Segment: Medium
Production years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
The Taurus was one of the best selling cars in America for over a decade, after its first generation launch in 1986. The 1995 model came with a totally new design.
The first generation of the Taurus was built to replace the older Ford LTD and it represented the transition to front-wheel-drive for the mid-size family sedan. After nine years, the third generation was introduced and it had to continue the winning streak of the Taurus. But it didn't.
While its predecessors featured a conservative design, the fourth generation of the Taurus dared to be different. It was the era of biodesign and Ford tried that in a conservative market. The oval shape of the logo was the inspiration design element for the whole car. The dual oval headlights were accompanied by oval-shaped side windows and an oval rear windscreen.
The interior repeated the oval theme on the center stack where the climate controls and the stereo were incorporated into an oval-shaped black plastic. Even the instrument cluster was elliptical. Despite the design, the car featured sufficient room for up to six adults, with an intelligent front bench. In the rear, the Taurus featured a three-point seatbelt for the middle passenger, a first for its class.
For the engine compartment, Ford installed a choice of three V6 engines ranged from 3.0- to 3.4-liter with power up to 238 hp. All three versions were mated to a standard 4-speed auto, with a steering-column shifter.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 4AT (145 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2966 cm3 |
Power: | 106.6 KW @ 5300 RPM 145 HP @ 5300 RPM 143 BHP @ 5300 RPM |
Torque: | 151 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM 205 Nm @ 2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.1 gallons (60.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109 mph (175 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/65R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 199.6 in (5070 mm) |
Width: | 73.2 in (1859 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/61.4 in (1,560/1,560 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 108.7 in (2761 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10 cuFT (283 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3362 lbs (1525 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 4AT (200 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2966 cm3 |
Power: | 147.1 KW @ 5750 RPM 200 HP @ 5750 RPM 197 BHP @ 5750 RPM |
Torque: | 200 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 271 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.1 gallons (60.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/65R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 199.6 in (5070 mm) |
Width: | 73.2 in (1859 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/61.4 in (1,560/1,560 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 108.7 in (2761 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10 cuFT (283 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3362 lbs (1525 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - SHO 3.4L V8 4AT (238 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 3392 cm3 |
Power: | 175 KW @ 6100 RPM 238 HP @ 6100 RPM 235 BHP @ 6100 RPM |
Torque: | 200 lb-ft @ 4800 RPM 271 Nm @ 4800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.1 gallons (60.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/65R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 199.6 in (5070 mm) |
Width: | 73.2 in (1859 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/61.4 in (1,560/1,560 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 108.7 in (2761 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10 cuFT (283 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3362 lbs (1525 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |