The 2013 Ford Taurus will become the first car in Ford’s North American lineup to offer the advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, combining a turbocharger with gasoline direct injection. It is expected to deliver highway fuel economy of at least 31 mpg US (7.6 L/100km). The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will deliver an estimated 237 hp (177 kW) and 250 lb-ft (339 N&iddot;m) of torque.
The Taurus will also offer as standard a 3.5-liter V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), enabling increased fuel economy while delivering 27 more horsepower, a reduction in part-throttle emissions and increased responsiveness.
Both engines are mated with unique six-speed automatic transmissions that offer optimized gear selection for off-the-line power delivery in lower gears, while benefiting fuel economy with higher gears that keep the engine turning efficiently at lower revolutions while cruising.
Each Taurus powertrain features additional technologies to help conserve fuel, such as:
- Low-tension front end accessory drive belt
- Smart battery management
- Aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff
- Variable-displacement air conditioning compressor
- Reduced friction lubricants
- Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)
The team put special emphasis to fit all new Taurus models with EPAS to improve steering response by speeding up the steering ratio and rigidly mounting the steering rack to the subframe. The EPAS system also allows for a high degree of tuning by Ford vehicle dynamics engineers to optimize steering feel, pleasing enthusiast drivers and serving as a confidence builder for less-experienced drivers.
The new Taurus will be manufactured at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.