The 2003 Ford Taurus, manufactured in the United States, offers a comfortable SEDAN 4-DR body style with seating for six people. This model showcases a blend of practicality and performance, making it a notable vehicle in its time.
2003 Ford Taurus
Engine and Performance
The heart of the 2003 Ford Taurus is its powerful 3.0L V6 OHV 12V engine. This engine delivers a balance of power and efficiency, suitable for both city and highway driving.
- Engine Type: 3.0L V6 OHV 12V
- Fuel Efficiency (City): 20 miles/gallon of gasoline
- Fuel Efficiency (Highway): 28 miles/gallon of gasoline
- Fuel Tank Size: 18.00 gallons
Dimensions and Steering
The 2003 Ford Taurus has specific dimensions that contribute to its comfortable ride and handling. The steering system is an environmentally compatible Rack and Pinion (R&P) type.
- Wheelbase: 108.50 inches
- Overall Width: 73.00 inches
- Length: 197.60 inches
- Height: 56.10 inches
- Turning Diameter: 39.70 inches
Pricing
In 2003, the Ford Taurus was priced competitively, making it an attractive option for many buyers.
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- Price (USD): $20,155
- Dealer Invoice Price (USD): $18,475
Historical Context and Redesign
Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company in 1902, and it was later incorporated on June 16, 1903. The fourth-generation Ford Taurus, produced from 2000 to 2007, marked the final iteration derived from the original 1986 model line.
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As a result, Ford designed the fourth generation Taurus with a more subdued, angular design, embracing Ford's New Edge styling in hopes of increasing the car's appeal. The front and rear clips were redesigned on the Taurus and Sable sedans; all body panels were brand-new except the doors. Station wagons received the new front clips but from the firewall back they were essentially the same as the 1996-1999 wagons.
The Taurus now had the turn signals integrated into the headlamps, similar to that of the previous generation Sable. The front bumper was also redesigned to include a larger front grille which, like the previous generation, contained a chrome bar running through the middle containing the Ford logo. The rear clip was redesigned with a larger trunk and trunklid, as well as giving the Taurus two large taillights as opposed to the rear lightbar used in the previous generation cars. Mounted on the trunklid was a large chrome bar containing the Ford logo, like in the front.
In 2003, for the 2004 model year, the front clip was slightly redesigned, and the Taurus got a new front bumper and grille. The grille was made smaller, with the chrome bar removed, replaced by just a large Ford logo in the center. The taillights were slightly redesigned, originally to include amber turn signals, but this was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
2003 Ford Taurus Interior
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As with the exterior, the interior was completely redesigned with a more conservative style, although some features from the previous cars were carried over. The dashboard had a more linear appearance, instead of curving around the driver. The "Integrated Control Panel" was carried over but enlarged, reshaped, and placed in the center of the dash instead of being tilted toward the driver. The Flip-Fold center console was also carried over but it was revamped as well.
This Taurus' interior was available in two configurations; a front bench seat with a column-mounted shifter and the Flip-Fold center console, or bucket seats with a traditional console and a floor-mounted shifter. The configuration for a steering column-mounted shifter and a center console, which made a brief return for 1999, had been dropped.
The interior also contained many new safety features; side airbags, tether straps, and a glow in the dark trunk release mounted inside of the trunk. This interior also contained a new system which Ford called the "Advanced Personal Safety System". This system, at the time of a collision, would detect the driver and passenger's positions as well as seatbelt usage, and would inflate the airbags to match, possibly preventing airbag-related injuries.
For 2004, the interior got a minor revision. This included a new steering wheel with a center airbag pad that was shaped like an upside-down taco and new gauges with a diagnostic center that would tell if there were any problems with the car, as well as average fuel economy, replacing the outdated analog odometer.
Trim Levels and Special Editions
The 2003 Ford Taurus offered various trim levels, each with unique features and options.
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- LX: The most basic model.
- SE: The mid-priced model.
- SES: Featured a "Sport" package with five-spoked rims, Duratec engine, sport badging, two-toned cloth seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
- SEL: The top-end model, receiving upgrades such as a new instrument cluster, wheels, woodgrain trim, and a redesigned dash.
Also in 2003, Ford created a Centennial Edition Taurus to celebrate Ford's 100th anniversary. This special Taurus included many extras, such as lighter wood trim, special leather seats, headlights with black accents, special wheels, a special leather case for the owner's manual, a leather jacket that said "Ford: 100 Years", a similar watch, and a letter from William Clay Ford, Jr.
Engine Options and Performance
The engines were carried over from the previous generation, with the Vulcan being the only available engine on the LX and SE, producing 155 horsepower (116 kW) and 185 lb⋅ft (251 N⋅m) of torque, and as the base engine on the SES. The Duratec engine was optional on the SES and standard on the SEL, producing 200 hp (149 kW). For 2005, with the LX and SES models being dropped, the Duratec was only available on the SEL, and in 2006 the Duratec was dropped altogether, with the Vulcan becoming the standard and only engine available on the SEL.
Decline and Discontinuation
This generation of Taurus saw a significant sales slump compared to its predecessors. By 2005, it was no longer in the top ten in sales. Production of the Taurus wagon was discontinued on December 8, 2004; sedan retail sales halted after a short 2006 model year, and the Taurus became sold exclusively to fleets in the United States, while still being sold to retail customers in Canada. Production ended on October 27, 2006, as Ford idled the Atlanta plant, as part of its "The Way Forward" restructuring plan.
The last Ford Taurus rolled off the assembly line around 7:00am, destined for delivery to S. Truett Cathy, owner of Chick-fil-A. Mr. Cathy's original restaurant was located across from the Ford Atlanta plant.