Ford Taurus
Casey Williams, www.car-data.com
American families fell in love with the Ford Taurus during the mid ’80s, but performanceenthusiasts became childlike over the Taurus SHO when it was introduced in 1989.
After ‘the rounding’ in 1996, there was even a SHO powered by a Yamaha V8. Then, the Taurusbecame the darling of rental fleets with no fun to be had. All that began to change when the 2010Taurus recently debuted on the Volvo large car platform. Now, Ford takes its SHO on the road.
‘The new Taurus SHO delivers on the authentic sleeper sedan formula but adds all-new luxuryappointments, convenience features and technologies to an unsurpassed balance of power and fueleconomy,’ said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. ‘This new sport derivative answersenthusiasts’ calls for a premium Ford flagship sedan with even more attitude.’
Having debuted during January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the paint ishardly dry on early production units of the next-generation Taurus. With a European chassis tomatch its dashing Euro looks, the new Taurus should be a major hit for Ford. But, that’s only wherethe goodness begins.
The new SHO will come with a twin-turbocharged ‘Ecoboost’ 3.5-litre V6 that generates a whopping365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at a relatively low 3,500 rpm. All of thatpower going just to the front wheels would be a nightmare, so Ford equipped the SHO withtorque-sensing all-wheel-drive to even out the power delivery. A six-speed manumatic transmission,with steering wheel paddle shifters, gives drivers complete control. Fuel economy should come inaround 25-MPG hwy.
With the exception of a subtle wing and 19′ (or optional 20′) wheels, the SHO is a real sleeper.Your neighbors will hardly notice you bought the hottest Ford sedan available. The interior isupgraded with leather-trimmed seats with Miko suede inserts that are made from recycled sodabottles. A perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and sport gauges encourageenthusiasts to grip and go.
Suspension settings were also stepped up a few notches. Said Pete Reyes, Taurus chief engineer,’Taurus SHO suspension and steering have been sport-tuned to provide discriminating drivers withprecise control, confident handling, communicative feedback and a compliant ride.’
As Ford’s flagship, engineers ensured it would come with all of the latest gadgetry. Push buttonstarting, capless fuel filling, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, and reversing camera are but astart. The SHO is also equipped with blind spot detectors (BLIS’ – ala Volvo), adaptive cruisecontrol that monitors traffic ahead to adjust speed, and Collision Warning with brake assist. Thelatter detects stopping traffic ahead and will apply brakes if the driver does not take action.
With such style, power, and wizardry the Taurus SHO makes you want to return to 1968 and kickGalaxies into the next one! Unlike the older power brokers, the new SHO comes with the foundationto kick heels with the world’s best sport sedans while carrying four or five passengers infull-size comfort. Over 100,000 of the first two generations of SHOs were sold by 1999, and with astarting price of $37,995, we could see that many more. Competitors include the Pontiac G8,Chrysler 300C, and Nissan Maxima.
