Ford Taurus SHO to Get a Little More SHO-wy in 2012

[AVANTI R5]

One of the only significant criticisms of the excellent Ford Taurus SHO—well, besides lifeless steering and subpar brakes—involves its styling. Not that it’s unattractive, but all Tauruses are attractive. Other than great wheels, a tiny spoiler, subtle silver trim around the front LED bars, and teensy SHO badges on the C-pillar trim, it looks no different than the more plebeian versions. Well, a little more glamour may be on the way for the top-dog Taurus in 2012, it seems, based on comments we gleaned earlier this week from bigwig Ford engineer J.D. Shanahan.

During our chat, Shanahan acknowledged that after clinics with Taurus and SHO intenders—among whom there was no consensus on the level of pizzazz the SHO should wield—Ford settled on styling that is “on the cautious side” of conservative, at least as far as performance sedans go.

But Ford is definitely considering making the SHO’s look more distinct in the future. When we suggested adding simple but immediately evident things like smoked lamp lenses, Shanahan said they would be doing something more significant than that, although he wouldn’t be more specific than to say the car would get new wheels.

How soon will we see a showier SHO? No sooner than 2012, according to Shanahan, since making significant changes for 2011 would look like Ford trying to fix a mistake made in the first year as opposed to evolving the car as part of an actual scheduled product update.
.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/ford-ta...ho-wy-in-2012/

[Yotsuya]

All this hype and I still haven't even seen a Taurus on the road. Now we're into the next generation? This is turning into Camaro part 2.

[darknightohio]

Originally Posted by Yotsuya

All this hype and I still haven't even seen a Taurus on the road. Now we're into the next generation? This is turning into Camaro part 2.

The "new Taurus" is just new skin over an old platform with a big engine. By 2012 we will have a Mondeo based Taurus. Now that should be good.

[WRXBob]

I saw one on the street. It looks like a chopped top SUV, think the G8 is big? this thing is gigantic. Definitely a car for the buy by the pound people, but the general pblic is geared toward smaller more fuel efficience model.

[Lboogie]

These things are ginormous, but the good news is they are also sleepers.

[turbo tecnica]

Saw one of these at a Ford dealership and like others said, it's freakin' huge.

[linus011]

I see TONS of SHOs on the roads here... But of course, I work in Dearborn. This is not a repeat of camaro by any stretch of the imagination.

[4wdwrx]

I bet a new Robocop movie with Murphy driving one, would make this a big hit.

[AVANTI R5]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO; Day 4:

Day 4
Click Image to Enlarge So much for “fuel consumption like a V6 and power like a V8;” the Taurus SHO returned dismal fuel economy for the week I had it. I even did three highway trips and attempted to be gentle but there was no fuel-saving love to be had.


I averaged 14.4L/100km over the course of the week. This is a big, heavy car 1,981Kg (4,367 lbs) and parked next to the Nissan Titan in my driveway I’m sure it is just as long. Ford’s specs agree, telling me that the Taurus SHO is 5,154mm, or nearly 17 feet, in length!


Perhaps 14.4L/100km isn’t that terrible when put into context, but I was close to the Transport Canada Fuel Consumption Ratings of 12.3/8.0 L/100km (city/highway). One thing needs to be made clear: this is a big powerful sedan like those of yesteryear, only with all-wheel drive to get the power down. It reminds me more of the old Crown Victoria than the Taurus, or perhaps a newer Mercury Marauder.


*Rating out of 5:




Day 3



I have put enough kilometres on the Taurus SHO now to get a good opinion on its overall features and drivability. There are a few things that are really bothering me with this vehicle, though none of them have nothing to do with how it drives or its comfort.



Click Image to Enlarge


With our salt-covered streets come salt-covered cars, and the Taurus has no trunk handle on the inside to close it — a minor annoyance but it also is very difficult to open the trunk after it pops. The struts on the trunklid are not capable of assisting; perhaps the trunk weights in at 500 lb. I’m not sure but it seems heavy!

One huge annoyance are the headlights, which are barely useful. Ford may as well have just taped two flashlights on the front of the car and called it a day. At first I thought it was due to dirty lenses but after a wash I had the same problem. The bulbs simply do not produce enough light. On dark country roads I can barely tell the lights are on and in the city forget it; I expected much better at this price.

But if it is daytime, there is no problem, the Taurus is beyond smooth. The engine, the transmission, the road noise, all perfectly smooth and quiet. Tromp on the go-pedal and the SHO accelerates like a freight train (but it weighs nearly as much, too, though so don’t get carried away.

I drove the SHO on the track at AJAC’s Car of the Year Testfest event and it performed well but not exceedingly so compared to other vehicles in its entered category “Sports / Performance under $50k”. The Taurus SHO is a fast, smooth tourer — that unfortunately must be parked at night.


Day 2

Click Image to Enlarge


I thought it was somewhat odd today when the collision warning system in the SHO told me it had been deactivated. My first assumption was there must be snow on the sensor. Then I remembered that back in October, when I attended AJAC’s Car of the Year Testfest event, the same thing happened on the track, and at the time I thought perhaps it was my aggressive driving.

Well, I double-checked the VIN (vehicle identification number) and sure enough, the vehicle I am driving now is the exact same one I drove back in October — must be a glitch!


Click Image to Enlarge


The Testfest sheet also indicates the vehicle as being priced under $50,000, but Ford has raised prices since, which is too bad as I agree with all the comments that this vehicle is priced a little too high.

The interior is very comfortable, though, and if that is what you are looking for, you may not want to look too much further. The Taurus SHO provides a lot of amenities and technology in the package and it all works well together (unless there is a glitch in the system).

The massaging seats are the highlight for sure, as they keep you relaxed and would be excellent on a long journey. I find the driving position a little odd with the very high centre console and lack of space in the dead pedal area. Despite the multitude of adjustments for the seat and steering I can’t seem to get a comfortable position.

The driving position is not uncomfortable, but it feels more laid back and designed for the relaxed driver, rather than the sit-up-in-attentiveness position that I prefer.



Day 1

Click Image to Enlarge


The SHO is back! This week I am driving Ford’s new-for-2010 Ford Taurus SHO — and unlike the last generation, which had a Yamaha-sourced V8 engine — this SHO is powered by Ford’s new EcoBoost 3.5-litre powerplant, one that has been making headlines.



Click Image to Enlarge


The base Taurus starts at only $29,999 but the SHO model, equipped standard with all-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and 365hp and 350-lb-ft of torque ups the price to $49,729. Add in the collision mitigation system and radar-assisted cruise in my tester and it comes to a whopping $51,229 before the government damage.

This car is certainly no inexpensive performance deal, but it does give you much of everything: power, AWD, comfort, amenities and a trunk capable of fitting at least four sets of golf clubs.

Some of the standard features in the SHO include: heated and cooled seats with massage function, dual-zone climate control, back-up camera, rear sun shade, automatic headlamps, Microsoft Sync with Bluetooth, power adjustable pedals and power everything, including push button start.


2010 Ford Taurus SHO
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $51,229
For more information on Ford and the Taurus SHO visit Ford Canada

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/0...urus-sho.htm/4

[subyski]

The Taurus is huge. It's a nice looking car but not a head turner, especially the SHO at $50k. In my opinion, the Fusion is more of a head turner. Plus you can get an Eco-friendly version. All Ford needs is an Eco-boost Fusion version and the model lineup will satisfy all types of buyers.

[Not-EWRX]

I think it looks good.

[Lboogie]

its definitely big, but definitely a sleeper. got to take a drive in one a few weeks ago @ local auto show. I'd been worried it wasn't up to its price level in terms of performance, equipment, & feel....But It Is.

[Scoobie Doogie]

$50k+ for a FORD TAURUS, are you f'n kidding me.

[Superglue WRX]

Originally Posted by Scoobie Doogie

$50k+ for a FORD TAURUS, are you f'n kidding me.

Canada

[Calamity Jesus]

The original base model Taurus could be had for less than $14k. The new one is $29k.

The pricing does seem nuts for what was once an affordable midsize car... especially the way Ford has run the name through the mud over the last decade.

[NeedBoost21]

no way am I paying 50K for a ford

[BlaineWasHere]

I would rather have a Fusion SHO.

[amdmaxx]

This!
I hope they put v6 Ecoboost in Fusion. I'd get one in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

I would rather have a Fusion SHO.

[Silver_04_WRX_SC]

I came up behind one the other day in mixed traffic on the interstate and he must have been threatened by my hood scoop...he started weaving in and out like an idiot. Honestly I wasn't all that impressed with the power or it's looks.

I agree a SHO Fusion would be awesome!

[White out]

This thing is a major sleeper. The badges are not noticeable.

Nick

[dauss]

I can't believe how much they weigh. Nearly 4,400 pounds.

[DirtyBanana]

This car is far to expensive, too bland, and doesn't perform nearly well enough to justify the 50k price tag. Ford should have stuffed that engine/drivetrain into one of its "high" end auto lines and called it a day

[neko]

not that i'm defending the car, i hate it. but...

For all you Americans: Realize that the "Canadian Driver" review above pointed out a purchase price of $50k Canadian dollars.. Not US. The SHO model, best i can tell from Ford's website, is about $38k in the US. Still overpriced, but not as bad as $50k US would be.

For all you that do happen to be Canadians:
Keep right on bitchin bout it.

It's just a crappy Crown Vic with AWD. When will auto makers learn that dropping cylinders and replacing them with Forced Induction doesn't really = any better fuel economy. For example 300hp worth of fuel is 300hp worth of fuel regardless of whether its coming out of a turbo 4cyl or 6cyl or n/a 6cyl or 8cyl, or etc, etc.

[4wdwrx]

Originally Posted by neko

not that i'm defending the car, i hate it. but...

For all you Americans: Realize that the "Canadian Driver" review above pointed out a purchase price of $50k Canadian dollars.. Not US. The SHO model, best i can tell from Ford's website, is about $38k in the US. Still overpriced, but not as bad as $50k US would be.

For all you that do happen to be Canadians:
Keep right on bitchin bout it.

It's just a crappy Crown Vic with AWD. When will auto makers learn that dropping cylinders and replacing them with Forced Induction doesn't really = any better fuel economy. For example 300hp worth of fuel is 300hp worth of fuel regardless of whether its coming out of a turbo 4cyl or 6cyl or n/a 6cyl or 8cyl, or etc, etc.

I agree until the last paragraph. Not all 300hp engines are created equal, such as not all jars of peanut butter are equal, some has more calories and protein per gram than others.

[neko]

Originally Posted by 4wdwrx

I agree until the last paragraph. Not all 300hp engines are created equal, such as not all jars of peanut butter are equal, some has more calories and protein per gram than others.

You could be right. Because, in fact, if we compare a bunch of cars with 300hp (or close) v6's, like the Accord(19/29)/Acura(17/25) sedans, Camry's (19/28), Maxima(19/26) and 370Z(18/26), etc, they do all tend to get a bit better gas mileage than 300hp 4cyl turbo's like the Evo(17/22), STi(17/23), MS3(18/25).

So in fact, it seems that n/a power is better.
Heck, i'd love to see a nice little 2500lb sport-coupe with a nice 3.0L-ish V8 under the hood turning like 300hp? Would bet a great, smooth-revving power plant with power all over the band. Kinda like a smaller version of the V8's BMW uses with a bit less power and better fuel economy.