Revamped  2015 Taurus for chauffeur-driven CEOs

Ford Motor Company has pulled the covers off its all-new Taurus targeted primarily at chauffeur driven executives at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show. This is the classic nameplate’s first appearance in China, a market just like other regions where comfortable, large sedans like the Taurus are still popular.

In developing the car, engineers sought to address one of the biggest issues plaguing the current model: a cramped cabin. The cabin in the new Taurus takes full advantage of the vehicle’s 197-inch length and 116-in wheelbase for generous second-row leg, shoulder and hip room. A number of specific measures were also taken to ensure no space was wasted. For example, the sunroof slides back over the rear panel rather than under it, ensuring maximum rear headroom.

Ford is even offering power-reclining rear seats on the car. These come with an available adjustable lumbar support feature as well as a massage function. Folding down the center seat cushion reveals a rear-seat control panel for air conditioning, seat functions and car media. Folding it up allows the vehicle to comfortably accommodate three rear passengers.

Premium elements can be found on the outside, too. LEDs are used for both the head and tail-lights. Furthermore, in silhouette, a powerful hood profile and planted architecture give the Taurus a premium car-like stance, and adding to this are the polished 19-inch alloys and integrated chrome exhaust tips.

The Ford Taurus shows the amazing strength and flexibility of our One Ford plan,” said John Lawler, Ford’s head of operations in China. “It combines the best of our global product development and large-car expertise with a clear understanding of what customers in this segment want.”

Comparatively, the platform underpinning the new Taurus is a stretched version of the Blue Oval’s CD4 design, found in a variety of existing models such as the Fusion as well as the Edge crossover and Lincoln MKZ. The stretched version of the CD4 platform will be common to the 2016 Lincoln Continental, previewed earlier this month in concept form at the 2015 New York Auto Show.

Meanwhile, versions of the new Taurus in the U.S. market always used as a benchmark should differ slightly, particularly when it comes to power-trains and the choice of materials in the cabin. A debut for the U.S.-spec Taurus should take place later this year, with the car going on sale sometime next year as a 2016 model.

Only one engine has been announced so far, a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6. Expect front-wheel drive to be standard and all-wheel drive to be an option. We can export more engines to be offered in U.S.-spec cars, including a naturally aspirated mill. It’s not clear yet if there will be a high-performance SHO model once again, but we have our fingers crossed.