We just finished reading Ford’s press release on the Taurus SHO, and we must say it was a totally meta experience. It’s not often that the first sentence of what is usually a double-speak-laden multipage document describes a car by giving a nod to the nods that your very own publication gave it way back when, but there it was: “The Taurus SHO joins Ford’s growing lineup of performance vehicles for the 2010 model year, building on the legacy of the original, which earned a spot on the Car and Driver 10Best list four years running.” (Okay, technically we only called it out by name in 1989 and 1992, with the full Taurus/Sable line getting the trophy in 1990 and 1991, but who’s to argue with praise bestowed on praise?)
Making its debut at the 2009 Chicago auto show, the all-new factory sleeper sedan will soon be the most powerful (and most expensive at a base price of $37,995) sedan in Ford’s lineup. It borrows its name from the original 1989 Super High Output model, which used a high-strung, Yamaha-sourced V-6 (later models used a Yamaha V-8). Although the engine isn’t entirely bespoke to this most powerful of bulls, it is the most powerful version of Ford’s much-ballyhooed twin-turbo and direct-injected 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. With an extra 10 hp over the EcoBoost mills in the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS sedan and MKT crossover, the SHO packs a total of 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. (We’re not sure that that qualifies as super high output, but we’ll let it slide.)
Putting that power to the pavement will be the job of a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The transmission can behave as a normal automatic and also offers drivers the ability to enact rev-matched downshifts and to hold specific gears. Ratio changes can be summoned by a squeeze of either paddle for upshifts, with downshifts coming when the paddles are pushed forward. The suspension and steering also have been tweaked for this performance-oriented Taurus, with electronic power steering and new springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars.
An optional SHO Performance Package will offer a different calibration for the power steering, upgraded brake pads, a Sport mode for the stability-control system, and a 3.16:1 final-drive ratio in place of the standard 2.77:1 gearing. The package will also replace the standard 19-inch wheels with 20s wearing summer-performance tires.
Is that the New Taurus? Oh, Fo’ SHO.
Visual differentiation will be subtle, as it was with the original sleeper SHOs. The new car gets chrome-finished dual exhausts, a decklid spoiler, and a unique three-bar grille. A reinterpretation of the popular Deep Emerald Green offered on the 1991 SHO will be called Atlantis Green Metallic. Inside are leather seats, aluminum-trimmed pedals, aluminum trim, and plenty of SHO logos. Keyless start and Ford’s SYNC voice control system for the phone and stereo come standard. A reverse camera, radar cruise control, a blind-spot monitoring system, massaging seats, navigation, and an upgraded Sony sound system are options.
While the Taurus has grown significantly in the ten years since the SHO badge was last applied to the car, Ford’s flagship sedan promises to offer an added level of enjoyment to the updated-for-2010 Taurus. Do you think the mention of the 10Best award in Ford’s release means they want to be asked back next year? We’ll take a page from their ad campaign and ‘Drive One’ before making that decision.
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