Ford Taurus (second generation)
Ford Taurus (second generation) | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 3,118 lb (1,414 kg)–3,472 lb (1,575 kg) | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Ford Taurus (first generation) | |
Successor | Ford Taurus (third generation) |
The second-generation Ford Taurus is an
Overview
Exterior
The exterior of the second generation was completely redesigned from the first generation. Its length was increased by a few inches, and it was a couple of hundred pounds heavier, and had a more rounded roofline.[1] Every body panel, save for the doors, was redesigned. However, many of the redesigned components closely resembled that of the previous generation, leading many to falsely believe that this generation is just a facelift of the previous generation.[3]
The front nose was redesigned with slimmer
Also with this generation, each model of Taurus received different exterior trim. The lowest level Taurus L had light grey plastic mirrors and window trim, while the bumpers and side trim were also light grey. The GL, the mid priced model, got chrome window trim and body color mirrors, while still retaining the grey bumpers and side trim. The top-of-the-line LX model had its bumpers color keyed, as well as having the grey side trim replaced with color keyed body cladding. 1992 L and GL models (and the Mercury Sable GS) could also be ordered with a two-tone paint job, in which instead of being grey, the bumpers and side trim were painted a slightly darker shade of the vehicle's body color.[1] To cut costs, this was discontinued for the 1993 model year, as all models received color-matched trim and bumpers from that year onward.[1]
Interior
The interior was also completely redesigned for 1992. The Taurus received a new dashboard that, like the previous generation, was designed to be user friendly.[3] Like the previous generation, it had all of the vehicle's main controls located near the left side of the dash, to be within the easy reach of the driver. Also like the previous generation, all of the controls were designed to be recognizable by touch, and to be operated by the driver without taking their eyes off the road.[3] The new dash also contained three buttons to the right of the gauge cluster that allowed the driver to operate the radio without taking their eyes off the road. The radio was also redesigned, while the rest of the lower dash was carried over from the previous generation, as was the steering wheel.[1] The new dash was also designed to contain a passenger's side airbag, a first of its kind.[3] It was optional in 1992 models and became standard in 1993, making the Taurus the first car of its kind to have dual front airbags.[3]
The seats and door panels were also redesigned. The new door panels contained integrated armrests, with the controls for the power windows and locks mounted flat on its frontal part, allowing the driver to operate them without moving their arm. These switches, along with all of the main controls, would become illuminated when the headlights were turned on, allowing the driver to easily see them at night.
Unlike the first generation, the interior was not as customizable in the second generation, and many options that were previously available were cut for 1992. The second generation now used only a single seat design shared with all models (the first generation LX got its own unique seat design), and was only available in two configurations; with a front bench seat and a column mounted shifter, or with front bucket seats and a center console with a floor mounted shifter. The console was a carryover from the first generation, although it was redesigned for 1993. The station wagon variant included dual fold-down rear-facing seats in the back.
Production figures
Sedan | Wagon | Yearly Total | |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | 274,289 | 67,828 | 342,117 |
1993 | 350,802 | 76,502 | 427,304 |
1994 | 288,737 | 55,135 | 343,872 |
1995 | 345,244 | 50,494 | 395,738 |
Total | 1,259,072 | 249,959 | 1,509,031 |
Models and engines
For 1992, the Taurus was available in three models; L, GL, and LX. As with the first generation, the L was the basic model, the GL was the mid-priced value model, and the LX was the luxury model. Due to disappointing sales, the L was dropped after 1992,[1] leaving the GL as the entry-level model. For the 1995 model year, a new SE model was added, intended to be a budget version of the SHO.[1] It was a step above the entry-level GL, a step below the top of the line LX, and came standard with front bucket seats and a center console with a floor-mounted shifter, as well as a rear spoiler borrowed from the SHO.[1] The SE was never available as a wagon.
The second generation also came in a modified
When the 2.5 L
This generation Taurus was exported to Japan in limited numbers, and sold at Japanese auto dealerships called Autorama (a joint venture with Mazda), where the Taurus SHO was the only model available in both sedan and wagon versions with left-hand driving positions until 1995. To Japanese buyers, it was regarded as a luxury vehicle as the exterior dimensions and engine displacement exceeded Japanese government regulations, and buyers in Japan were liable for additional taxes.
Variants
Mercury Sable
A redesigned Mercury Sable, a sister model to the Taurus aimed at a more upscale audience, went on sale alongside the Taurus in 1991. Like the first generation, the Sable shared all of the Taurus' mechanical components but had a unique body and interior. Similar to the Taurus, the second-generation Sable's design closely resembled the first-generation model, though the body and interior were almost completely redesigned and the new model was shorter than its predecessor; while the first generation Sable had an extended wheelbase, the redesigned model had the same wheelbase as the Taurus. The new model was still offered in GS and LS models in sedan and wagon bodies, a top-of-the-line LTS trim was offered on the sedan during the 1995 model year. Powertrains and most options were the same as the Taurus, though no counterpart of the Taurus SHO was offered. The Sable was produced concurrently alongside the Taurus through the 1995 model year.
In 1993, Ford Canada hand-built 40 Mercury Sables powered by SHO V6 engines as part of their AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) program and released 20 to the public. Using aluminum suspension elements and aluminum body panels, held together with a spot welding process and adhesive joining process developed specifically for this vehicle, the end result was a car that was 400 pounds lighter than a SHO Taurus. In 1995, Multimatic Motorsports entered one of these vehicles in the One Lap of America event, finishing 15th overall and 1st in the Mid-Priced Sedan class.[8][9][10][11]
Ford Taurus SHO
The second-generation Ford Taurus SHO was launched in the fall of 1991, along with the Taurus. Unlike the first generation, this SHO contained less aggressive body cladding, as well as a unique front end using parts largely borrowed from the Mercury Sable.[1] Like the Taurus and Sable, the SHO's drivetrain was carried over from the first generation. The only major change came on 1993s, when an automatic transmission became optional.[1] Automatic equipped cars got a slightly bigger engine with equal horsepower due to less aggressive camshafts.[1]
References and notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Taurus/Sable Sporrte's Guide: Second Generation (1992-1995)". Taurus Car Club of America. Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- Detroit News. Archived from the originalon 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2006-05-16.
- ^ a b c d e f DiPetro, John (2003-04-18). "Inside Line: Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable". Edmunds. Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
- OCLC 43301709.
- ^ "Ford Taurus engines". Taurus Car Club of America. Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Taurus's serving the community". Denniswolfe.com/Taurus. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
- ^ "ABOUT LONG ISLAND; Want to Speed on the L.I.E.? You'd Better Keep a Sharp Eye Behind You". New York Times. 12 April 1992.
- ^ "SHO Sable". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
- ^ "SHO Sable". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
- ^ "1995 One Lap of America results". Retrieved 2016-04-05.
- ^ "1995". Multimatic Motorsports. 2011-05-23. Archived from the original on 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2016-04-05.