ALMOST SIX years have pass- ed since the mid-size Ford Taurus sedan and station wagon were first introduced. Its innovative design and rather uausual styling have stcod the test of time quite well. Perhaps that’s the reason Ford ‘ decided not to tinker with the Friday, October au FKord Taurus The 1992 Taurus is available in three trim levels, L, GL, and LX, plus the high-perfermance SHO model. Compared with the current Taurus, the °92 mode! has a more Streamiined front end and nar- rower headlamps to improve aerodynamics, redesigned rear tail 46 Compared with the current Taurus, the '92 model has a more streamlined front end and narrower headlamps to improve aerodynamics, redesigned rear tail lamps that are higher to improve visibility, and a redesigned trunk lid with a lower liftover height for easier loading. 39 basic design for i992. Although the new model has a restyled inte- tior, some engineering refine- ments, and subtle changes to the exterior, its basic dimensions, powertrain options, and suspen- sion have not changed drastically. lamps that are higher to improve visibility, and a redesigned trunk lid with a lower liftover height for easier loading. The '92 Taurus is two inches longer overall which increased us- able trunk space. Although it Price as tested $20,288 Base price $18,588 Type 4-door, 5-passenger sedan transverse engine/front wheei drive Engine 3.0 litre V6, overhead sequential electronic fuel injection Horscpower 140 @ 4800 rin Torque 160 ft-lbs @ 3000 rpm Transmission 4-speed Layout valve, automatic doesn’t look like it, 85% of the exterior body panels have been reshaped. The most extensive changes are in the interior. The dash now flows in an uninterrupted line into the doors. The heater and air conditioning controls have been relocated high in the centre dash area where they’re easier to reach. The stereo is positioned lower in the dash but separate, additional controls for volume and station selection are located higher up allowing the driver to change sta- tions without taking his or her eyes off the road. The stereo itself has larger, easier-to-see buttons, and Ford is offering three new electronic sound systems with im- proved audio performance. For greater occupant protection in frontal collisions, a driver’s side airbag is now standard equipment on all Tauruses and a passenger- radials front multi-port kms, 38 mpg side airbag is avaitable as an op- tion. Subtle refinements to the interi- or include illuminated switches on the doors for better night-time visibility, a one-touch ‘‘express- down’’ driver’s side window, and an automatic volume-dimming control that turns the radio vol- ume down when it is turned off so it won't blast your eardrums when the car is turned on the next mor- ning. One smal! complaint. The optional CD player in the lower console displaces the puil-out cupholders and coin tray. The choice of powertrains re- mains the same as last year, but engines have been refined for bet- ter performance and less noise, vibration and harshness. The base engine is a 140-horsepower 3.0 litre V6 (the 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine is no longer available) mated to a four-speed, elec- Tires P205/70 R14 steel belted Curb weight 1420 kg/3131 Ibs Wheelbase 2692 mm/!06.0 in Length 4877 mm/192.0 in. Width 1808 mm/71.2 in. Height 1374 mm/54.1 in. Teunk space 507 1/17.9 cu. ft. Fuel economy City 11.8 1/100 kms/24 mpg, Hwy 7.4 1/100 Warranty 3 yrs/60,000 kms 4, 1991 —- North Shore News — 23 tronically-controlled, automatic transmission. See Taurus page 24