Motor Authority - blog Tag: SHO

General Motors has recently nabbed a bit of the limelight with its Lutz-inspired "May the Best Car Win" campaign, complete with a challenge to best his time around Laguna Seca in a CTS-V. But GM isn't the only American car manufacturer that's looking to take on the competition in a head-to-head battle.

Ford's 2010 Taurus SHO, powered by the new EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, is the Blue Oval's secret weapon. It's using the car to find favorable comparisons all across the spectrum, particularly in the luxury and performance arena.

Take the 2010 Audi A6 4.2 FSI for example. Powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 engine, the German luxury sedan...

General Motors has recently nabbed a bit of the limelight with its Lutz-inspired "May the Best Car Win" campaign, complete with a challenge to best his time around Laguna Seca in a CTS-V. But GM isn't the only American car manufacturer that's looking to take on the competition in a head-to-head battle. Ford's 2010 Taurus SHO, powered by the new EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, is the Blue Oval's secret weapon. It's using the car to find favorable comparisons all across the spectrum, particularly in the luxury and performance arena. Take the 2010 Audi A6 4.2 FSI for example. Powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 engine, the German luxury sedan has a 0.7-liter advantage in displacement over the SHO's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, plus an additional pair of cylinders, though it's rated at 350 horsepower--15 horsepower short of the SHO. More power and the low-end torque provided by twin turbocharging is why the Audi can't overcome the SHO's straight-line accelerative powers, as Ford points out to great effect in the video below. But Ford doesn't stop there, noting as its closing line in the video that the $37,995 base-price Taurus SHO is $20,000 cheaper than the V-8 Audi A6, which starts at $60,950. While there's an undeniable price gap, it's worth looking a little closer at the similarities and differences between the two to see if there's really a value gap. Both the SHO and the A6 have all-wheel drive, though the Audi quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system is likely to be rated a bit higher on the driving dynamics scale for most drivers. Likewise, while the 2010 Taurus SHO is a very nice sedan, it's not a luxury car, and this shows through in the features department, though Ford's SYNC system does an admirable job of hanging with Audi's MMI nav/entertainment suite. Overall cabin quality is likely to come out in favor the Audi as well. TheCarConnection's full reviews indicate mixed findings on the comfort of the front seats, while the back seat gets even less praise, despite adjectives like "classy" and "premium" being tossed about with regard to the interior materials and styling. Audi's interiors, on the other hand, are frequently praised as some of the best in the business for comfort, quality and design. Still, it's impressive that a comparison between the Audi and the Ford can even be carried on with a straight face, let alone approximately analogous feature sets in at least some areas. It's no surprise that the Taurus comes up short on an apples-to-apples comparison--it's giving up $20,000 in build price, after all--but it's impressive to see how much value can be packed into the 2010 SHO for less than $45,000. For the full low-down on the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, including all its foibles and successes, read the full review at TheCarConnection. Read More

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO launch event is currently underway, and driving impressions are still under wraps for a few days yet but Ford has seen fit to let our eyes feast on a new set of high-res photos of the forced-induction family sedan with a mean streak.

The AWD, twin-turbo 365hp EcoBoost V6 Taurus SHO is set to return to the American market with a vengeance. Few cars can offer the feature set or performance that the big American sedan promises while maintaining a $45,175 price point.

Despite Ford's mass-market positioning Lincoln, Mercury and even the Germans may get their toes stepped on by this sharp-looking, hard-driving special.... The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO launch event is currently underway, and driving impressions are still under wraps for a few days yet but Ford has seen fit to let our eyes feast on a new set of high-res photos of the forced-induction family sedan with a mean streak. The AWD, twin-turbo 365hp EcoBoost V6 Taurus SHO is set to return to the American market with a vengeance. Few cars can offer the feature set or performance that the big American sedan promises while maintaining a $45,175 price point. Despite Ford's mass-market positioning Lincoln, Mercury and even the Germans may get their toes stepped on by this sharp-looking, hard-driving special. But we won't know for sure if it lives up to its spec sheet for a few days yet. In the mean time, enjoy the photos, and try your hand at building your own on Ford's configurator site.2010 Ford Taurus SHO Read More

Twin-turbos, 365hp - stock - aggressive looks and...four doors? A Blue Oval on the grille? The Ford Taurus SHO is a legendary nameplate with a promising new face for the 2010 model year, and the tuners at Hennessey Performance have taken notice.

Not much about the planned modifications are yet known, but before 2009 is over the Hennessey gang will have upgrades for the SHO ready, including intake and exhaust, boost controller and gauges, upgraded turbos, higher capacity intercoolers, improved suspension and more on the table.

Already rated at 365hp (272kW) from the factory, the SHO is set to grow to potentially insane output levels in the... Twin-turbos, 365hp - stock - aggressive looks and...four doors? A Blue Oval on the grille? The Ford Taurus SHO is a legendary nameplate with a promising new face for the 2010 model year, and the tuners at Hennessey Performance have taken notice. Not much about the planned modifications are yet known, but before 2009 is over the Hennessey gang will have upgrades for the SHO ready, including intake and exhaust, boost controller and gauges, upgraded turbos, higher capacity intercoolers, improved suspension and more on the table. Already rated at 365hp (272kW) from the factory, the SHO is set to grow to potentially insane output levels in the hands of the likes of Hennessey. The same crew has turned out Dodge Vipers and Ford GTs with twin-turbo kits rated at over 1,000hp (746kW), announced a 705hp 2010 Camaro (526kW) and even taken on the Corvette ZR1. What they might do the SHO is anybody's guess, but it's almost guaranteed to be outrageous. Perhaps an American rival to the potent twin-turbo sixes found in so many BMWs is finally in the making - especially once the EcoBoost V6 makes it to the Lincoln MKS later this year.Hennessey ZR700 Corvette ZR12010 Ford Taurus SHO2010 Ford Taurus SHO Read More

Fast factory versions of frumpy family sedans are nothing new - they've been around almost as long as the industry has - but few really capture the mind of the auto enthusiast like the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) did during the 1990s. Perhaps because it was one of the few American takes on the concept at the time, or perhaps because it was simply a quick and fun sedan, but whatever it was SHO fans are still clamoring for a revival.

Today those fans finally get their wish as Ford has unveiled a new SHO based on the 2010 Taurus. Scheduled to make its debut at this week’s Chicago Auto Show, the 2010 Taurus SHO comes with the Blue... Fast factory versions of frumpy family sedans are nothing new - they've been around almost as long as the industry has - but few really capture the mind of the auto enthusiast like the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) did during the 1990s. Perhaps because it was one of the few American takes on the concept at the time, or perhaps because it was simply a quick and fun sedan, but whatever it was SHO fans are still clamoring for a revival. Today those fans finally get their wish as Ford has unveiled a new SHO based on the 2010 Taurus. Scheduled to make its debut at this week’s Chicago Auto Show, the 2010 Taurus SHO comes with the Blue Oval’s latest 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters and an AWD system. Peak output is rated at 365hp (272kW) and 350lb-ft (474Nm), making the Taurus SHO the most powerful application of EcoBoost so far. Ford is yet to reveal any performance or fuel-economy figures but expect to see 0-60mph times in the low six seconds bracket. The Taurus SHO driveline is contemporized with the incorporation of a partial AWD system that engages automatically when it detects the wheels are slipping. The unit contains an array of internal electromechanical clutches to distribute torque to individual wheels to maximize traction. Other features include a fuel-saving electronic power-assisted steering system (EPAS), a sport-tuned suspension with unique shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars and strut mount bushings, and 19in alloy wheels as standard. Ford will also offer a SHO Performance Package, which consists of upgraded brake pads, a recalibrated EPAS, a special ‘Sport Mode’ for the electronic stability control, and 20in alloy wheels. Setting apart the Taurus SHO from the standard sedan on which it is based are painted alloy wheels, a decklid-mounted spoiler and twin chrome exhaust tips, a unique grille and SHO badging. Inside, there are leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10-way power adjustable front seats, SHO branding on the floor mats and seats, and faux aluminum trim accents. Available options include a reverse camera, adaptive cruise control, and Ford’s latest Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Alert warning systems. Other goodies include massaging seats, a voice-activated navigation system and 10GB juke box, and a 12-speaker Sony audio system. The Taurus SHO will be built at Ford’s Chicago assembly plant and will be available in dealerships by the middle of the year at a starting price of $37,995.2010 Ford Taurus sedan2010 Ford Taurus SHO2010 Ford Taurus SHO Read More

Fast factory versions of frumpy family sedans are nothing new - they've been around almost as long as the industry has - but few really capture the mind of the auto enthusiast like the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) did during the 1990s. Perhaps because it was one of the few American takes on the concept at the time, or perhaps because it was simply a quick and fun sedan, but whatever it was SHO fans are still clamoring for a revival.

Those fans may finally get their wish as Ford is expected to launch a new SHO model, based on the 2010 Taurus sedan, at next week’s Chicago Auto Show. Ford has given us the first clue that a... Fast factory versions of frumpy family sedans are nothing new - they've been around almost as long as the industry has - but few really capture the mind of the auto enthusiast like the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) did during the 1990s. Perhaps because it was one of the few American takes on the concept at the time, or perhaps because it was simply a quick and fun sedan, but whatever it was SHO fans are still clamoring for a revival. Those fans may finally get their wish as Ford is expected to launch a new SHO model, based on the 2010 Taurus sedan, at next week’s Chicago Auto Show. Ford has given us the first clue that a performance version of the Taurus will be coming this month, with the company announcing a ‘Performance Series’ under the ‘Key Features’ section on its official site for the new Taurus. Adding to the speculation, the guys at Jalopnik previously managed to get their hands on several images of an incomplete SHO-badged dashboard taken at an unknown Ford design studio. While Ford is yet to confirm the new Performance Series is actually a SHO model, the upcoming car will almost certainly benefit from the company's first EcoBoost engine – a 3.5L direct-injected and turbocharged V6 with an estimated 350hp (261kW) and 350lb-ft (474Nm) of torque. According to AutoWeek, the latest Taurus SHO will look almost the same as the standard model barring a few badges and custom exhaust tips. Ford's first-generation Taurus SHO was initially centered around a stock of Yamaha-designed 3.0L V6 engines intended for a sporty two-seater that was killed off before it reached production. Since Ford still had the engines, it decided to use them for the SHO, its hottest version of what was, at the time, the world's best-selling car. Starting in 1989, production ran for three generations over a decade, ending in 1999. By the end the car was almost unrecognizable, however. The first two generations excelled with manual transmissions and high-output (for the time) V6s. For the third model, built from 1996-1999, a V8 making about the same power as the V6 it replaced was specified, but the manual transmission was removed as an option. Declining popularity and sales that never passed 9,000 units per year meant this was the last generation of the SHO.2010 Ford Taurus sedan Read More

It's amazing what a few lines of text can do, and while a few leaked details on the powertrain of the 2010 Ford Taurus is not in a league with the Declaration of Independence, both serve to illustrate the power of words. In this case, it's the power of an acronym - 3.5L GTDI - that conveys a hint of a possible rebirth of the Ford Taurus SHO.

The Taurus SHO, like the Taurus itself, is often remembered by fans and foes alike as one of the great modern American cars. Practical, powerful, stylish and affordable, it was to the 1990s what the Mustang was to the 1960s, at least to some. It was certainly one of the last must-have hot variants of a... It's amazing what a few lines of text can do, and while a few leaked details on the powertrain of the 2010 Ford Taurus is not in a league with the Declaration of Independence, both serve to illustrate the power of words. In this case, it's the power of an acronym - 3.5L GTDI - that conveys a hint of a possible rebirth of the Ford Taurus SHO. The Taurus SHO, like the Taurus itself, is often remembered by fans and foes alike as one of the great modern American cars. Practical, powerful, stylish and affordable, it was to the 1990s what the Mustang was to the 1960s, at least to some. It was certainly one of the last must-have hot variants of a mainstream American sedan. Today a brochure has leaked, reviving some of that emotion and hope for a new generation of the SHO. One one page of that brochure, the engine options are listed, including the line: "3.5L V6 GTDI". An educated guess leads one to believe that's a 3.5L V6 gasoline turbocharged direct-injected engine - or a wordy way of saying Ford's new EcoBoost V6. The 2010 Ford Taurus was unveiled just a week ago at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, so full official details on the powertrain are yet to percolate through proper channels. But the idea of a 355kW (265kW) twin-turbo V6 at the heart of the new Taurus gives cause for excitement. Especially when that engine appears to be mated with an AWD drivetrain. No information in the leaked brochure indicates the EcoBoost V6 will be available with the FWD option, but that's just as well since torque steer and traction would be perpetual bogeymen of such a configuration. No confirmation of the EcoBoost speculation, or whether this might mean a full SHO version - which would likely include an uprated suspension, appearance and performance package as well as the twin-turbo V6 engine - is in the works is yet forthcoming from Ford, but with the car's official sales debut rapidly drawing near, expect more details to come. The leaked brochures also detail many of the available option sets on the new Taurus, including standard and optional features of the SE, SEL and Limited trim levels. For more details and full scans of the brochure, head on over to Jalopnik.2010 Ford Taurus sedan2010 Ford Taurus brochure leak hints at new SHO Read More