SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: All-new Ford Taurus revealed

Ford has released pictures and teased details for its seventh generation Taurus that it hopes will conquer China.

Revealed late last night at a special event ahead of the Shanghai motor show, the new Taurus takes design cues from the smaller Mondeo.

The Taurus is a large car measuring 5000mm long with a wheel base that stretches to 2950mm. This provides for generous second row legroom - crucial for success in the Chinese luxury car market.

For China the passengers gain electric reclining rear seats and can be optioned with an additional massage function. Rear seat passengers also get a separate control panel for air conditioning and have their own media system.

Brightening up the cabin is a full-length panoramic sunroof and, tailoring to Chinese tastes, the new Taurus also has specially designed cup holders that hold different-sized tea bottles.

Under the bonnet the Taurus is powered by a new 2.7-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol. Ford is yet to confirm power and torque figures for the new engine.

Sharing the same platform with the Mondeo, the new Taurus will be front-wheel drive with the option of all-wheel drive in some markets. Channelling the power to the road is an all-new nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Built at the new $980m Changan Ford Hangzhou Plant, Ford hopes to build 250,000 Taurus models a year for the Chinese market.

Despite a natural replacement for our Falcon, Ford Australia has consistently ruled out importing right-hand drive versions of the new Taurus or even Lincoln MKS.

Ford will reveal more information after the Taurus’ unveil on April 20.