The current EV era is ripe with revered classic car designs and nameplates that are being reborn as battery-powered rides βΒ and the success of cars the Renault 5 proves it can be a winning formula. Today, Iβm suggesting another classic that deserves a modern electric update: the OG Ford Taurus.
It might seem old and dated now, but when the original Ford Taurus made its debut in 1985, it was so fresh, so different, so futuristic that it was included, almost unchanged, in Robocopβs sci-fi vision of a dystopian Detroit. Really.
Iβd buy that for a dollar
The aerodynamic design of the Ford Taurus wasnβt just futuristic, it was successful βΒ and, from 1992 through 1996, the OG Taurus was not just Fordβs best-selling car, but the best selling car in North America.
The sedan market is very different forty years on βΒ so different, in fact, that Ford doesnβt actually sell any sedans in North America. With the exception of the 2-door ICE Mustang, the Blue Oval brand doesnβt even sell any cars, and operates almost entirely as a truck and SUV brand.
Now, imagine Ford decides to get back into the sedan game. Itβs 2025 now, and the Tesla Model 3 has proven that thereβs enough demand for at least one successful electric sedan in the US. And, crucially, it seems like most of those buyers wonβt be trading their Tesla back in for another one.
If there was ever a time to do it, that time is now βΒ and Ford is perfectly positioned to fast-track a new-age Taurus.
The VW connection
Yes, I know thatβs a Volkswagen βΒ but hear me out. Ford and VW have a strong, existing relationship when it comes to EVs, having co-developed the MEB electric skateboard platform that underpins both the high-riding Ford Capri (itself a modern take on a classic Ford) and the Volkswagen ID.7 shown, above.
The ID.7 is an interesting piece, because it was always Volkswagenβs original intention to bring the car to the US, but slowing sedan demand and a dealer body that would rather sell Scout-branded SUVs and pickups than near/entry-luxe sedans killed the carβs chances before before the first one made it over. Now, itβs not coming to the US at all.
That might have been a mistake, since the the midsized ID.7 sedan is currently the best-selling EV in Germany, with sales continuing to accelerate throughout Europe in the wake of Teslaβs catastrophic, politically-fueled decline.
So, VW dealers donβt want a perfectly capable, Ford-developed, aerodynamic midsized sedan to sell in the US? No problem. Ramp up the BlueOval SK battery plant, set off a hiring frenzy at BlueOval City, start building an oval-badged ID.7-based Ford Taurus in the US, and slap a Tesla conquest rebate on the thing to help overcome Tesla buyerβs increasingly negative equity.
It even looks good in 90s Ford Taurus green.
Original content from Electrek; featured image by ChatGPT.
