2016 Taurus Prototype Caught in the wild

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Since there isnt a official 5th generation section yet I will put in here for now.

2016 Taurus Prototype Caught in the wild


http://www.tflcar.com/2014/09/2016-ford-taurus-prototype-caught-in-the-wild/

 

[rcryniak]

I'm pretty sure that's actually a 2016 Fusion Prototype. Compare this the Car & Driver spy footage of the Fusion: http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2016-ford-fusion-spy-photos-news

 

[Racer X]

A word on the prototype photos:

If the photo truly was taken in the wild (ie. On a road, on a track, etc.), post away!

If the photo looks like it's in a building, or more specifically, a design studio, for the love of God, don't post it.

I made this mistake a couple of years before the Gen 4 SHO came out, and it didn't go well.

I re-posted the pic at like 2am, and by 9am it was on every car blog and publication, everywhere, and my inbox was full of angry e-mails from FoMoCo before lunch. Apparently someone took a photo with their cell phone in the design studio, it made it's way to SHOForum, I reposted it on TCCA, and the rest is history.

Don't be me.

 

[SHO Continental]

It looks exactly like the prototype from Car & Driver.

That prototype also has a taller rear roof and a few extra inches of wheelbase. I'm betting it's the fusion-based Taurus.

Whipped this up to help compare.

 

[rcryniak]

It looks exactly like the prototype from Car & Driver.

That prototype also has a taller rear roof and a few extra inches of wheelbase. I'm betting it's the fusion-based Taurus.

Whipped this up to help compare.

Thanks for the compare... the Car & Driver site says it's the Fusion though. However, you could be right. I actually hope NOT - the lines on the current Taurus are much more aggressive looking than the Fusion, and I like it quite a bit as it is. The Fusion... meh. IMO it's a bit more feminine looking than the Taurus. Also, my understanding was that they were basing only the new frame on the Fusion, just longer and wider? In your swap, it looks like the same exact length. I really hope they don't just make a faster Fusion and call it a Taurus. I'd be a little disappointed.

Then again, we've yet to see whatever that is without it's cheetah spots. Production version might actually look pretty sweet, who knows? (sigh) lol

OH, and I for one hope the new version's trunk is just as big if not bigger Not that I'd ever need such a large trunk... it's just fun showing it to people and watching their reactions. hahahahha:laugh_ti:

 

[shobote]

Ford has done a heckuva job not revealing any info about the 2015 F-150 which hits dealer lots in December, so expect few details to emerge about the 2016 Taurus until it is ready. For sure it will be larger inside, and if they use aluminum body panels, much lighter weight so maybe I will take a look at this version. The current version SHO I cannot even fit in the seat to test drive, as it was apparently designed by small engineers.. cramped interior with the worst kneeroom / headroom. I also do not fit in Mustangs, Corvette C7, Camero's, M3, but Taurus is a huge car in comparison.

 

[vforrest]

Getting an oil change last Friday and chatted with my sales guy and said I was bummed that the 2016 SHO was going on a Fusion frame....to small for me so count me out.

He said don't be so sure about that. He said Ford is keeping everyone in the dark including the dealers. He said there is a prototype out there that is a Taurus too. And then in the next breath he says there is lots of talk out there that Ford is ending the Taurus all together.

 

[rcryniak]

What I've heard is that the 2016 Taurus is going on a "stretched Fusion" platform. If we assume Taurus will survive the model reduction that's been a part of the One Ford initiative (a reasonably safe bet) then I expect we'll see a full size or near full size sedan with an aluminum frame. The current Taurus is based on a Volvo platform, so this change would be internal/structural. It really doesn't tell us if the body would even be substantially changed. The only thing truly clear/expected IMO is that it will be lighter.

As far as interior room, keep in mind that body/frame size has little to do with cabin room. My wife carpools with a very large guy that needs some space. She had an Aveo which is a compact, but the seating was so large I felt like I was floating around in it.

Bottom line, don't worry about it until we know we should be.

 

[vforrest]

What I've heard is that the 2016 Taurus is going on a "stretched Fusion" platform. If we assume Taurus will survive the model reduction that's been a part of the One Ford initiative (a reasonably safe bet) then I expect we'll see a full size or near full size sedan with an aluminum frame. The current Taurus is based on a Volvo platform, so this change would be internal/structural. It really doesn't tell us if the body would even be substantially changed. The only thing truly clear/expected IMO is that it will be lighter.

As far as interior room, keep in mind that body/frame size has little to do with cabin room. My wife carpools with a very large guy that needs some space. She had an Aveo which is a compact, but the seating was so large I felt like I was floating around in it.

Bottom line, don't worry about it until we know we should be.

Great points! When I bought mine I asked the salesman to open the trunk....I said sold! The cabin size is important but coming out of several SUV's I didn't want to lose too much trunk space. I bet I won't able to swim laps in a stretch-Fusion trunk...I believe I just made myself Capt. of the All Nerd team. Bought an SHO because of the trunk.....:woo-hoo:

 

[rcryniak]

Bought an SHO because of the trunk.....:woo-hoo:

Honestly... it really is a great feature of the Gen6 Taurii (incl. Gen4 SHO) In fact, when I'm showing people my car, if they're not a "car person" and have no idea what HP really means, our cavernous trunk is my go to for "ain't it cool?" Especially since it doesn't look like it should be that big from the outside. It's like my own personal TARDIS. (How's that for "Nerdy" hahaha)

 

[Devin]

Getting an oil change last Friday and chatted with my sales guy and said I was bummed that the 2016 SHO was going on a Fusion frame....to small for me so count me out.

He said don't be so sure about that. He said Ford is keeping everyone in the dark including the dealers. He said there is a prototype out there that is a Taurus too. And then in the next breath he says there is lots of talk out there that Ford is ending the Taurus all together.

Cause that worked out great last time, too.

 

[integrity6987]

After reading the OP - my only thought was Ford had better not put a rotary trans selector on the console in a "sports sedan".