Ford Taurus (third generation)

For a complete overview of all Taurus models, see Ford Taurus.
Ford Taurus (third generation)
Overview
ManufacturerFord
ProductionJune 19, 1995 – September 1999
Model years1996–1999
AssemblyAtlanta Assembly, Hapeville, Georgia, U.S.
Chicago Assembly, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DesignerDoug Gaffka (1991, 1992)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size car[2]
Body style4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
LayoutFF layout
PlatformFord DN101 platform
RelatedMercury Sable
Ford Taurus SHO
Lincoln Continental
Ford Windstar
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed AX4N automatic
4-speed AX4S automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase108.5 in (2,756 mm)[3]
LengthSedan: 197.5 in (5,016 mm)
Station wagon: 199.6 in (5,070 mm)
Width73.0 in (1,854 mm)
HeightSedan: 55.1 in (1,400 mm)
Station wagon: 57.6 in (1,463 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Taurus (second generation)
SuccessorFord Taurus (fourth generation)

The third-generation Ford Taurus is an automobile that was marketed by Ford from the 1996 to 1999 model years. While the chassis underpinnings were largely carried over, the redesign gave the Taurus its first complete exterior redesign since its 1986 introduction. Slotted between the compact Ford Contour and full-size Ford Crown Victoria, the third-generation Taurus was again offered as a four-door sedan and as a five-door station wagon, marketed alongside the Mercury Sable.

In contrast to the evolutionary 1992 update of the second generation, the third generation sought to recreate the class-leading design introduced by the 1986 Taurus, also in response to the 1992 introduction of the Chrysler LH cars.[4] Following the 1986 introduction of the Taurus, the model line had gained two significant competitors — the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord (the latter of which, the Taurus had overtaken as best-selling car in the United States) alongside traditional GM and Chrysler-brand competition.[5] The first Ford to combine round headlights with composite-style housings, the third-generation Taurus adopted oval shapes for multiple design elements of the exterior and interior, including the grille openings, taillamps, the rear window (for the Taurus sedan and Taurus/Sable station wagons), and side window openings for the Taurus/Sable.

The model line was released for sale in late 1995; in contrast to the near-universal acceptance of the first-generation Taurus, the third-generation Taurus received mixed reactions from consumers.[6] For the 1996 model year, the Taurus remained the best-selling car in the United States; however, only 49% of the model line were sold to retail customers, with the rest nearly entirely supported through fleet sales.[4] For 1997, the more conservatively redesigned Toyota Camry overtook the Taurus as the best-selling car in the United States (a position it has held ever since).[7]

The third-generation Taurus was assembled by Ford at its Atlanta Assembly (Hapeville, Georgia) and Chicago Assembly (Chicago, Illinois) facilities.

  1. ^ Kerwin, Kathleen (24 July 1995). "The Shape Of A New Machine". Bloomberg.com – via www.bloomberg.com.
  2. ^ "1999 Ford Taurus Specifications-Vehix". Archived from the original on 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  3. ^ "1996 Ford Taurus Intro-04". Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference CG encyclopedia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference News96 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference MW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference det was invoked but never defined (see the help page).