Ford knows people aren't going to buy the new Taurus because it offers thrilling performance. So in an attempt to draw buyers back to the large sedan many industry watchers call vital to the company's success, Ford has packed its flagship with a slew of gadgets.
Oh sure, the Taurus is good looking, drawing on the European styling of the Mondeo. And it's a deal at $25,995 or so. But it's the gadgets, from the obligatory Sync voice-activated communication and entertainment system to butt-massaging seats (really!) and capless gas tank, that have our inner geek grinning. Ford says all the tech is designed to make the car a connected, customized place to be when you're on the road.
"Taurus is more of a 'me' sedan now, and we've delivered with this buyer in mind," says Moray Callum, director of car and crossover utility vehicle design for Ford.
The Taurus was introduced in 1986 and was for many years one of the best selling cars in America. But then came the Dark Ages of the SUV and the Taurus hasn't been the same since. Sales sank 23 percent last year to 52,667 probably because people more often think "Camry" when you mention family sedan. So Ford reworked the Taurus in almost every regard, and the result is the best Taurus in, well, maybe ever. The gadgetry is just icing on the cupcake, and for the most part we don't see a lot of technology just for technology's sake. Here, then, is a quick rundown.
The good:
- Sync. Everything that could be said has been said about Ford's integrated, voice activated communications and entertainment system. From turn-by-turn directions to instant updates on everything from the news to the weather, Sync does everything but talk dirty to you.
- Adaptive cruise control. Radar technology helps the Taurus monitor traffic up to 600 feet ahead of you and adjust its speed to maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
- Collision warning with brake support. Working in conjunction with the aforementioned adaptive cruise control, this cool system broadcasts a visual "Head's up, dummy" message and sounds an audible warning when it detects sudden stops ahead. Just the thing to help keep from rear-ending that moron who stopped short in front of you.
- Personal safety system. This nifty gadget uses sensors to determine the size of the people occupying the front seats and judge their seating position to determine how fast to deploy the airbags if you do hit that moron who stopped short in front of you.
- Blind spot information system. More radar, this time embedded in the rear corners of the car, alerts you to cars in your blind spot and flashes a warning in the corresponding rear-view mirror telling you to keep an eye out.
- "Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler System." The rest of us call it a self-opening gas tank. Cool.
- "Multi-Contour Seats With Rolling Pattern Massage." The rest of us call it a back and butt massager. Sweet.
The not so bad:
- My Key. This contraption allows parents, or bosses, to restrict your driving by limiting the speed of the car, the volume of the stereo and more. Pretty cool, unless you're a high-school kid driving mom's car. But then, nothing's gonna help you anyway.
The ugly, but forgivable:
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers detect rain or snowfall and adjust the wipers accordingly. Umm, if you can't tell its raining and figure out how to adjust your wipers, please do us all a favor and get off the road. Thank you.
- SecuriCode Keyless Entry Keypad. Don't get us started.
Photos and nifty info-graphics: Ford
