Compared to the Taurus, the Five Hundred is more than three inches longer, an inch and a half wider and four inches taller. It also rides on a wheelbase that is 4.5 inches longer, which not only gives the car its solid, luxury-car stance but enhances smooth ride quality.
The chief designer says it was a challenge to sculpt a Ford-styled body around a Volvo chassis, and adds that designers used what he calls "plainer surfaces with taut lines" to give the car a modern look without losing its passenger car proportions. The Five Hundred's rounded forms offer a definite alternative to the more upright, angular Chrysler 300.
The Five Hundred's face has large, jewel-styled and multi-bulb triangular headlight elements on either side of a wide, trapezoidal grille. Chrome accents the front edges of the bumper. There are similar chrome accents on the rear bumper and another that bisects the doors and provides a visual bridge between slightly flared wheel arches. Chrome also frames the side windows, which include large third windows that give the Five Hundred more of a luxury car profile.
The tall trunk lid has a spoiler-like lip along its top trailing edge. The rear of the car features large, multi-element and triangular shaped tail lamps and dual, down turned exhaust tips.
The SE and SEL ride on seven-spoke aluminum wheels and Continental tires while the Limited gets distinctive eight-spoke 18-inch wheels and Pirelli tires.
The Five Hundred is part of Ford's strategy to replace the old Taurus with more specialized vehicles that better fit the needs of individual buyers. Those who need even more space for people and cargo can opt for the Freestyle, a crossover wagon based on the Five Hundred. Those who want a smaller and less expensive vehicle will next year be able to get the Fusion, another mid-size sedan that's smaller than the Taurus."
