Ford announced it would name the redesigned Freestyle crossover Taurus X.
The "X" designation is reference to "crossover," and the Taurus name seems fitting given the close relationship between this vehicle and the Taurus/Five Hundred sedan.
"By giving these vehicles the names that consumers recognize at the same time we’re making significant upgrades, we’re confident that even more people are going to be attracted to these great products in the future,” said Ford's Mark Fields.
For the 2008 model year, the Taurus X gets Ford's signature three-bar chrome grille and restyled headlights, plus other minor exterior enhancements, including new taillight units.
At the heart of the 2008 Taurus X is Ford’s 3.5-liter Duratec 35 V-6 engine. It delivers an estimated 260 horsepower – an increase of nearly 30 percent over the previous engine. To manage the additional power and deliver sharper performance, the continuously variable transmission has been replaced with a six-speed-automatic gearbox that was developed in tandem with the Duratec 35. Even with the increase in power and torque, the 2008 Taurus X is expected to post real-world fuel economy numbers similar to the 2007 Freestyle, thanks to a more efficient powertrain and technologies like a fuel-saving electric power steering system.
Detail information will be released closer the vehicle’s on-sale date
