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2004 Ford Taurus Overview

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#1 ·
Taurus was founded on safety, comfort, value and reliability and for 2004 continues to improve in every one of these areas. Building off two distinctive new interior packages and numerous comfort, convenience and manufacturing refinements for the 2003 Taurus, the 2004 Taurus receives a freshened exterior.

Since it was introduced in 1985, Taurus sales have averaged more than 350,000 units every year, and the car line recently surpassed 6 million units in total sales. Taurus remains one of the 10 best-selling vehicles – car or truck – in the United States.

Taurus is built in Atlanta, Ga., and Chicago.


Design and Equipment
Taurus is available in two body styles: a four-door sedan that seats five or six passengers and a four-door, seven- or eight-passenger station wagon. The sedan is available in four trim series: LX, SE, SES and top-of-the-line SEL. The midrange SE and SES are the most popular series with individual consumers.

For 2004, the new egg-crate grille and front and rear fascia clearly represent the Ford brand image. These aerodynamic styling cues are contemporary and continue to drive Taurus’ upscale appearance. The refined styling touches demonstrate the Taurus team’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality.

The enhanced upscale design changes complement the functional upgrades and manufacturing process improvements that make Taurus quieter, more refined and help improve quality.

Powertrain and Chassis
All Taurus models have V-6 power. The 3.0-liter Vulcan V-6 is a rugged overhead-valve engine with 155 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque. The 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 uses dual overhead cams to produce 201 horsepower and 207 foot-pounds of torque. It is also an all-aluminum engine design. For 2004, a revised exhaust system helps make the Duratec engine LEVII compliant.

A four-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control programming is standard on all models. This year, transmission improvements, including fast-acting hydraulics and an enhanced torque converter provide better fuel economy, customer satisfaction and performance. Taurus is front-wheel-drive.

The ride from Taurus’ suspension system is secure, confident and well-controlled. Sedan models use an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and quadralink rear suspension; wagons have a short- and long-arm rear suspension with nitrogen pressurized shocks and progressive-rate springs, which help maintain comfort through a range of loading levels.


Safety
Parents magazine and AAA selected the Taurus wagon as one of the best vehicles for families. Reviewers liked that the Taurus comes standard with Ford’s Personal Safety System™ with second-generation dual-stage air bags.

Taurus continues to earn a double five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest crash rating NHTSA awards for frontal crash tests. In addition, Taurus is rated a “Best Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in its offset frontal crash test.


Major Equipment and Options
LX: power windows and mirrors, AM/FM stereo, six-passenger seating, tilt steering, air conditioning, Vulcan engine and intermittent wipers.

SE adds: keyless entry with approach lamps, aluminum wheels, cassette player and speed control.

SES adds: anti-lock brakes, CD player in lieu of cassette and power driver’s seat.

SEL adds: Duratec engine, machined aluminum wheels, six-disc CD changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electronic automatic temperature control, keyless entry keypad, 60/40 folding rear seat back, five-passenger seating and automatic on/off headlamps.

Options include: side-impact air bags, traction control, power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, power moon roof, leather seat trim and more.
 

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#2 ·
Id say replace the ugly looking Taurus's with the Aussie BA FAlcon! Let the Yanks see what a real Sedan Is!
 
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