help the engine to set a new standard for power density and efficiency.
The all-new Taurus is powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBoost inline four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 240 horsepower and an impressive 390Nm torque. That represents a 10% increase in torque over the previous Taurus, all while using less fuel.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission – a first for Ford sedans in the Middle East – which is operated by a contemporary rotary gear shifter on the centre console.
Technology, safety and connectivity
The all-new Taurus features the very latest SYNC 3 technology with embedded voice control, embedded navigation, AppLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are USB ports in the centre console so that drivers can hardwire their devices to the Taurus, and Bluetooth connectivity plus wireless charging options available. For rear seat passengers, there are two more USB ports in the centre armrest.
Taurus also comes advanced driver-assist features as standard. Technologies like Blind Spot Information System, which uses radar to alert drivers of approaching vehicles entering their blind spot by flashing an indicator light. Other technologies include pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, auto high beams, a lane-keeping system and a rearview camera.
Titanium models offers lane centring technology, which detects lane markings on the road to help keep the vehicle centred, is also available. Lane centring helps keep drivers centred in their lane while adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability is enabled, which allows drivers to set a desired speed and distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead.
Dual-stage airbags, side-curtain airbags, rain-sensing wipers, and an innovative active glove box knee airbag, front and rear ultrasonic sensors, and Enhanced Active Park Assist are also fitted as standard on Titanium models.
Craftsmanship
“Customers are very aware of uneven gaps or flushness issues between panels,” explained Jardine. “They notice minor gap issues or if there’s a panel that’s not perfectly flush. So we spent a lot of time to try and make sure we’ve got a consistent high level of craftsmanship.
“It was particularly difficult on this Taurus actually, because the new front end design makes it challenging to achieve a quality fit and finish between the front fascia, headlights and the hood. We spent a lot of time with manufacturing and design changes to ensure that remains consistent throughout production,” Jardine explained.
The all-new Taurus is a shining example of the level of quality and craftsmanship achieved by the Changan Ford Hangzhou Plant in eastern China.
Opened in 2015, the Hangzhou plant represents a US$760 million (RMB 4.9 billion) investment and is the sixth assembly plant producing Ford vehicles in China, increasing capacity for the automaker by 250,000 vehicles. The Hangzhou plant was established to help Ford meet rapidly growing demand from customers across China – and to address a growing need for diversified products to markets around the globe.
Ford’s quality control really starts in the early stages of the process, before production begins. Every facet of the vehicle is covered, from the quality of the paintwork and finish, to the margin/flushness of the panels, functionality of the vehicle and drivetrain. A team of highly skilled experts, trained in the US and in other plants around the world, ensure very high standards are achieved.
Ford’s quality control doesn’t stop there, explains Jardine. “During production, every vehicle undergoes a final inspection for quality, while a considerable number of vehicles also undergo more rigorous tests to ensure they meet Ford’s exacting standards.
“Regardless of where vehicles are built geographically in the Ford world, we follow the Global Manufacturing process to ensure consistent high levels of quality are achieved.” Jardine said.
Tested in the Middle East, for the Middle East
As with all new launches into the region, the Taurus underwent exhaustive testing by Ford’s in-market product development team ahead of its arrival. Conducted at the height of the Middle East summer, much of the testing centred on engine and air-conditioning performance during some on the harshest weather the region experiences.
“We have some of the most demanding conditions on Earth,” said Ziyad Dallalah, Chief Resident Engineer, Ford Direct Markets. “Dust, heat and high humidity all contrive to inhibit performance of both the powertrain, and systems like air-conditioning, which rely on the engine to perform optimally.”
“The all-new Taurus passed every test we could level at it,” Dallalah said. “In terms of occupant comfort, it is one of the best performing vehicles Ford currently offers.”
Ford’s development team also focused on high-speed levels of refinement and cabin quietness. With long distance motoring key to customers in Saudi Arabia and other countries, Ford’s engineers felt it was important to reduce as much cabin noise through chassis refinements, and small changes to the exterior.
One of those areas was the sail panel – a small panel on the front doors which is used to mount the wing mirror – and the wing mirror itself. Engineers tweaked the design of both components to help cut wind noise at high speed. They also made design changes to the chassis, and used new dampers and springs to help produce a more refined ride.
Trim levels
The all-new Taurus launches into the Middle East in a choice of four trim levels; Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Plus. Highlights include:
Ambiente
· Seven Airbags
· Automatic Headlamps
· Engine Stop/Start
· Dual Power Signal Mirrors
· Fixed LED Headlamps
· LED Daytime Running Lights
· LED Tail lamps
· Auto Headlamp Leveling
· 17” Alloy Wheels with optional 18” wheel available
· Dual Zone Auto AC
· Infotainment with 8” Touchscreen
· Nine speakers
· Eight-way Power Driver Seat
· Auto Hold Brakes with Post Impact Brake Assist
· Cruise Control
· Remote Start
Trend
· 18” Alloy Wheels
· LED Fog Lamps
· Keyless Entry Passive Start
· Driver and Passenger Heated Seats
· Rear View Camera
· Reverse parking aid
· Dual Panel Sunroof
· Leather Seats with Suede Inserts
· Eight-way Power Passenger Seat
Titanium
· 19” Alloy Wheels
· Adaptive LED Headlamps
· B&O Premium audio with 14 Speakers
· 10-way power driver and passenger seats
· Easy Entry and Exit feature for driver
· All Leather Seats
· Wireless Charging
· Blind Spot Detection
· Adaptive Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go
· Collision Mitigation System
· Driver Impairment Monitor
· Lane Departure Warning
· Lane Keeping Aid
· Navigation
· LED front fog lamps
· Interior ambient lighting
Titanium Plus
· Tri Zone climate control
· Rear seat entertainment controls
· Heated and cooled rear seats
· Reclining rear seats
· Automated Parking System
· Sun Blinds
· 17-inch brake discs (vented front, solid rears)
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