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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 19, 2007 - 25 Ford brings back the Taurus name By Lorne Drury OAKVILLE BEAVER What's in a name? Lots, it seems, when it concerns the automotive world and the sales of new cars. For example, the Taurus was long considered the mainstay of the Ford fleet from the time it was first introduced in 1985. The very next year, in fact, it was named Motor Trend's Car of the Year and by 1992 it had become America's best-selling car for the fifth straight year. Then, in 2004, Ford brought out a new flagship sedan, the 2005 Five Hundred. A year later, the Taurus was dropped. Fast forward to 2007 and the Taurus name has suddenly re-emerged on Ford's 2008 full-size sedan as sluggish sales sent the Five Hundred name to a place in automotive history. Name recognition obviously means a lot in the car business or we wouldn't see old names resurrected as we so often do. However, a name change is not all that's new with Ford's full-size sedan for 2008. Ford boasts about more than 500 engineering changes on the new model, with the major one being a huge boost in horsepower thanks to a new 3.5L Duratec V6 that delivers 263 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of nearly 30 per cent over the previous engine. It's mated with the same six-speed transmission found in the Ford Edge, and you have a combination ready to take on the best sedans in its class. My recent tester was a top-of-the-line Taurus Limited, featuring all-wheel drive. Options included a power moonroof, navigation system and 18-inch seven-spoke chrome wheels. All in, it priced out at $45,129. However, a Taurus in SEL trim starts at a shade under the $31K mark. While full-size sedans are not normally my cup of tea, I am in the demographic that traditionally would have gravitated to a car like this. Being in the 50-something age group, we `mature' drivers often favour comfort over handling and sportiness unless we're entering that mid-life crisis stage and HAVE to own just one more sports car before we're done here on earth. So if you fit in that first category and only remember the full-size cars your parents used to drive, things have changed, and quite dramatically. The Taurus is evidence of the evolution of the family sedan. First off, it still has the roominess and quietness we associate with big sedans. But, what is surprising is the improved handling and performance, combined with decent fuel economy. In fact, Ford claims the Taurus has a 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy despite a boost of 60 horsepower over last year's car. Styling wise, the Taurus has a `Ford family' look with a new signature three-bar chrome grille like the popular mid-size Fusion sedan. Other exterior changes include a sculpted hood with crisp accent lines and a new front fascia along with new taillamps, rear fascia, chrome side vents and door handles. Continued on Page 26 2007 XL7 $ WINNER Motoring TV Best New Large SUV 379 1.8 0 LEASE FROM FOR 60 MONTHS ** % FINANCING %*** PER MONTH DOWN PAYMENT $2,365 MSRP $30,995* FOR 48 MONTHS XL7.ca Available AWD / 3.6 litre, V6 engine / Front and side curtain airbags / Seating for seven / Climate control A/C / ESP with traction control / ABS with EBD / 5-speed automatic Cruise control / Power steering, windows, mirrors and door locks / Remote keyless entry / Tire Pressure Monitoring System / Engine immobilizer / AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs / Fuel economy: City --12.9 L/100 km (22 mpg); Hwy --9.0 L/100 km (31 mpg) 2007 SWIFT+ $ 179 0 1.8 0 ** $ % %*** PER MONTH MSRP $13,895* FOR 60 MONTHS AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with 4 speakers / 1.6 litre, 4 cylinder engine / Seating for five / Tachometer / Digital clock / Tilt steering / Power steering / Rear window wiper and washer Rear window defroster / Dual front and side airbags / Split-folding rear seatbacks / Engine block heater / Child-proof rear door locks Fuel economy: City -- 8.9 L/100 km (32 mpg); Hwy -- 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) 2007 GRAND VITARA SEPTEMBER SERVICE SPECIAL Only OIL & FILTER Up to 5 Litres of Motocraft Engine Oil & Filter. Plus Multi-point Inspection $ Includes most cars and light trucks Environmental Fee & Taxes Extra. Offer Expires Sept 29, 2007 27 95 With this coupon. With this coupon. $ WINNER Consumer Guide Automotive "Best Buy" Award for Compact SUV 299 2.7 0 LEASE FROM LEASE RATE FOR 60 MONTHS ** % PURCHASE FINANCING %*** PER MONTH DOWN PAYMENT $3,945 MSRP $25,495* FOR 48 MONTHS Standard 4WD / 2.7 litre, V6 engine / ABS with EBD / 6 standard airbags / Climate control A/C / ESP with traction control / AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA player with 4 speakers Information display (clock, outside temperature, fuel consumption & range) / Remote keyless entry / Power steering, windows, mirrors and door locks / Towing capacity: 3,000 lbs Fuel economy: City --13.0 L/100 km (22 mpg); Hwy --9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg) · Up to 5 litres of Motorcraft engine oil & filter · Inspect, inflate and ROTATE TIRES · Lubrication of chassis/hinges and doors MAINTENANCE $ SERVICE PACKAGE FOR ONL Y · Test battery's performance · Multipoint inspection and report on findings OFFER EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 37 $ 95 MOST CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. Environmental Fee & Tax Not Included CONSUMERS SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING: Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. *MSRP for the 2007 XL7 with automatic transmission (model 6E1D8A7) / 2007 Swift+ with manual transmission (model H5MS5A7) / the 2007 Grand Vitara with manual transmission (model LLN81S7). Destination and Delivery ($1,395 / $1,195 / $1,395) not included in MSRP. Registration fee, license, insurance, administration fees and applicable taxes are not included. **Limited time offer to qualified retail customers on approved credit (O.A.C.) available through FinanciaLinx to lease a new 2007 XL7 with automatic transmission (model 6E1D8A7) / 2007 Swift+ with manual transmission (model H5MS5A7) / 2007 Grand Vitara with manual transmission (model LLN81S7) for 60 months. Total lease obligation of $25,101.44 / 10,740.08 / $21,881.31$ including down payment of $2,365 / $0 / $3,945, or equivalent trade-in, with 100,000 km total mileage allowance ($0.10/km for excess mileage).$0 security deposit. First month's lease payment is required at lease inception. Lease payments include Destination and Delivery ($1,395 / $1,195 / $1,395). This offer does not include license, insurance, acquisition fees of $350, administration fees, PPSA of $60 + taxes and any applicable taxes which are due at lease inception ***0% purchase financing is available for 48 months on 2007 XL7 and 2007 Grand Vitara and on 60 months for 2007 Swift+. Finance example: $10,000 at 0% APR for a 60 / 48 month term; the monthly payment is $181.66 / $208.33; cost of borrowing is $0; total obligation is $10,000. Down payment may be required. ****These offers cannot be combined with any other offer except for the Suzuki Graduate Program. With the Suzuki Graduate Program, recent university or college graduates may be eligible for an allowance on the purchase or lease of certain models. Fuel economy based on Transport Canada ratings. ESP is a registered trademark of Daimler-Chrysler AG. Dealers may lease or sell for less. See participating dealers for details. GET TERRACE FORD DRIVE ABILITY CHECKAOUT AND REPORT CONCERNS? · Vehicle Hesitation or Stalling Shop around · Poor Gas Mileage With this coupon. and compare · "Check Engine" Light on Special with coupon most Ford cars and Ford light trucks. Taxes extra. Offer expires Sept 29, 2007 47 95 BRING IN THIS COUPON FOR A FREE BRAKE INSPECTION Sept 29, 2007 SHOP & COMPARE! Labour rates. Maintenance at $72.00 Mechanical, Electrical at $89.00 Driveability, Diesel at $92.00 Offer expires Suzuki of Oakville 2219 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, ON L6L 5L7 905-469-2429 Toll Free 1-866-229-3897 Fax 905-469-4562 FOR MORE INFO OR TO FIND THE DEALER NEAREST YOU, VISIT COMPLIMENTARY CAR WASH with all Maintenance Service. Includes most cars and light trucks FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE 905-632-5671 900 WALKER`S LINE AT HARVESTER RD. HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30AM - 6:00PM SATURDAY 8:00AM - 4:00PM Q.E.W. WALKERS terrace HARVESTER SUZUKI.ca