The EPA and Ford announced today that the 2013 Taurus 2.0-liter EcoBoost will be rated at 32 mpg on the highway, which is better than any of its 2012 model year direct rivals, and it's 1 mpg higher than the automaker anticipated. Ford hasn't priced the 2.0-liter engine for the 2013 Taurus yet, but the automaker has indicated that it will be marketed as a premium over the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that gained 25 horsepower and a few mpg for 2012. A 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 is included on the range-topping Taurus SHO.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost will be available on SE, SEL and Limited trim Taurus sedans, where it is rated at 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. of torque when run on premium fuel. Ford says that 87 octane fuel will be acceptable, but that the engine's peak output will be reduced to 231 horsepowe. Like other Taurus models, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
While that 32 mpg puts the Taurus at the top of its class right now, the 2014 Chevrolet Impala eAssist is expected to be rated at 35 mpg thanks to its mild hybrid system. However, the 2.0-liter Taurus goes on sale later this summer, while the Impala is still several months out.
