New Ford Taurus Delivers Increased Fuel Economy with Expanded Powertrain Offerings

Taurus Limited offers luxury levels of customer comfort, convenience and connectivity technologies, while still projected to deliver up to 31 highway mpg when fitted with 2.0-liter EcoBoost power

• With two new engine choices, the new Ford Taurus sedan offers projected best-in-class fuel economy of up to at least 31 mpg highway – almost 15 percent higher than the Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger

• Taurus adds second EcoBoost™ engine option with the highly efficient new 2.0-liter engine, ideal for sedan buyers placing the highest priority on fuel economy

• Standard Taurus 3.5-liter V6 provides more horsepower and fuel economy with the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), providing unmatched fuel economy in its segment

• Each Taurus engine is mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission with optimized gearing and SelectShift Automatic™ functionality

NEW YORK, April 19, 2011 – Fuel efficiency comes standard with the new Ford Taurus, featuring an expanded array of fuel-efficient powertrains engineered to improve fuel economy without compromising power or responsiveness.

“The new Taurus pays off on our promise to deliver new vehicles with the best or among the best fuel economy in every segment where Ford competes,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We have raised the bar for the standard Taurus V6 by adding Ti-VCT to increase power and fuel economy, while adding an additional EcoBoost™ engine option that boosts highway fuel economy to at least 31 mpg, which is best-in-class.”

These new engines join the Taurus SHO twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 that provides sport-sedan power while delivering up to 25 mpg on the highway.

EcoBoost 2.0-liter engine
For full-size sedan buyers seeking maximum fuel efficiency without the additional cost or complexity of a hybrid powertrain, the new Taurus offers Ford’s new EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as an option. This advanced engine combines direct injection of gasoline and a turbocharger to provide performance comparable to normally aspirated V6 engines offered by competitors.

The EcoBoost 2.0-liter is anticipated to deliver an estimated 237 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque while delivering best-in-class fuel economy of at least 31 mpg. That bests Toyota Avalon by 2 mpg and Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger by 4 mpg.

Like other Ford EcoBoost engines, peak torque is generated in a wide band from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm.

This torque plateau makes for flexible, efficient power delivery across a broad range of engine and vehicle speeds, while helping to conserve fuel by making peak torque available at lower rpm levels. Ti-VCT, four valves per cylinder and direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) valve lifters increase mechanical efficiency across the operating range.

A relatively high compression ratio is enabled by the use of direct injection of gasoline, operating at fuel pressures from 2,200 to 2,800 psi. The unique turbocharger is optimally matched to the EcoBoost 2.0-liter engine and direct injection system, providing precise fuel pressure control to deliver boosted power at low rpm without annoying turbo lag.

The EcoBoost 2.0-liter uses 5W30-GF4 oil to reduce internal friction, and enables 10,000-mile oil change intervals providing a reduction in cost of ownership. In addition, fuel economy is optimized with a low-tension accessory drive belt and a one-way alternator clutch.

Targeted durability is 10 years or 150,000 miles. Durability actions include enhanced oil filtration and cleanliness and cast inter-bore cooling within the all-aluminum engine block. Thermal efficiency is optimized by employment of a full-face charge-style air cooler.

EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 engine
The EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 – standard equipment in the high-performance Taurus SHO – is Ford’s most powerful EcoBoost offering, delivering 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

Like all Ford EcoBoost engines, this engine produces peak torque across a broad plateau from 1,500 to 5,250 rpm. Peak torque, building quickly off idle, ensures responsive acceleration.

From the driver’s seat, the result is linear power delivery.

Combining direct injection and a pair of turbochargers, this engine avoids lag by employing impellers that spool up quickly for swift response. The Taurus SHO combination of power, linear torque delivery, all-wheel drive and up to 25 mpg highway is unmatched by competitors.

Ti-VCT 3.5-liter V6 engine
The 3.5-liter V6 is offered as standard equipment in Taurus SE, SEL and Limited series models.

In the new Taurus, this engine benefits from the addition of Ti-VCT, enabling optimized fuel economy, additional horsepower and a reduction in part-throttle emissions compared to the previous standard Taurus V6. This engine is projected to deliver 255 lb.-ft. of torque and 290 horsepower, up from 263 horsepower in the current model.

Ti-VCT allows precise control of valve overlap variability or the time when intake and exhaust valves are open concurrently. The result is increased mechanical efficiency for improved response and performance. This improved engine breathing helps to increase fuel economy.

This V6 engine also features a DAMB valvetrain with polished buckets to reduce friction, piston-cooling jets, improved bay-to-bay breathing through cylinder blocks and a new higher-capacity oil pan.

The 3.5-liter V6 sees a fuel economy benefit from aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff, restricting fuel flow under closed-throttle situations.

This engine has been engineered for durability with chain-driven camshafts, high-strength forged metal connecting rods with floating pins, a fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft, die-cast aluminum deep-sump oil pan and four-bolt main bearing caps with side bolts through the engine block.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics are controlled and reduced through employment of a tuned composite upper and lower manifold, a silent-chain camshaft drive and an acoustic engine cover.

The new Taurus with standard Ti-VCT V6 is anticipated to deliver more than 3 percent better highway fuel economy and will be unsurpassed in its segment. In addition, the standard V6 adds 27 horsepower.

Six-speed transmissions
Each Taurus engine is mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission specifically tailored to that application. Six-speed transmissions add fuel economy and performance, as they allow for lower gearing to be optimized for improved off-the-line acceleration, yet enable higher gears to help provide economical cruising by keeping engine rpm levels low.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost Taurus is fitted with a new 6F35 gearbox featuring active transmission warmup and a “dot nozzle” internal clutch friction material configuration. Together, these innovations contribute to overall fuel efficiency by reducing internal friction at warmup and when internal clutches are fully engaged.

Taurus models equipped with the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 feature the 6F50 six-speed transmission, while the Taurus SHO sport sedan mates a high-capacity 6F55 version of this gearbox to the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.

All-wheel drive
Taurus models equipped with all-wheel drive feature an advanced array of mechanical clutches that engage and disengage unobtrusively to efficiently distribute torque to the wheels with optimum traction.

This system helps Taurus to deliver superior traction in all types of inclement weather conditions. In the case of Taurus SHO, the standard all-wheel drive helps deliver high performance by efficiently putting power to the pavement.

All-wheel-drive Taurus models feature a new rear differential unit that saves weight and helps boost fuel economy versus today’s Taurus.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.