it needs to be more voluptious....but its a good start.

 

I think the trick here is going to be getting folks to drive it. While this may not be how I would have approached this update were it up to me the reality is that this car has something of subtance to offer that the foreign competition doesn't. And that would be the performance and economy of the upcoming Ecoboost V6 engine.

Add it up. The current base AWD Taurus starts under 26k with the n/a 3.5L V6 under the hood. Even if you add a bit of money to account for inflation and tack on another 3k-4k for the Ecoboost option you still have the likelihood of a sub 30k car with awd that packs 340hp and 340lb-ft of torque (not to mention a torque curve that looks like something you would find in a big block) and fuel economy which both equals that of the n/a Taurus and trumps anything that even comes close in terms of hp despite the drain created by the awd system. Factor in the advantage of a huge trunk, the availbility of SYNC, and best ever large car crash test performance and you finally have a case where Ford has figured out that the secret isn't simply to offer something comaprable to the competition but rather to trump their offerings in spades.

The fact that it actually looks good, and surprisingly upscale, is icing on the proberbial cake. When people drive this they are going to find a slew of reasons to choose this over the competition...and that is what has been missing from all the recent efforts from Ford and GM most of which apparently set out to proclaim that Ford and GM can build an Accord too. This Taurus appears to go a step further pointing out that Ford can offer several desirable features the Japanese don't and for equivelant or less money.

Now, if only they wouldn't call it a Taurus.

 

the fusion is a good looking car but for me the taillights and grille kill it for me. but then again, I am anti chrome on cars. Already removed the faux gas cap and plan on painting the running pony and GT emblems flat black. I painted the faux gas cap flat black also in case I ever want to put it back on.

 

I think this is key, all the press surrounding the Malibu has been that "its like a better Accord/Camry." I'm hoping the upscale and feature-packed nature of the Ford will have people simply saying "Its much better than Accord/Camry."

 

I like it and personally I think it will do well for them it's exactly what they need... stylish enough to appeal yet bland enough to sell to the masses!

 

Rear Camo shots?

http://howdywilcox.org/?p=125

 

Hmm, the tail lights say Lincoln to me, but the C pillar says Ford.

 

I'm pretty sure thats the 2009 MKZ......I was looking at some spy shots of that the other day on Edmunds

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=124579#6

Not very revealing though.

 

TheMustangNews had the pic up as well.

 

Not the Taurus, greenhouse and slab sides are definitely indicating a Fusion/MKZ/Milan.