Ford Five Hundred (D258). 2005–7 (prod. unknown). 4-door sedan. F/F, F/A, 2967 cm³ (V6 DOHC). Volvo S80 (P23) platform with XC90 drivetrain and a minivan-like high seating position were clever ideas for Ford’s full-size car for 2005, but the result was ungainly and the name even more daft. Taurus’s goodwill ignored while someone at Dearborn thought that naming every American Ford model with the letter F could be fun—the strategy backfired and Five Hundred was renamed Taurus for the 2008 model year (with the exception of Middle Eastern exports). Aside from marketing blunders, Five Hundred suffered from lack of power, with a single three-litre V6 engine—full-sized buyers expected more and went to Chrysler’s 300 and a refreshed Chevrolet Impala. Intended to replace Ford Crown Victoria; with Five Hundred’s less than forecast sales, that never happened. Twinned with Mercury Montego.

Manufacturing location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Marque: Ford | Successor: Ford Taurus Mk V