[Spktyr]

Also, looking at the other cars in the class (bigger-than-Camry sized), almost everyone else has an optional V8, rear wheel drive, a manual transmission, all-wheel drive or some combination of the above for the same price as the FWD/AWD V6-only Taurus.

The Taurus cannot win against the Chrysler 300 or the Pontiac G8.

[2ndDivisionVet]

When the Hyundai Genesis near-luxury model gets here, even Lexus, Infiniti, BMW and Mercedes will lose market share:
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/availablesoon/Genesis_Coupe.aspx

[Cobra64]

...almost everyone else has an optional V8, rear wheel drive, a manual transmission, all-wheel drive or some combination of the above for the same price as the FWD/AWD V6-only Taurus.

I have not, and will never buy a front wheel drive car. They handle like crap.