2010 Ford Taurus SHO

OVERVIEW

Taurus SHO is back for 2010 in a contemporary yet authentic interpretation of its Super High Output 'sleeper' heritage.

Both known and loved for its high performance and unassuming exterior, Ford Taurus SHO was launched in limited production with only a five-speed manual transmission only for the 1989 model year. Introductory advertising positioned Taurus SHO as putting 'power in the hands of a fortunate few.'

Demand for the genre-defining Taurus SHO was underestimated, as 15,519 units found homes with eager, enthusiastic owners in the initial model year. The closest performance comparison at the time was the BMW 528i, costing tens of thousands more than the SHO.

Beyond significant performance capabilities, Taurus SHO included features normally found on much more expensive cars such as ABS, Keyless Entry, a JBL audio system and sporty-yet-luxurious interior appointments.

Two key factors made the original Taurus SHO sedan a favorite of the automotive cognoscenti, right out of the gate. The critical element, a Yamaha-developed 3.0-liter V-6 engine delivering 220 horsepower, delivered thrust through a five-speed manual transmission. The SHO twist was design subtlety.

Traditional American high-performance cars shouted their intentions with racing stripes, hood scoops and raised white letter tire sidewalls. Taurus SHO was understated, stealth.

From the V-8 Ford sedans from the ‘30s and ‘40s, the 1957 Fairlane 500 driven by Robert Mitchum in Thunder Road, through the mid-‘60s Falcon Sprint, many Ford sedans offered unexpected performance in their price classes. A performance-minded customer of the day could specify a sleeper Ford sedan by shrewdly mixing and matching powertrain options and trim levels. Until the Taurus SHO arrived, this involved a special order and dealer-installed upgrades.

Taurus SHO was an OEM interpretation of a time-honored hot rod recipe, to make the car faster than it looks. Automotive enthusiasts called the Taurus SHO a 'sleeper' as it delivered performance beyond the promise of its understated design. The December 1989 issue of Car and Driver reported a 0-60 figure of 6.6 seconds, a quarter-mile elapsed time of 15 seconds flat and an observed top speed of 143 miles per hour.

To the untrained eye, the Taurus SHO virtually was undistinguishable from the standard Taurus models, at that time the best-selling car in the United States. Taurus SHO gave an enthusiastic owner the opportunity to blend in. A special-edition option package was launched for 1991, as some Taurus SHO owners asked for aesthetic differentiation from normal Taurus sedan models.

The Taurus SHO was mildly redesigned for the 1992 model year but kept the subtlety. Comedian Conan O'Brien spoke frequently of his personal 1992 Taurus SHO on his popular late-night talk show, adding to SHO lore. A four-speed automatic transmission was offered for 1993, dramatically expanding the number of potential SHO buyers. A record 21,550 Taurus SHO models were sold that year.

Taurus SHO was redesigned for the 1996 model year, and given a Yamaha-developed 3.4-liter V-8 engine, coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission shared with other Taurus models. By the late ‘90s, Taurus SHO sales began to taper off.

Taurus SHO production at the Hapeville, Georgia, production facility wound down at the end of the 1999 model year. During its 10 years, more than 100,000 were sold.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO
As Ford was developing the new 2010 Taurus, a passionate cadre of SHO enthusiasts within the company asked, 'Why not?'

For North American Car and Crossover Planning Manager, Amy Marentic, Taurus SHO represented a professional and personal goal. When she started with the company in 1992, the real-estate agent who helped her locate a suitable home drove a Light Titanium Taurus SHO. Shortly thereafter, she had the chance to drive her department head's Emerald Green SHO. She was smitten.

'Someday, I'll have a Taurus SHO,' she remembers telling herself.

As the new 2010 Taurus was moving through the development process, Marentic and the team saw a market opportunity in contemporizing the original SHO formula. Adding a super high output EcoBoost V-6 to the expressive new Taurus sedan, incorporating all-wheel drive with a unique sport-tuned suspension, while keeping the SHO-specific design cues subtle and stealth, enabled a balance of authenticity and innovation.

'As word got out within the company, engineers and product development employees eagerly offered help, people worked weekends and retirees that had contributed to the original SHO provided pro bonoconsultation,' added Marentic. 'The reincarnation of SHO really invigorated the team.'

Researchers from the team also spent considerable time listening to several Taurus SHO enthusiast organizations. Vocal club members stressed the importance of a super high-output six-cylinder engine, a performance tuned suspension and subtle SHO identification.

Taurus SHO enthusiasts started a dedicated Web site, www.bringbackthesho.com, to convince Ford to resurrect the model and created an online community at www.shoforum.com.

Team Taurus presented the SHO business case to senior management with equal doses of market data and passionate enthusiasm. Given a green light, the concept became reality in less than 12 months.

Marentic's reaction?

'A 2010 Taurus SHO in Atlantis Green Metallic, please,' she answered without hesitation.

Source - Ford
Introduced in December 1985 as a 1986 model, Ford unveiled the Taurus with its smooth, jellybean-like body. One of the slickest vehicles in the world, the Taurus had an aerodynamic drag coefficient of only 0.29. Instantaneously winning over thousands of fans, the Taurus was a huge success. The name Taurus came from the Latin word meaning ‘bull'. During its 20 years of production, Ford sold nearly 7 million Taurus's throughout its lifetime. Most Taurus's were built in either Chicago, Illinois and in Atlanta, Georgia.

A bold new step in US automobile design, this was the first time in many decades that an American manufacturer was building a world class car. Inspired by successful European designs, which were making huge steps in the US premium sedan market, Ford took a huge gamble in basing its main profits on this vehicle.
Weighing in around 3,200lbs, the front-wheel-drive midsize Taurus rode on a 106-inch wheelbase. All models except the LX featured the base engine, a four cylinder of 2.5 liters and 90 horsepower. Most buyers chose the optional 3.0-liter V6 that put out an impressive 140 horsepower. Transmission options were either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic, while the V6 only came with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
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In 1988 a larger 3.8-liter V6 engine became optional for all Taurus's and all Sables. Rated at the same horsepower as the standard 3.0-liter V6, the bigger engine produced more torque and was better off-the-line response, which was helpful in drag races.

Ford introduced the Taurus SHO in1989, which was a special treat for driving enthusiasts. Featuring a 220-horsepower, 24-valve, 3.0-liter Yamaha engine along with a sport suspension package, the SHO was a magnificent vehicle. Continuing with the serious, performance-oriented theme of the vehicle, the interior featured a 140-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer with a 7,000-rpm redline, aggressive side bolsters on the front bucket seats along with a console which featured a five-speed manual gearshift as no automatic transmission was available for the SHO. Reaching 0-60 mph in only seven seconds, the SHO received four-wheel disc brakes along with upgraded handling.

The Taurus received a driver's side airbag in 1990 along with a revised instrument panel. Antilock brakes were newly optional on sedans only, and a compact disc player. The three-speed unit that was formerly mated to the 3.0-liter V6 was replaced with a four-speed automatic.

The following year a much-need boost in power was made to the four cylinder engine, bumping it from 90 horsepower to 115. No increase in its output, but the 3.0-liter V6 received sequential fuel injection. The SHO also received a few updates as well that included larger 16-inch tires and wheels while the manual gearbox and clutch were modified for smoother operation.

A larger 3.2-liter version of the DOHC V6 was introduced in 1993 and came with automatic SHOs. Though peak horsepower was the same as the 3.0 motor, more torque down low offset the fitment of the auto gearbox. The SHO also received a decklid spoiler with integrated stop lamp along with chrome dual exhaust outlets. To make the Taurus even more competitive in the tough sportscar market segment, more standard equipment that included AC and a rear window defroster were added to lower-line models.

Every year the Taurus took the title of 'Best-Selling Car in America' from 1992 through 1995. Many changes were introduced for the 1996 Taurus. Under the hood was a new ‘Duratec' 24-valve, DOHC V6 with 200 horsepower. The 3.0-liter V6 gained an additional 5 horsepower bumping it up to 145 horses. The SHO also now had V8 power, a Yamaha-engineered, 3.4-liter, 32-valve unit that pushed 235 horsepower to the front wheels. The SHO no longer had a manual gearbox, along with all other Taurus's as now all vehicles featured an electronically controlled, four-speed automatic transmission handled gear changes. Despite of all of these controversial design changes, the Taurus continued with its 'Best-Selling Car in America' streak for yet another year.

For 1997 engineering was on everyone's mind as a variety of changes occurred for the 3.0-liter V6, and the Taurus didn't lag behind. The V6 motor was modified to run cleaner and even received California's low-emission vehicle status as a result. Along with standard gasoline-fueled version, the 3.0 offered two 'flexible fuel' options. One option allowed the engine to run on mainly methanol while the other ran on mostly ethanol.

The standard engine for the LX and SE models was once again the 145-horsepower V6 in 1998. The SE featured an optional Sport group that put the 200-horsepower Duratec V6 in the engine bay along with a spoiler on the trunk lid. The grille was slightly updated as a horizontal bar was inserted into the ‘mouth', and the orange taillights were replaced with clear lenses. The second generation airbags were replaced with more safe ones that were designed to reduce the chance of airbag related injuries; this debuted on the 1998 models.

For 1999 models safety was the big selling point as both the Taurus and the Sable received the government's highest rating for frontal crash tests. The largest selling point in the sportscar market was that both the sedan and wagon body styles garnered five stars for driver and passenger sides in the frontal impact test.

The following year a set of 3.0-liter V6 engines remained as the source of propulsion. The base version featured 155 horsepower and a higher-output 24-valve twincam unit that produced 200 horsepower. A four-speed automatic sends the power to the front wheels either way. The SHO was discontinued in 2000.

For 2000 the Taurus received yet another redesign as it minimized some of the oval design elements from the 1996 model. A taller roof over the rear-passenger space was featured in the redesign to increase passenger headroom that was sacrificed by the tapered '96 design. Making the vehicle more functional, the taller and roomier trunk also added points.

The interior of the 2000 model was completely replaced for a much more conservative design. A few elements of the interior were kept from the 1996 model, such as the integrated control console which combined the sound system and climate controls into one panel. To appeal to a broader, non-sporting audience, the suspension was also softened. The four-wheel disc brakes along with many other features were eliminated to reduce the price and increase profitability.

For 2002 the Taurus now included extra equipment on every trim level that included a CD player and power driver's seat on the SE, a power moonroof or leather interior on the SES. Both of these luxury options were found on the SEL. Optional on all models now were side airbags and traction control.

The Taurus received minor cosmetic changes to both the front and rear fascias, including an eggcrate grille for 2004. A new instrument cluster and steering wheel were installed for this same year.

Unfortunately the Taurus's days were numbers and for 2005 very little changes were made. Ford replaced the Taurus in commercial markets with the 2005 Ford Five Hundred after facing slumping sales. In January of 2005 the Taurus wagon was discontinued and replaced in the lineup by the crossover Ford Freestyle. Ford stopped selling the Taurus to the public in 2005. Still sold to the Canadian market, the model year 2006 Taurus is sold exclusively to rental fleets, such as The Hertz Corporation. In August 2006, the vehicle ceased production as a 2007 model year vehicle as Ford closed the Atlanta plant.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO Specifications
Engine Location Front
Drive Type AWD
Body / Chassis Steel unibody
Production Years for Series 2010 -
Introduced At 2009 Chicago Auto Show

Engine
Engine Configuration V
60-degree
Cylinders 6
Aspiration/Induction Twin-turbocharged
Displacement 3496 cc | 213.3 cu in. | 3.5 L.
Valves 24 valves.
4 valves per cylinder.
Horsepower 365 BHP (268.64 KW) @ 5500 RPM
Torque 350 Ft-Lbs (475 NM) @ 3500 RPM
HP / Liter 104.4 BHP / Liter
Redline 6700
Compression Ratio 10.3:1
Block Aluminum
Head Aluminum
Ignition System Pencil coil
Intake Manifold Composite, split plenum
Exhaust Manifold Cast iron
Crankshaft Forged steel
Throttle Body 65 mm, electronic
Pistons High temperature cast aluminum alloy with low-friction coated skirts, low tension rings
Connecting Rods Cracked powder metal

Standard Transmission
Gears 6
Transmission Automatic
SelectShift with Paddle Activation
Final Drive 2.77

Dimensions
Cargo Volume 20 cu. ft.
Passenger Volume 102.2 cu. ft.
Interior Volume 122.3 cu. ft.
Towing Capacity 1,000.0 lbs
Seating Capacity 5
Doors 4
Exterior
Length 202.9 in | 5154 mm.
Width 76.2 in | 1936 mm.
Height 60.7 in | 1542 mm.
Wheelbase 112.9 in | 2868 mm.
Front Track 60.7 in | 1542 mm.
Rear Track 65.5 in | 1664 mm.
Interior
Front Headroom 39.0 in | 991 mm.
Rear Headroom 37.8 in | 960 mm.
Front Legroom 41.9 in | 1064 mm.
Rear Legroom 38.1 in | 968 mm.
Front Hip Room 56.3 in | 1430 mm.
Rear Hip Room 55.8 in | 1418 mm.
Front Shoulder Room 57.9 in | 1471 mm.
Rear Shoulder Room 56.9 in | 1445 mm.
Vehicles with similar dimensions

Suspension
Suspension Front : Upgraded Macpherson strut and shocks, rear facing L-shaped lower control arm with isolated subframe and stabilizer bar; includes strut tower brace

Rear : Independent multi-link suspension coil over shocks; stamped steel lower control arms and cast upper control arms

Steering
Rack and Pinion with Power Assist
Steering Overall Ratio 17:1
Turns lock to lock 2.98
Turning Circle 12.1 m | 474.448 in. | 12050.979 mm.

Tires / Wheels
Tires P255/45Rx19 BSW
Wheels 19-inch 5-spoke Premium painted aluminum