The Ford Taurus may have been killed off in the U.S. a few years ago but the nameplate still exists in the Middle East and now adorns an all-new model.
Ford’s new Taurus to be sold in the Middle East is essentially a rebadged version of the all-new Mondeo currently available in China. As such, the new Taurus adopts the same striking design as the 2023 Mondeo and has the same underpinnings.
Found at the front of the new sedan are a pair of sharp LED daytime running lights sitting directly above the main headlamps and a pronounced black grille. The rear of the new Taurus is also quite interesting and sports LED taillights as well as an LED light bar. A large ‘Taurus’ badge is featured on the trunklid and silver accents on the rear bumper also make a bold statement.
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The cabin of the new Taurus looks like a pleasant place to sit and includes an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment screen. There is also a wireless charging pad, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a two-tone dashboard.
While Ford has yet to release all local specifications for the 2023 Taurus, it has confirmed that it will be sold exclusively with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The outgoing Taurus has proven to be exceptionally popular in the Middle East over recent years. In fact, sales have soared in the UAE by 527 per cent year-on-year, while also jumping by 73 per cent in Saudi Arabia, 125 per cent in Kuwait, 63 per cent in Oman, and 42 per cent in Bahrain. To get the new Taurus ready for the Middle East, Ford has been testing it in the region’s very trying climate.
“It’s crucial to the comfort of our customers, and the integrity of the all-new Taurus, that we test in such extreme climates,” product development general manager of Ford International Markets Group, Ziyad Dallalah, said. “Dust and sand can play havoc on engine internals and suspension components by accelerating wear on moving parts. Add that to the searing heat, and you are faced with a vehicle that has to work much harder than it might have to in more favourable conditions. Our testing ensures Taurus’ engine, transmission, driveline- and cooling systems can handle the demands of the region.”
