* New 2008 Ford Taurus, available this summer, starts under $24,000.
* Taurus costs thousands less than comparably equipped Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300.
* The most powerful, refined, safest and roomiest Ford Taurus ever features a bold new design. All-wheel drive is now available for the first time on Taurus.
* New Taurus follows the same product and pricing strategy that has seen the 3-year resale values of new Ford products improve by as much as 11 percentage points.



DEARBORN , Mich., April 3, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Taurus – the most powerful, refined, roomiest and safest Taurus ever – will have a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,995, including destination and delivery. Comparably equipped, Ford's iconic family sedan will be priced thousands of dollars less than sedans like the Toyota Avalon and the Chrysler 300.


Nearly 7 million Ford Taurus sedans have been built since 1985, and it remains one of the most recognized Ford vehicle names of all time – trailing only the Ford F-Series and Mustang.


The new Ford Taurus has a distinctive looked inspired by the highly successful Ford Fusion and Ford Edge. It adopts Ford's powerful and refined 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and features some of Ford's most advanced safety technology – including standard Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags. The new Taurus already has earned five-star ratings in all categories in crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"The overall impression the new Ford Taurus makes – inside and out – is upscale. But it will deliver great value, just like the original," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. "The new Taurus goes to the heart of how we are approaching the future of this great company and this great brand. Build more of the products that people really want – products with more striking designs and even better value."


Great Value

The 2008 Ford Taurus is available in two trim series: Taurus SEL and Taurus Limited. The 2008 Ford Taurus SEL starts at $23,995 (MSRP), including $750 destination and delivery.


A 2008 Ford Taurus SEL equipped with the optional Interior Convenience Package (including a 6-disc CD changer, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, wiper-activated headlamps with auto on/off, 8-way power driver's seat and wood grain appearance) is priced at $24,890 – a compelling value compared with comparably equipped Toyota Avalon XL ($27,495) and Chrysler 300 Touring ($29,635) models.


The new Taurus also delivers the best all-wheel drive value in its segment, with base prices starting at $25,845. The only other vehicle in its competitive set to offer all-wheel drive is Chrysler 300 – beginning at $30,250.


The pricing of the 2008 Ford Taurus continues a strategy Ford has been following with each new vehicle launch: offer bold designs with new features and more standard safety equipment at very competitive prices to create long-term value for consumers.

According to Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) data, this approach has sharply improved the resale value of Ford products at launch. For example, the projected 36-month resale value of the new Ford F-Series Super Duty is the highest of any full-size pickup truck. The resale value of the 2008 Ford Escape improved 11 percentage points and the resale value of the 2007 Ford Expedition improved by 9 percentage points.

Standard content on the 2008 Ford Taurus includes:

* 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 engine (263 hp and 249 lb.-ft torque)
* Smooth-shifting, fuel-saving 6-speed automatic transmission
* Front-wheel drive
* Personal Safety System
* Driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags
* Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags
* Tire pressure monitoring system
* Audio input jack for MP3 players
* AM/FM stereo with single CD player
* Traction control
* Integrated key fob
* Fog lamps
* 17-inch 8-spoke aluminum wheels


Available options include:

* AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control
* Wiper-activated headlamps
* All-wheel drive system
* New-generation DVD Family Entertainment System with 8-inch screen
* Voice-activated DVD-based Navigation System
* Wood package
* Ford SYNC™ voice-activated communications and entertainment system (available beginning this Fall)
* 18-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheel
* SIRIUS™ satellite radio
* Power moonroof
* Power adjustable pedals
* Reverse sensing system
* Front row heated seats

The 2008 Ford Taurus is built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant. It will be available for sale this summer.

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hmmm. Looks like a Ford 500 to me. I'm just not all that inspired by the looks. That will have a tough time going up against the Camry and Accord. it did well in the past. But I just don't know if that is going to hang with those offerings. I wish Ford the best. They really need another good car for the line

Personally When I think of Taurus I do not compare it to the Avalon or the 300. I agree with newstang and think that it is more comparable to a Camry or Accord, at least in name, and as he said it will have a tough time going up against those two American market mainstays.

The 500 was meant to be a competitor to the Avalon and the 300, and by renaming it to the Taurus I don't think the average consumer will maintain that comparison in their minds.

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the sharpest tool in the shed
1989 Mustang 5.0 GT (25th Anniversary Edition)
~hobby car~

Hold on a sec.... so the 500 is being re-named the Taurus? And they are dropping the 500 name

Ok now I'm confused

Sorry for the confusion. I am not sure which way it is going now. It was originally reported that the 500 would be renamed to the Taurus (Ford to Rename Its 500 Model the Taurus - News - MSNBC.com). This was also already pointed out on these forums once (http://www.fordmotorforum.com/forums...tml#post38519). It does not seem that Ford has followed through with this though, as you can see from the 2008 lineup that both the 500 and Taurus will be produced.

I'm now confused also!

__________________
the sharpest tool in the shed
1989 Mustang 5.0 GT (25th Anniversary Edition)
~hobby car~

Now we are all confused :eek:

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Would one of the FORD DEALERS on here be willing to clear this up. what is going on with the Taurus and 500??????

It should come as no surprise that the Taurus and its siblings perform well on crash tests. The platform was developed from the Volvo P2 architecture that provides the basis for the original S80, as well as the S60 and outgoing V70. The Taurus has just earned itself five-star ratings in all of the NHTSA's tests, and the IIHS recommends the Taurus as a Top Pick. Seeking to capitalize on that success, the advertising boffins have whipped up a new tagline: "Rated Safest Car In America." Our spines tingle with delight. Our write-in suggestion of "Saves Your Arse" apparently has gone unheeded.

The Ford Five Hundred was so under-promoted by Ford that we don't recall any tag line. No matter. Seeking a return on its investment, Ford has given the revamped Five Hundred the Taurus moniker and a raft of upgrades. The hope is that the Taurus name isn't totally bankrupt, even though the DN101-based last generation was allowed to die on the vine. The new 3.5 liter V6 helps out by not only bumping power, but the horrid NVH of the 3.0 liter has been replaced by a hearty growl, instantly making the car feel better. It's a roomy, well put together car that drives well, for a reasonable price, so perhaps buyers will find the safety scores a persuasive argument.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

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Ford really did a poor job promoting the 500 maybe they will step it up with the Tarus name.