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Ford Taurus X
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The Ford Taurus X was a 6 to 7-passenger full-size crossover SUV produced by Ford in the United States originally introduced in 2005 as the Ford Freestyle, before being renamed Taurus X for the 2008 model year. In Ford's lineup, it replaced the Ford Taurus station wagon, and for 2007, it slotted between the Edge and the Explorer. It is sold in the United States and Canada, as well as South Korea and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, U.S.
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Encyclopedia
The Ford Taurus X was a 6 to 7-passenger full-size crossover SUV produced by Ford in the United States originally introduced in 2005 as the Ford Freestyle, before being renamed Taurus X for the 2008 model year. In Ford's lineup, it replaced the Ford Taurus station wagon, and for 2007, it slotted between the Edge and the Explorer. It is sold 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. The Taurus X ended production on February 27, 2009, with the Ford Flex succeeding it.
2005-2007
Initially going to be called the Ford CrossTrainer in development before adopting the Freestyle name as part of Ford's then-naming strategy of naming all cars with the letter F, 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 assembled at Chicago Assembly.
The vehicle used the Ford D3 platform, which it shared with the Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and various Volvos including the XC90. Although it shared its platform with the XC90, the two vehicles were significantly different. The Freestyle had three rows of seats with seating for seven, like many large SUVs (e.g. Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition) and minivans. The Freestyle featured what Ford describes as "command seating," seating with a higher H-point, to increase driver visibility and ease of entry and exit.
The Freestyle, along with the Five Hundred and the Ford Escape Hybrid, were the first American Ford vehicles to use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). To Ford's surprise, 55% of buyers selected the Haldex Traction-equipped all-wheel drive model rather than the expected 40%. However, initial Freestyle sales were below Ford's original projections, though sales were showing steady improvement. Some buyers selected the Freestyle as an alternative to the best selling Ford Explorer.
The Freestyle was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2005 (second behind Escape Hybrid).
2008-2009
This vehicle was initially unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 model, alongside its siblings the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, re-badged, restyled versions of the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally said that Ford's scheme to make all its cars names start with the letter F was a bad move, as it made Ford's new cars easily forgettable. As a result of this issue being addressed, the Ford Freestyle was renamed the Taurus X, the Ford Five Hundred was renamed the Ford Taurus, and the Mercury Montego was renamed the Mercury Sable.
The design of the Taurus X closely resembled that of its former sibling, the Ford Edge, creating a family face for its crossover segment. The Taurus X made the use of Ford's new corporate grille, featuring three horizontal, chrome bars with center mounted blue oval. At the time, the Taurus X also offered an Eddie Bauer trim-line, similar to that of the Ford Explorer. The vehicle, like its predecessor, features three rows of seats with seating for seven, like many large SUVs.
The Taurus X used the Ford D3 platform and an updated powertrain, which included the discontinuation of the CVT transmission previously used by the Freestyle, as well as the 3.0 L V6 in favor of the newly developed six-speed 6F automatic as well as the all-new 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6. The vehicle also received new power options, including power-folded seats and a power lift gate.
The Taurus X featured what Ford describes as "command seating," seating with a higher H-point, to increase driver visibility and ease of entry and exit.
Ford has confirmed that the Taurus X has been discontinued after an abbreviated 2009 model year. The last day of production for the Taurus X was on February 27, 2009. It is to be officially replaced by the Ford Explorer, itself morphing into a crossover for 2010.
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