Ford Taurus X

Ford Taurus X
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford Freestyle (2004-2007)
Production	2004–2009
Assembly	Chicago Assembly (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Body and chassis
Class	full-size Crossover
Body style	5-door Crossover
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Ford Five Hundred/Taurus Mercury Montego/Sable
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.9 in (2,870 mm)[1]
Length	199.8 in (5,070 mm)[2]
Width	74.4 in (1,890 mm)[3]
Curb weight	4,112 lb (1,865 kg)[4]
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Taurus wagon
Successor	Ford Flex

The Ford Freestyle also known as Ford Taurus X is a crossover utility vehicle that was sold by Ford from 2005 to 2009. Essentially the replacement for the Ford Taurus station wagon, the 2005-2007 Freestyle was produced in a single bodystyle with six or seven-passenger seating. As the Taurus made its return for 2008, the Freestyle was rebadged the Taurus X.

Manufactured alongside the Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, Mercury Sable, and the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus, the Ford Freestyle/Taurus X shared the Volvo-derived Ford D3 platform. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. All versions were produced at Chicago Assembly, in Chicago, Illinois. Unlike the D3 sedans, the Freestyle/Taurus X was sold exclusively as a Ford. Following its discontinuation in 2009, it was not directly replaced, but its role in the Ford line was largely taken over by the larger Ford Flex.

The Taurus X ended production on February 27, 2009 and was marketed in the United States and Canada, as well as South Korea and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Background

The Freestyle was previewed at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show with a Freestyle Concept before entering production for the 2005 model year. The vehicle was originally going to be called the Ford CrossTrainer, but had been renamed the Freestyle by the time the concept was released, due to Ford adopting an ill-fated naming scheme in which all Ford-branded passenger cars except the Mustang and Thunderbird would have a name start with the letter "F".^[5]

Design overview

For the Freestyle/Taurus X, Ford used its Volvo-derived D3 platform architecture. Sharing a common platform with the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, all four vehicles were derived from the Volvo P2 platform used for the first-generation Volvo S80 and Volvo XC90. To accommodate production costs for Ford and durability concerns for North American roads, a number of revisions were made to the platform, making the final vehicles significantly different.

Power came from a 3.0 L (181 cu in) Duratec V6, with an output of 203 hp (151 kW) at 5750 rpm.^[6] The Freestyle, along with the Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and the Ford Escape Hybrid, were the first American Ford vehicles to use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Five Hundred and Montego used a belt type CVT, while the Escape Hybrid used a CVT transaxle that utilized a planetary gearset controlled by the electric generator, similar to the Toyota Prius. All Freestyles were equipped with the CVT, but only all-wheel drive (AWD) Five Hundred and Montego models used the CVT (FWD versions used an Aisin F21++ six speed automatic). 55% of buyers selected the Haldex Traction-equipped all-wheel drive model rather than the expected 40%.

Model history

Freestyle (2005-2007)

2005–07 Ford Freestyle SEL

Introduced as a 2005 model largely in place of the Ford Taurus station wagon, the Freestyle was marketed as a crossover utility vehicle, a new market segment at the time. As with the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego, the Freestyle was available with front-wheel drive as standard with all-wheel drive as an option; the CVT of the all-wheel drive Five Hundred was the sole transmission on the Freestyle. The 203hp 3.0L Duratec V6 was the standard engine.^[6]

In contrast to a Taurus station wagon, the Freestyle featured forward-facing third-row seating (similar to the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition). Although designed with ground clearance between a sedan and a small SUV, the Freestyle featured what Ford described as "command seating," seating with a higher H-point, to increase driver visibility and ease of entry and exit.

The Freestyle was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2005 (placing second behind the Ford Escape Hybrid).

Taurus X (2008-2009)

2008–09 Ford Taurus X

In 2007, shortly after becoming CEO of Ford Motor Company, Alan Mulally called for a revision of the Ford and Mercury model ranges, saying that the shift towards Ford nameplates starting with the letter "F" was forgettable in the eyes of consumers. A key part of the decision was the reinstatement of the Ford Taurus nameplate, which would take the place of the Ford Five Hundred as a mid-cycle update for the 2008 model year. As the Ford Taurus would be produced exclusively as a sedan, the all-new Ford Taurus X nameplate was introduced to take the place of the Freestyle. The nameplate change was announced shortly after its unveiling at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 production model.

To bring it in line with the styling of other Ford light-truck lines, the Taurus X was given a flush-mounted three-bar horizontal chrome grille (similar to the Ford Edge, as are the headlights). As with the Freestyle, on non-Limited trims, the lower body and wheel well trim were painted in a contrasting color (as with all Ford SUVs). Matching the Ford Explorer, the Taurus X introduced an outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer trim level.

As with its sedan counterpart, the Taurus X featured major powertrain updates over its predecessor. The 203hp 3.0L V6 was replaced by an all-new 3.5L Duratec 35 V6 engine, raising output to 263hp.^[7] The ZF-Batavia CVT was replaced by an all-new Ford/GM 6-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive remained an option. To increase its functionality, the Taurus X featured new power options, including a power-operated rear liftgate and power-folding second-row seats.

Although the renaming of the Taurus sedan would improve its sales over the Five Hundred, the renaming of the Freestyle to the Taurus X would have the opposite effect, leading to a major decrease in sales. During its production, the Taurus X was partially affected by the automotive industry crisis of 2008–10. Although more fuel-efficient than SUVs than the V8-engined Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer, full-size crossovers such as the Taurus X were avoided in favor of smaller crossovers and sedans.

In 2009, the Ford Flex was introduced as the replacement for the discontinued Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey. The Taurus X was discontinued for the 2010 model year, with the Flex unofficially serving as its replacement.

Trim

SE: Offered only from 2004–06, it included basic features such as an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player and four speakers, keyless entry, and steel wheels with hubcaps.

SEL: Offered from 2004–09, the SEL model had the features of the SE plus the option of leather seating, rear DVD, and an AM/FM stereo with a six-disc CD/MP3 changer and seven premium Audiophile speakers. It also offered optional 2nd-row captain's chairs and a standard 3rd-row bench. It also had 17" tires with alloy wheels. The option of two-tone exterior paint was offered. After it was restyled as the Taurus X, Ford Sync and Bluetooth became options.

Eddie Bauer Edition: Following the other SUV's in Ford's lineup, the EB Edition included two-tone unique leather seating, standard Ford Sync, and standard Pueblo Gold Metallic two-tone exterior paint. It was only offered for 2008.

Limited: Offered from 2004–09, the Limited model had all the features of the SEL plus standard leather seating, seven speakers, and standard 2nd-row captain's chairs. It also offered monotone paint. It had 18" tires and wheels.

Sales (United States)

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2004	8,509
2005	76,739
2006[8]	58,602
2007	Freestyle:23,765 Taurus X:18,345
2008[9]	23,112
2009[10]	6,106

References

1. http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2005/895190/ford_freestyle_limited_awd.html
2. http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2005/895190/ford_freestyle_limited_awd.html
3. http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2005/895190/ford_freestyle_limited_awd.html
4. http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2005/895190/ford_freestyle_limited_awd.html
5. http://www.thecarconnection.com/tips-article/1004213_spy-shots-05-ford-crosstrainer
6. http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1463&press_section_id=398&make_id=92
7. http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1942&press_section_id=398&make_id=92
8. "Ford Motor Company 2007 sales". January 3, 2008.
9. "F-Series drives ford to higher market share for third consecutive month" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. January 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
10. "FORD CAPS 2009 WITH 33 PERCENT SALES INCREASE, FIRST FULL-YEAR MARKET SHARE GAIN SINCE 1995" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. January 5, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-05.

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External links

• Ford Vehicles.com Official Website