Chicago 2009: SHO History - The real reason Ford had Yamaha's V6 lying around
In case you haven't noticed, there will always be a place in our hearts for the Taurus SHO, and news that the car is headed back to production has at least one staffer in something approaching a dream state. But if you ever really thought about it, it doesn''t really make too much sense that Ford would commission a high-revving V6 for its family hauler. As it turns out, Ford had grander plans for the 220 horsepower Yamaha engine. In 1984, Ford brass green-lighted an all-new, mid engine sports car to compete with exotics from Europe. The car was being tested and engineered by Roush and Ford signed a contract with Yamaha to build the engine. By 1986, Ford had bigger priorities, and the GN34 project was shelved to make room for the first Ford Explorer. Judging from the Explorer's incredible success in the Nineties, we'd say that Ford made the right call.
With GN34 scuttled, Ford scrapped all but two of the mid engine prototypes (Jack Roush has both of the Pantera-influenced models in his private collection), but there was still the matter of a signed contract with Yamaha. Instead of putting the powerful 3.0L engine under the hood of the Mustang or Thunderbird, Ford made the decision to instead turn the Taurus into the sport sedan we know and love. It's hard to say if the GN34 would have ever become a hit, but few can deny the impact the SHO had on the automotive landscape.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
[Source: Automobile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
pmalik 2:02PM (2/12/2009)
It looks like something I would use to build a fake Lamborghini....
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Randy 4:16PM (2/12/2009)
That's the comment of the quarter! LOL
This Yamaha / Ford deal and the way it panned out is something I did not know! I'm happy I learned something today! And I guess that the SHO was way to keep a deal! And what a deal it turned out to be!
I can't wait for the 2010 Taurus SHO to hit the streets! It's so nice...
BoxerFanatic 2:03PM (2/12/2009)
Damn.
I was just thinking yesterday, after reading the comments section on the previous SHO articles, where people were talking about the original V6 and V8 SHO engines...
That man, those would be cool in a longitudinal mid-engined layout sports car, with a robust transaxle, and the engines tuned up to their potential...
Now it appears Ford chickened out on that very concept, instead of making it for me...
We need more real-world affordable mid-engined sports cars, for enthusiasts like me!!!
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Stumpy 2:05PM (2/12/2009)
Like an updated version of the old MR2 Coupe! Around $25,000. Light weight, about 220HP... Mmmmm MMmm good.
BoxerFanatic 2:35PM (2/12/2009)
Have to agree, there, Stumpy... I want one of those, or an NSX...
I wish there were an option for longitudinal mounted drivetrain, though... I have to wait until the Cayman S with PDK and LSD comes down in used value... :D
I wonder if the Yamaha V6 or V8 from previous SHOs would fit in an SW20 MR2... hmmm.....
Jake B 4:27PM (2/12/2009)
Nothing quite like transporting bodies in the front of your car!
JS 2:09PM (2/12/2009)
I love it! The original and the new SHO are(were) going to be great car's. I like how it's Twin-Turbo as well. Might have a new S4 fighter for those of you that ever got the chance to play with an early 00' Audi S4.
In the hands of the aftermarket this will be the new performance sedan for all American enthusiast out there. Can't wait to see someone take it to the strip!
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geo.stewart 2:14PM (2/12/2009)
i think the fusion svt (yeah, I'm waiting for it) would be closer to an S4 fighter, the taurus is way too big.
benzaholic 2:17PM (2/12/2009)
Isn't the modern Taurus about the size of an Audi A8?
How do you see the new SHO being an S4 competitor?
And from the few new-SHO pix I've looked at, I'd say the designers had way too much Red Bull, went crazy on the front fenders, then fell asleep and left the rest of the car alone. Except for the one designer who drank 5-Hour Energy instead, and he lasted long enough to throw a bunch of shapes at the hood.
David H. 2:41PM (2/12/2009)
OMG BENZAHOLIC The new SHO design is perfect wtf are you talking about!!!!! Anything with a SHO badge on it ruuuuullllles.
Nah, but seriously. What's with all this hype over a land-boat with a lot of horsepower? This is nothing like the original at all. A great car, sure, but it's name is a misnomer.
Johnny 2:19PM (2/12/2009)
I wish the 2010 SHO had a manual as an option.
I need that third pedal to make my blood boil!
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Chiefstang 2:31PM (2/12/2009)
I never knew that. I guess that's why the engine looked so out of place under the hood of the Taurus. Don't get me wrong, I loved the SHO, but anybody who ever popped the hood on one of those let out the same "WTF!" comment that I did. The engine looked like it came from an exotic, more precisely Charley Sheen's ride in that old "Wraith" movie. Straight from NASA, and into a Taurus! Cool story.
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BoxerFanatic 2:46PM (2/12/2009)
The Interceptor in The Wraith was a very cool car, aside from the fact that you could see through the undercarriage in some shots. :lol:
It was a penta-star, though... the logo was molded into the front of the car.
Too bad Chrysler didn't come through on that one, either.
Alex 2:30PM (2/12/2009)
That would have been asweome. Sadly the only 80s/90s MR layout mass-produced american car was the Fiero. This would have been a sports car with the credentials to match.
Too bad the economy is in the toilet. It would be fun to them work on one today for the ecoboost V6.
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DJ 2:32PM (2/12/2009)
My, how times have changed. In 1984, 229HP was "high output" for a V6. Today, it's an above average 4 banger and V6's are frequently hitting 300HP and above without turbo or supercharging. Granted, those are 3.5L V6's typically, not a
3.0L
Then again, how far has Yamaha really come?. The Yamaha 4.4L in my Volvo is 45% larger in displacement, but at 311HP, only 35% more powerful.
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scottyyyc 2:46PM (2/12/2009)
I wouldn't judge Yamaha by the tech in 1 engine or 1 car. Yamaha puts out some pretty amazing engines. Obviously, there not a huge player in the car scene, but they're a massive player in the motorsport scene. They put out 1L inline-4 bike engines that crank out 190bhp.
Different manufacturers their strengths. Some get more HP per liter than others..
BoxerFanatic 2:50PM (2/12/2009)
Too bad Yamaha didn't build their mid-engined concept sports car.
1992 Yamaha OX99-11 Concept
That would have been very cool, too, with one of Yamaha's engines in it.
Amazing how many mid-engined concepts never see production... kind of sad, really. I love mid-engined layouts for 2-seat (or 1 or 3 seat) sports cars.
IOMTT 2:59PM (2/12/2009)
How does 230-240 HP out of 800ccs ( about 50 cubic inches ) of naturally aspirated inline 4 strike you? Of course I am speaking about the Yamaha MotoGp engine!
scottyyyc 2:35PM (2/12/2009)
The thing that amazes me about the new Taurus and SHO, is that it's a car I would actually consider getting, and can say that with a straight face. The new Taurus us such an improvement over the usual rank-and-file sleeping pills that Ford's been putting out over the past decade. I'm by no means a fanboy of any camp, but for the past several years I just can't bring myself to get excited over any of Ford's vehicles.
It looks like a great car, I'll be interested to see how it does. I'm in the market for a reasonably priced 4 door sedan in the next couple years, and would normally just default to an accord, but I can actually say I'll be giving the Taurus a [serious] look. Interior looks good, exterior doesn't look cheap, decent fuel efficient engines. Nice.
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Tim 2:38PM (2/12/2009)
The SHO on the automotive landscape HUH? Stuff a large engine into a car that overwhelms the Chassis. What similar products followed?
The M3 which came in around the same time had much more of a lasting impact.
As for the S4 comment. You got to be kidding the Taurus is fat bloated and soft. The old S4 will run circles around any Taurus and be there an hour early when they both go into the shop for major repairs.
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