1996 Ford Taurus

They won't go on sale until this fall, but here's the first offical close-up look at FoMoCo's all-new DN101 platformmates, better known as the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. Unlike the last "all-new" versions of these cars, which arrived for the '92 model year, no one can dispute that the '96s differ markedly from the current versions. Highly aerodynamic, both are lower and slightly longer than the '95s. Front and rear fascia treatments are unique; however, the two share most of the glass and exterior body panels.

Structural integrity is enhanced by a new "Safety Cell" design. This provides a steel beam across the front of the passenger compartment and additional reinforcing beams in the door and roof areas to better dissipate impact energy and protect the passenger compartment against intrusions.

Along with standard dual front airbags, the center rear passenger seat in both cars will be equipped with a harness-style safety belt that goes over both shoulders. Revised seats feature an "anti-submarining" design to reduce the chances of a passenger sliding forward and under the restraint during an emergency stop. Anti-lock brakes will be standard on all Sables and the Taurus LX, but will remain optional on the Taurus GL.

Two different engines will power the base and uplevel cars, with a third to be used exclusively in the Taurus SHO. The Taurus GL and Sable GS will use a revised version of the existing 3.0-liter Vulcan V-6. Although expected to produced about the same 140 horses as the current iteration, it will receive a new electronic management package for improved smoothness and increased efficiency. The standard engine in the Taurus LX and Sable LS will be the 3.0-liter 24-valve DOHC Duratec V-6, which is also likely to produce about the same 170 horses as it now does in the new Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique. The previous uplevel 3.8-liter V-6 gets dropped from the lineup. The Taurus SHO is reportedly in line for an underhood booster shot in the form of a new Yamaha-developed 3.4-liter twin-cam V-8 that produces about 250 horsepower and will replace both of the current SHO engines (the 220-horse 3.0-liter and the 3.2-liter V-6).

First Take:All-New '96 ChryslerTown & Country MinivanChrysler's full line of all-new NS minivans will debut at this month's North American International Auto Show. The Chrysler Town & Country, seen here, and similar Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager versions, will soon arrive in dealerships as early '96 models.

Stylistically, the new bodywork reflects a cross between the Ford Windstar, the Toyota Previa, and the current Chrysler minivan, but in a slightly larger scale. The standard wheelbase grows by 8.2 inches, the stretch version by 1.0 inch. Other key dimensional increases: Width is up 5.4 inches, height by 2.5 inches, and front/rear track by 3.1/1.9 inches. For easier maneuvering, the turning circle is reduced a full 3 feet. Shoulder and hip room are significantly improved, gaining 5 inches and 4 inches, respectively. Step-in height is reduced 1.4 inches. ChryCo claims maximum passenger volume has been increased by 15 cubic feet-and max cargo volume is up an amazing 30.6 cubic feet.

Boosting versatility, the NS people movers will finally offer a second sliding door on the left side. The impressive new interior further blurs the already indistinct line between passenger car and minivan. New equipment (some standard, some optional) includes dual front climate controls with mid-cabin door ducts for airflow to intermediate seats in all system modes, more interior storage, improved cupholders, shoulder-belt height adjusters for the second-row seat, reclining seats in all positions, and increased driver and passenger visibility. Chrysler claims segment exclusives with its first use of a windshield wiper de-icer system and 16-inch wheel/tire combinations.