First of all, it had a V4 engine (1,2 litre and 1,5 litre), secondly it was Fords first front wheel driven car. The car was originally planned to be produced and sold in USA as Ford Cardinal. But the market for small cars had declined, and the project was taken over by Ford in Cologne, Germany, where the name was changed to Taunus 12m. 

Another technical solution was that a fan was missing in the front of the engine because the fan of the heather blower was used instead. 

The car was fairly praised by the press. However, some negative remarks was given. These remarks disappeared to large extent in late 1964 when there was a major revision of the car. The most important change was that the car was given disc brakes and a completely new front suspension. 

Also speed loving customers could be satisfied by the TS version with more power and equipment than the standard models. 

The car was produced until 1966 when it was replaced by the Taunus 12m P6. 

Available models and technical data can be viewed by clicking here : DATA