Spy Shots: SHO-time for 2010 Ford Taurus
by John Neff on Dec 29th 2008 at 12:57PM 
Could it be? Right in the midst of my own personal search for a mint Gen 1 (1989-1991) Taurus SHO comes pictoral proof that Ford may be resurrecting the Super High Output model. What we have here is one of many images published by Jalopnik showing the "SHO" moniker in its traditional font on the passenger side dash of a 2010 Ford Taurus. What does it all mean? That's tough to say. The safe bet is that Ford may be developing a Taurus SHO concept car that could debut after the standard model is revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month. It would also be safe to assume that a Taurus SHO would be powered by Ford's new EcoBoost V6, which is rumored to produce 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That's a heaping helping more than the 220 hp produced by the Yamaha-built 3.0L V6 in the original SHO, but there's also a lot more Taurus to haul around these days.
While it's possible that Ford could be adding the SHO trim level back to the Taurus line, we hope these pictures portend the arrival of a concept car only. You might be wondering how such an avid SHO fan could speak such blasphemy, and the answer is that today's Taurus is far removed from the original that shocked the industry back in 1986. Back then the Taurus was a mid-size family sedan with a futuristic design that broke the mold, and the SHO was heralded as an M3 at half the price when it arrived in 1989. Today's Taurus is just too big and expensive to wear those shoes, though an M5 on sale for 50% off sounds tempting. If we're being honest, however, a Fusion SHO tuned by SVT would be irresistible.
[Source: Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MemphisNET 1:07PM (12/29/2008)
350/350 through the front wheels would be a nightmare, so hopefully its AWD. The Taurus today is ok... but I agree (and hope) that it should be a Fusion SHO
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Paul P. 1:17PM (12/29/2008)
Exactly, Taurus SHO (AWD) is ok, but a Fusion SHO (AWD) would be better, as it's around 700lbs lighter.
The Fusion SHO would probably be a high 12 second car that could be setup to handle well, and still be used as a daily driver. I would definately consider buying one, especially if SVT did the tuning on it.
Talisman 1:20PM (12/29/2008)
AWD will definitely be available
MemphisNET 2:21PM (12/29/2008)
If the Taurus was RWD I'd love to see a SHO that could go against the G8 GT and Charger RT. An AWD would be cool, but lets face it -- someone who wants a performance AWD isn't shopping fullsize.
MikeW 4:14PM (12/29/2008)
Where does one come up with 700lbs?
The Fusion 3.5 + Haldex is 3800+lbs
http://media.ford.com/press_kits_detail.cfm?presskit_id=1981&item_id=5610&press_section_id=2878
The Taurus 3.5 + Haldex is 3900+ lbs
http://media.ford.com/press_kits_detail.cfm?presskit_id=1940&item_id=5532&press_section_id=2878
The Lincoln MKS (haldex) is under 4300lbs
http://media.ford.com/press_kits_detail.cfm?presskit_id=1678&item_id=5486&press_section_id=2878
350hp with premium isn't bad, so long as the curb weight is less than 4300lbs.
RITmusic2k 1:12PM (12/29/2008)
Oh man, this is ridiculous! I really hope they find a way to do it. While the purist in me wants another high-revving Yamaha in there, I think the EcoBoost engine is a deserving successor, and would do much to keep with the original spirit of the car.
It better have air bladders in the seat bolsters, though, or no deal.
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john colwell 1:19PM (12/29/2008)
Go Ford The SHO Was A Very Good Car Kinda A Sleeper You might Say.
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vipercrazy 1:24PM (12/29/2008)
man that steering wheel is a looker
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Steve Bennet 1:43PM (12/29/2008)
Seems like they found the ford tempo parts bin...
styleguy 2:02PM (12/29/2008)
I hope your joking
marc 1:27PM (12/29/2008)
Now there is a domestic car that I might actually buy
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Talisman 1:35PM (12/29/2008)
I dont see any way to change gears on this car. I hope thats not the case in the production version.
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Jimbo 1:40PM (12/29/2008)
I was thinking the same thing. While I generally think manual trannies are overrated, I would hope there would be a manumatic function and/or paddle shifters on their "performance" model.
John 3:57AM (1/25/2009)
Um, even the '10 SEL and Limited will have paddle shifters, so you can bet that a performance version will as well.
Ford is planning a performance version of the Fusion, but why call it a SHO? SHO is instantly recognizable as a performance version of the Ford Taurus. No other Ford has been called SHO. Makes perfect sense that the performance version of their Taurus flagship sedan would have the SHO name.
Psipwrd 2:13PM (12/29/2008)
The tach redline has no color, so it's no way to tell what the redline is. The n/a 3.5's redline is 6700 and i think the ecoboost is 6200.
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typhoon5000 7:10PM (12/29/2008)
I see red on the tach at about 6700rpm if look closely at the zoomed in pic of the tach.
Chase 2:43PM (12/29/2008)
You know, I'd personally be more interested in a Fusion SHO, but if I were Ford, I'd be putting that kind of power in a Lincoln. An S4-competitor from Lincoln would really give the brand some street credit.
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SteveJ 2:44PM (12/29/2008)
Did they get the centerstack buttons from GM? I'm sure I've seen them in a Cobalt, Aveo, Hummer, Silverado, Escalade, and Malibu.
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Matt 2:55PM (12/29/2008)
If this thing was RWD...and not some weak FWD based AWD...then It would b on the list for my next car.
But that FWD/AWD is a deal killer. If I wanted a performance FWD/AWD, I would buy a Cobalt SS.
Solid base hit for Ford...but 350HP through the Front wheels is a grave no-no.
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Nellydesign 4:34PM (12/29/2008)
Since the Cobalt is thousands less and has no AWD I'm not sure what your point is. Either way this car would never be available with FWD. AWD only. If it's good enough for Audi and nobody complains about them why is it such a big deal when it's Ford? The truth is the majority of buyers will choose AWD over RWD no matter what size the car is. Sure the performance purist wants RWD but it's just not practical for every day driving. I drove a 300c for a weekend and got 2" of snow. I couldn't even back out of my parking space.