11
May 2011
esourcebook.dealerconnection.com
RE&T: 2012 Source Book
Ta
urus
Taurus
Performance/Handling
2012
Chassis
Independent MacPherson Strut
Front Suspension
Ride and Handling
• Front struts feature a coil-over-shock design with
L-shaped lower control arm
• Each wheel reacts to road irregularities with no
effect on the opposite wheel
• Coil-over-shock design locates the shock absorber
in the center of the coil spring, which reduces
offset and allows the spring and shock to move in
precision. This also limits twisting or lateral forces
that could bind the shock and cause a harsher ride
• Use of high-strength steel combined with coil-over-
shock design allows the use of lightweight springs
• Suspension bushings are tuned independently for
responsive steering and a smooth ride
• Large bushing at the top of each strut mount
helps resist vertical movements from uneven road
surfaces and resists side deflection to deliver crisp
steering feel
• Hydrobushing at the rear of the L-shaped lower
control arm uses oil-filled internal chambers to
dampen road forces from passenger compartment
• Outboard-mounted front stabilizer bar provides
precise roll control and steering response
Compact Design
• Front struts feature a coil-over-shock design
that’s more compact than double-wishbone
front suspensions
• Allows the maximum amount of room in front of the
suspension to help improve crash performance
• Provides more room in the engine compartment for
powertrain components
Independent Multilink Rear Suspension
• Multilink design is built on a stout, fully isolated
boxed subframe
• Shock absorbers are mounted as far outboard
as possible — allowing chassis engineers to tune
them to handle higher road impacts and deliver an
excellent balance of ride and handling
• Independent suspension design lets each wheel
react to road irregularities with no effect on the
opposite wheel
• During heavy braking, the suspension causes slight
toe-in — which is how much the front part of two
opposite wheels point toward the center of the
vehicle — to help enhance steering stability
• Strong foundation allows chassis engineers to better
tune the suspension components for excellent ride
and handling characteristics
