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Ford Taurus sedan rebuilt from inside-out to increase safety
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Multiple hunks of crumpled cars with crushed fenders, wrinkled bumpers and shattered windshields line an entryway into the vast crash hall at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Vehicle Research Center (VRC) near Charlottesville, where impact tests reveal how various cars, trucks and wagons protect passengers during a traumatic collision.
Among so many mangled car bodies at the VRC, Ford's Taurus in sedan issues from 1996 to 1999 stands out due to the residual structural integrity and resultant high scores achieved for shielding driver and passenger during frontal collisions. Subsequent tests by government scientists led to the highest federal rating of five stars awarded to Taurus by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
These superior safety scores earned by previous Taurus models served as a goal guiding the design and development of a new generation of Taurus sedans, according to the chief program engineer, Dave Marinaro, who rode with us during a series of driving tests in 2000 Taurus editions over winding roads in Virginia en route to the VRC.
Marinaro pointed out that the rigid structure of the previous Taurus became the foundation of the new version, but with more safety hardware aboard including a new collection of sophisticated technologies that Ford has labeled as a Personal Safety System.
The new computer-controlled equipment -- which includes a collection of sensors that gathers information timed in milliseconds regarding the type and intensity of a frontal crash -- can actually analyze a particular incident at the onset and react to it by deploying different safety devices in a manner appropriate for circumstances of the collision in order to maximize protection of the human cargo.
For instance, sensors track the severity of a frontal crash along with driver's seat position in proximity to the steering wheel, and whether seat belts are being used. The brain in the system may then activate pretensioners on belts to hold an occupant in place and also decide if the crash intensity warrants deployment of frontal air bags.
The bags, set with two stages of force, inflate with lower energy during a lesser crash but can maximize force for an intense incident.
Two additional air bags mounted in outboard seat bolsters -- designed to shield both head and chest of front-seat riders and reduce the risk of injury in a side collision -- are available optionally.
Taurus also scores as the first sedan in North America to offer power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.
An electric motor sets brake and accelerator pedals closer toward the driver's seat, with pedal movements controlled by the driver through an illuminated switch on the instrument panel.
And in the spacious trunk of the revised Taurus, an emergency trunk release mechanism glows in the dark as a guide to enable anyone trapped inside to pop the trunk lid quickly and escape.
The extensive array of personal safety gear installed in Taurus illustrates how development of the new edition occurred: Beginning with spatial and comfort considerations for the individual passenger in each seat, the design progressed from inside the passenger compartment outward, as confirmed by Marinaro.
Front seats were revamped for comfort and to accommodate the optional side air bags.
With the three-person front bench seat, a flip-down center console now folds out to a position flush with the floor, whereas with twin front bucket seats a new console contains a forward open bin and a rear closed compartment large enough to store a portable phone.
The dash holds a new center panel which clusters controls for audio and climate systems, with various switch buttons arranged in linear grids for easy reach.
A new instrument panel applies analog gauges including speedometer and tachometer.
Occupants gain headroom in the new design due to the raised height of the roof. In front, there's an inch more space available, with almost two inches more in back.
The higher roof position builds height into the wrap of window glass surrounding the Taurus cabin, with a bold new raked windshield in front and a rectangular rear light which seems to increase outward visibility for the driver.
Other structural elements of Taurus were modified for functional reasons. The front hood was raised to create larger air intake ports for more efficient engine cooling, and the tail deck, four inches taller than the previous design, expands the trunk volume to 17 cubic feet.
Exterior styling evolved from these structural changes.
The overall look appears as a quiet understated design compared to daring styling lines of the previous Taurus. From frontal view, the entire form looks windswept from nose to roof, as accented by large wraparound multi-lens headlamps and a wide but narrow grille.
Doors make curvy waves in an extension of the previous Taurus side panels, but at the rear the new tall decklid ends at a spoiler lip with oversized corner back lamps.
Beneath the skin, this Taurus packs an independent suspension system using MacPherson struts in front and back quadralink with helical coil springs and nitrogen gas-pressurized shocks. Revisions in rear strut valving as well as stabilizer bar tuning work out a smoother ride quality, although the car still maintains poise without excessive body roll when handling a tight set of road curves.
A rack and pinion steering gear has power assistance.
All Taurus versions stock front disc and rear drum brakes, with an anti-lock system and the new link to traction control appearing in optional packages.
For power, two previous 3.0-liter V6 engines were reworked for the new editions to deliver more horsepower and better fuel economy figures. The base engine, Ford's two-valve Vulcan V6, increases output to 155 hp. A four-valve version, Ford's Duratec V6, loads twin cams on top and generates up to 200 hp.
An exceptional four-speed automatic transaxle mates with either engine.
Models include LX and SE trims, with price points beginning at $18,245 and including air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, plus a stereo sound system.
A package of popular options for the SE at $875 brings anti-lock brakes, power for the driver's seat and a fold-down rear seatback. Further, the upgraded engine lists at $695, adjustable foot pedals are $120, traction control goes for $175, while the side air bags tally to $390.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2000 FORD TAURUS Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
108.5 inches
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| Overall Length: |
197.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.0-L V6
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/
opt. ABS/TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
20/29 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 18,245 to $ 21,525 |
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