2008 Ford Taurus X
Ford's latest bold move its version of the rename game, what was Five Hundred is now Taurus and the vehicle formerly known as Freestyle is now Taurus X. The 2008 Ford Taurus, set to hit showrooms this summer, was essentially introduced at the 2007 Detroit show as the refreshed Five Hundred, with a Fusion-like three bar grille, a more powerful V-6 and an upgraded six-speed automatic transmission. The Taurus' new 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 is expected to deliver more than 260 horsepower, (60 more horsepower, a 30 percent increase over the 3.0-liter V-6) and the six-speed automatic transmission delivers up to a seven percent increase in fuel economy over a conventional four-speed auto, Ford says. Five Hundred, er, Taurus, also has a smorgasbord of new and updated safety features. The three row 2008 Taurus X crossover will hit showrooms in late summer with the same powertrain as the Taurus as well as safety upgrades, one-touch flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate.