2006 "Futura" To ReplaceTaurus

Ford announced its intention to replace the Taurus midsize sedan with the Futura, a new four-door due in 2005. The Futura, says Ford, will borrow its style from the 427 concept vehicle Ford showed on the auto show circuit last year.

The Futura borrows most of its mechanicals, including its front-drive chassis and four- and six-cylinder engines from the Mazda 6 sedan. The Futura will be slotted beneath Ford's upcoming Five Hundred sedan in both size and price. The Futura also will be introduced in a hybrid version, Ford promised at last week's New York Auto Show. The Taurus was once the company's best-selling car, but a badly received redesign in 1996 cost it customers to Honda's Accord and Toyota's Camry.

CLICK4 427 CONCEPT REVEAL AT 2003 DETROIT AUTO SHOW