Ford is introducing two new interior packages for the 2003 Ford Taurus, including the Woodgrain package with real wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel and faux wood shift knob accent. The optional Sport sedan package will feature five-spoke 16-inch aluminum sport wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, two-tone cloth sport seats, rear deck lid spoiler, and a pewter-brush finish on the instrument panel and console.

New design features and options for the 2003 Taurus include:

• Richer-looking seat fabrics, available in midnight black, two-tone parchment, and two-tone graphite cloth.

• New available seat leathers, including Imola leather which is available in monochromatic midnight black, two-tone parchment, or two-tone graphite.

  Also, a monochromatic midnight graphite interior is now offered. The available two-tone parchment interior now uses lighter shades to make the cabin feel brighter and airier; on some models, the instrument clusters are color-keyed to the interior.

  Ford says the interior upgrades complement the functional upgrades and manufacturing process improvements that make the car quieter and more refined.

  
  

• Overall noise levels in the cabin are substantially reduced because of improved cabin sealing against wind and road noise.

• A 30 percent power increase for the rear defroster results in faster clearing of snow, condensation, and ice.

• New front brake pad materials help reduce noise. Also, new equipment at the two plants that build Taurus helps improve brake pedal feel by ensuring consistent evacuation and fill of the brake system during assembly.