Taurus roars back

The Ford Taurus never appealed in New Zealand but the latest model boasts incomparable safety technology, says the carmaker. ALASTAIR SLOANE reports.

The American-built Ford Taurus turned out to be a sales flop in New Zealand.

It came with every conceivable gadget, had up-to-date safety devices, a raunchy V6 motor, pleasant interior, it drove and rode well ... but as cars go it was arguably as ugly as Paddy's pig.

The Australians thought so too, even though it had been designed by one of their own, a fellow called John Doughty.

Ford Australia dropped it about the middle of last year, about the same time as Ford New Zealand.

Both countries told Ford's head office in Detroit that the Taurus might cut it in America, where the definition of good design differs from the rest of the world, but that its revolutionary look irritated Anzac eyes used to evolutionary Holdens and Falcons.

The most disparaging comment came from a lecturer in design, who said that "parked, especially from the front, the Taurus looks reptilian, like it was about to shed its tyres, grow legs and scurry around the carpark."

The front-drive Taurus was launched in New Zealand in 1996. The one and only sedan model was a tad too expensive at $50,995, especially up against the Falcon range it was meant to compliment.

But in the 18 months before it was discontinued it sold 404 units, mostly to males around 50 years of age who had a history of Ford ownership and who wanted a car slightly bigger than the Falcon, which the Taurus was.

Buyers who haven't such a history might be tempted by the replacement model, called the 2000 Taurus.

But the previous model's lacklustre record in Australia and New Zealand will probably put the kybosh on Ford bringing in the update.

Indeed, Ford New Zealand's corporate affairs executive, Lisa Franklin, said its appearance was most unlikely.

The more subdued, mainstream looking 2000 Taurus was unveiled at the New York Auto Show last week.

Ford made much of the launch, not least because the 2000 Taurus is the first Ford to come equipped with what it calls its Advanced Restraints System (ARS).

Ford says the system is the smartest in the business and will find its way into cars and trucks later this year. Essentially, ARS is similar in operation to those used by some rival carmakers.

ARS consists of computerised components which swing into split-second action in an accident.

Said Ford: "The components work together to help front-seat occupants receive significantly enhanced protection during frontal crashes, taking into account eating positions, safety-belt use and accident severity."

The system uses sensors to measure crash forces, the seating position of driver and passenger and their respective weights, and how much of the seatbelt is being used so that pre-tensioners can be regulated. Dual-stage inflating airbags - which "cushion" occupants better - complete the picture.

"Ford is the first automaker in the world to announce a safety commitment this far-reaching," said Neil Ressler, the carmaker's chief boffin.

"We are moving beyond mechanical devices for occupant safety and are now adding to the mix a fully integrated, computer-driven system that "thinks" about and responds to different conditions. This truly marks an evolution in occupant protection."