Wow, I actually like it! I haven't said that about a Ford in a long time.

Assumings its priced about the same as the current Taurus, that would be one slick looking car for $23k.

The question is whether it will still look nearly as good with plastic wheel covers and most of the chrome gone, as will no doubt be the case on the base models.

Damn..... I think the Malibu has been overthrown in the "Best Looking Mid-sized Car" category.

If the car looks that good in person, it'll prove that Honda and Toyota have totally lost the plot, design wise.

@OldeEnglishD: I thought the last one (Taurus/500) was not bad in a solid family-sedan kinda way. But yeah, this is actually kinda hot.

They dumped the Jaguar line fast enough so they could crib some of the design elements and not have to worry about competing against themselves.

I'm not in the market for this particular vehicle, but who wouldn't like to see this in a wagon? Anybody? Go on, raise your hands. It'll be easier to pick out the ones we need to shoot.

Looks good in the shaky pic, but I think the actual execution will come off more like a current Camry. Doubly so if it sees widespread acceptance.

Also, doesn't it seem to be sitting very high off the ground? Maybe it just has black lower valances.

Re: Malibu--I don't know if anyone can beat that design at the moment for the midsize non-luxury segment. Just personal preference, though.

So does this mean Wert has to give up his 'long term test' Town Car?

Sonata Fordtini, shaken, not stirred.

Damn now everybody's gonna copy the Hyundai Sonata before Ford gets theirs to market.

I see a resemblance with the Camry.

Needs more Dave.

that's much better than that god awful one from yesterday

That would have been a really good story about Edmunds had this been a car worth all the trouble.

@EDogII: I'm confused - that's the same image...

I wonder if it comes w/ the 5% tint...

Back to slating Ford again,shocking!

@lascauxcaveman: Me! Pick me! (says the wagon lovin' teacher's pet)...
And while we're at it, wagon Malibu would not hurt either.

I'd buy a Taurus wagon or a Malibu wagon. They'd better hurry, though, I've got VW and Subie knocking on my door with great diesel offerings...

Ford: again, dump the fender vents. They make you look fat.

That's...a really good looking car.

@Bumblebee: The Taurus is kind of like rice.

"NEW KIND OF RICE COMING OUT SOON" is significant not because rice is super interesting, but because it's a staple.

If Ford can't successfully sell a Taurus, they'll also never sell the Focus RS, Mustang, or any other car of theirs that is more in line with Jalopnik's proclivities.

It's got a lot of Mondeo cues. Is it a left hand drive Mondeo? Can I have an ST220?

That's, uh, actually pretty nice-looking.

Now if they'd come out with a good SHO with all-wheel-drive and a nice little high-revving V8 or twin-turbo V6...

Or, better yet, make me an AWD high-po version with a Lincoln or Mercury styling treatment, I would buy that tomorrow. Personally, I just don't want the blue-oval badge.

Unless it's an Interceptor. Anyone heard any word on when that thing comes to market?

It looks great. I mean it's a Taurus, boring fwd sedan. So this is perfect.

@Lotucris:

If you order the special "rolling clay model" option. I wouldn't recommend it due to interior space.

Oh, and I guess this means Jalop stories won't be linked to by Ford's internal page anymore?

@rlj676: Funny, I was just about to comment that I'd guess this is a solid block with production surfaces applied.

The clay model in the background with the same wheels suggests it.

I'm sure you know better than the rest of us, though.

Bravo, btw. Good looking machine.

Sorry we don't do spy photos Jalop!

@Mad_Science:

I'm not confirming nor denying this is the new Taurus.

But, I've seen the new Taurus, and it's nice, real nice. Interior especially.

There are also electric powered clay models that are drivable, but I don't think they would have super limo tint all around.

Dear Ford,

Seriously, gimmie.

+ Watch video

Signed,

No, really. Gimmie.

Edmunds has always held no status with me as a significant anything in cars.

@ash78:

Bear in mind that while the Malibu is a midsize, the current Taurus is actually a full-size car, and the new one will continue with those dimensions.

The Fusion is Ford's increasingly ineffective Malibu-fighter.

Wow something being designed by modern-day Ford that doesn't look like ass? Looks like there is hope!

Ford designers, if your reading I'm liking the hood cowl-induction scoopage, but the bodyline around the bottom of the windshield looks a bit tall.

HYUNDAI ELANTRA anyone?
(is the spelling right?)

Like I said, it looks like an American Ford Mondeo, which is a very good thing.

I'm also glad to see the crappy 3-bar grille nonsense is gone too.

@piththeelder: ahhh thats the name of it.
I new it was a some sort of a Hyundai

I revise my last statement, put that bastard into production!

Hey it's a Camry!

I wonder if Toyota knows that Ford Taurus almost rhymes with Clitoris?

@ranwhenparked:

Refreshed Fusion is coming, as the current one is the oldes model in it's class right now, and still doing "ok" actually.

@Pope Dearthair the Awesometh:

GTDI MKS is what you're looking for, out in 2009.

AWD, 360+ HP, livable fuel economy.

@FThorn: I like you FThorn

That looks about a billion times better than the current Taurus. I like it.

@POLAЯ:

You are so on to something. The Taurus with Center Line Injection. Or the CLI-Taurus, if you will.

@ash78: The Malibu is awesome right up to the point where you look at the rear end, then not so much........

Like much of the Ford prototypes of the past, it will never look like this once it hits production.

Not bad...I'd say it's at least on equal footing with the 'Bu.

There are some Camry-esque lines in there, but compare the cars side by side and the Toyota is outclassed. This Ford is nice! Of course, the Camry is a real, reliable car, and this is just a figment of somebody's shaky cell phone camera. But there's hope!

When the Ford 500 came out the fan boys shouted, who cares if it looks dull. So does a Camry/Accord! People will love it!

But you don't get people's interest by being subtle, especially when the previous gen is so boring. Ford needs to generate the same excitement as Chrysler did with the 300 not too long ago. Even the previous Altima got people's attention. This Taurus looks nice and clean, like a larger Hyundai Sonata. And it will stand out and do just as well in the marketplace as its predecessor.

Finally we get the new Mondeo!!! YAY! Now if we only could get the D5 motors from Volvo over here and the european Focus ST (T5) alongside our crappy focus as a special same-name-different-car-a'la toyota camry-solara then we'd be set for total Ford success!!!

Toss it in the kiln and get it on the dealer lots!

I'll send Matt Hardigree by to pick it up in a couple weeks.

This looks like what will be making the rounds on the car show circuit, not what will be in the showroom. Once its dumbed down, it'll be a much more middle of the road offering. The only hope is that the eco-boost engines offer as much grunt as Ford is promising.

What This Means To You: We at Inside Line may be late to the game, but we're bucking the rules like a GT-R doing 130 in the desert. What are you gonna do about it Mullally? Yeah, back off, we're Edmunds. We're like the Wayne Brady of this car reviewing s**t.

...Yeah, we just censored ourselves.

@JimBobJoeBobJim: China's going to copy it and call it the
"Happy Button Injection - Torass"

@TriShield:
insert comment about being chased by a BIC disposable here.

@ash78:

Come on take this wagon from me,
It's a new model from Fo-oo-oord
It's kinda shaky, hard to see-ee-ee
Feel like knocking on Ash's door

Knock Knock Knocing on Ash's doo-oo-oor
Ay!
Ay Ay Ay-y!

(Knock Knock Knocing on Ash's doo-oo-oor)