The 2008 Ford Taurus X is a renamed, restyled version of the company's Freestyle SUV, and the company debuted it at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Ford changed the name to reflect the fact that the Taurus moniker continues to have strong recognition among consumers, even though the last Taurus rolled off the assembly line in 2006. Taurus X will continue to share its basic design with the "new" 2008 Taurus (formerly Five Hundred) sedan. Front-end styling is consistent with Taurus, employing Ford's three-bar chrome grille.

Taurus X will continue to offer five- or seven-passenger seating. Power will come from the 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that's debuted in the Edge crossover SUV. The sole transmission will be a  six-speed automatic. Interior appointments remain largely unchanged  from previous versions, though newly available are a voice-activated navigation system and power-folding third-row seat. Also available is Ford's new Sync multimedia that allows occupants to connect their cell phones and digital music players via a single dashboard interface.

While the Atlanta assembly plant that built the original Taurus is closed, the 2008 versions will be built at Ford's Chicago facility. Officials didn't announce pricing, but they said the Taurus and Taurus X will be arriving in showrooms this summer.

2008 Ford Taurus X
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Ford revived a name from the past when it unveiled the 2008 Mercury Sable at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Sable is actually a freshened version of the Mercury Montego sedan, which was introduced in 2005. It will continue to share its basic design with the Ford Taurus. Taurus is what Ford renamed its Five Hundred sedan. Like Taurus, Sable will be built at Ford's Chicago assembly plant.

The 2008 Sable has a restyled front end with a vertical grille and large Mercury emblem, signaling the division's future design direction. The biggest news for Mercury's big sedan is a larger engine with more power. A 3.5-liter, 260-horsepower V6 engine replaces the previous models' 3.0-liter, 203-horsepower unit. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models will continue to be offered.

The interior gets some new trim bits to make it appear more upmarket of the Taurus. Ebony wood and carbon fiber accents will be available. The instrumentation gets some minor revisions as well. Ford officials didn't announce pricing, but they said the 2008 Sable will reach showrooms this summer.

2008 Mercury Sable
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