click on above image to view high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Taurus SHO photoshop
I've never been one to hide my unabashed appreciation for the Ford Taurus SHO (the first generation in particular, as they got progressively worse with each gen IMHO). Readers got a total kick out of the Ford Taurus Heritage Edition we showed you a week ago, and we think it's time Ford also consider bringing back the Super High Output. Fortunately, we were pointed to another Photochop artist that already took digital pen to paper and dreamed up what such a car might look like.
The rendering, posted by BlackManta on the CarSpyShots.net forum, is actually more ingenious than its first impression might suggest. BlackManta grafted the face of the Taurus X, previously known as the Freestyle, onto the Taurus to create a look that's more aggressive and interesting than the standard Taurus front end. The car's C-pillar has also been enlarged, which reduces the amount of harmful greenhouse glass (tee hee) and kind of reminds us of the now defunct Mercury Marauder, kind of.
We're having fun imagining the mechanicals, too. BlackManta would like to see the Yamaha-sourced 4.4L V8 used that currently powers the Volvo XC90 since it's roots can be traced back to the 3.4L V8 used in the third-gen Taurus SHO. That engine was a blight on the SHO's legacy, though, and we believe a proper tribute would be a 300-hp version of the new 3.5L V6 paired with the new six-speed auto and all-wheel drive. To be true to the legacy, a six-speed manual version would be even better. The mind reels at the thought.
Thanks for the tip, James!
[Source: CarSpyShots.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
RamSport47 @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:21PM
Horrible...odd proportions
Howard Kerr @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:22PM
As far as the picture goes, the "artist" got one detail wrong: the Taurus ALWAYS had that quarter window in the "C" pillar that this rendering lacks. Not having that window makes this a ? Sable SHO ?
Actually, I'd be happy if Ford just stepped up to the plate, like YESTERDAY, and made the 3.5 available in the 500/Montego.
doglet @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:24PM
when i was growing up, my family had a silver SHO. the silver bullit. we all loved that car. for its time is was faster than a mustang and carried 5 comfortably. it was realiable, affordable and it did everything you asked of it and left a smile on your face.
i would seriously consider buying a new SHO if they stayed true to the orginal (the gen 1 was the only one that wasnt a giant POS). honestly, i think the fusion would be a better starting point for a new SHO than the 500/taurus. the a taurus/500 would require 300 hp to be SHO fast and thats just not going to work in a fwd application, awd would be required and that doesnt really fit.
a 250ish HP version of the 3.0 driving the front wheels thru a 6speed auto or manual in a fusion SHO would be the true successor to the gen 1 SHO.
of course no company on the face of the earth is worse at evolving and using its heritage than ford so my hopes are not too high.
Doug @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:24PM
The C pillar looks right. Why can't ford or Mercury use it on the 2008 models. I think it makes a big difference.
BOB @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:30PM
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
It would help if the effort and money went into a car that is not MUCH more of a mature Family Car look and size than the early Taurus, no?
That expensive little roof panel change your artist tossed in would make a nice starting contribution toward building something like the Interceptor -- a sedan than can use the Mustang engines.
Let's leave the hotted up 6 cyl manual tranny cars to those who know how to make them, and do what Americans can do better-- the muscle cars.
Howard Kerr @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:32PM
The "C' pillar/roof is modelled after the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis....not quite evocative of a Taurus.
Robert O @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:32PM
I agree with #4, that C-pillar looks great. I really like the look.
joe @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:35PM
IMHO
2nd generation SHO > first > third...
Thomas @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:40PM
I love everything about it... except the Side Window design the small window needs to be there ..
BOB @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:40PM
(to explain to #4, who posted while I was typing) - the 500 roof is quite rounded from front to back, and the heavy C-pillar that works in a fudged speculative, drawing would look terrible without a new roof shape, thus a new roof structure, thus new rollover tests. The 2008 Taurus is a quick fix - the front clip is faster and much cheaper to tart up.
I am hoping it will be enough to get sales up a bit, and that Ford has a major facelift coming in a couple of years, or they may need to start over, and replace it with a car made from the new Volvo S-80. The 500 size and shape car has yet to be a proven profitable seller.
nan @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:40PM
I like the BMW M gills on the front...
Jos?le @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:44PM
I like it, except with all the chromage it looks more like it would be the Mercury and less like a SHO. Did Mercury have a SHO version of the Sable?
Bob R. @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:48PM
Very nice looking. The Taurus X fromt end fits the car better than the actual taurus front end. Nice quad tailpipes, great looking Jaguar rims, and the C-pillar sort of reminds me of a Honda Accord (the way it almost goes straight down), and a nice 300hp 6 speed manual (or possibly) automatic, would make a pretty cool car, and a good looking SHO version might help shed the dull part/rental part out of the Taurus name. Lets go Ford, build it!!
thomas @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:52PM
this is the front end that should have been on the car in the first place. why give the freestyle the better front end? i'm not a fan of the taurus' version at all. this rendering showed me why. those squarish headlights on the future taurus is too 1980s. a front end like this one would allow this car to better match against the 300c among the dads.
NoNameDenton @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:59PM
It would be an entertaininf drive, though I would like an SVT version till they bring back the SVT Lightning
minh @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:00PM
first, they canceled the model. now, they're bringing it back. that enough to make me vomit. then we get to the car desi.... BURPPPPPPPPP sorry, couldn't hold it in much longer. i can't believe people still buy/invest in ford. TOYOTA & HONDA ALL THE WAY!
MikeW @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:00PM
If the mono turbo inlin6 makes 281hp/295ft-lbs in the new V70, how about a twin turbo ~330hp 350ft-lbs inline 6.
Give BMW something to thing about before they sell their N54 short.
DanMan @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:09PM
Would I consider buying one? FO SHO! Especially if AWD was an option.
paul34 @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:22PM
>> new six-speed auto and ...
Autoblog, while I respect your blog, I cannot excuse this. I hope you realize you have committed automotive blasphemy by preferring an auto over a manual, especially on a vehicle like the SHO.
I cannot plead for you guys anymore, the wrath of the car gods will be upon you. What you have done is inexcusable among the those who live in the clouds of exhaust and tire smoke.
jj @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:29PM
Uhh faster than a mustang?
Was ANY sho ever faster than its mustang?
Isn't the whole point to drop a mustang engine into a taurus? Thus resulting in close, sure, but decidedly LOWER performance due to chasis, weight, etc.. ?