Not SHO-wy Enough? Ford reportedly working on tweaks to better distinguish range-topping Taurus
2010 Ford Taurus SHO – Click above for high-res image gallery
In our review of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, you may recall our charge that while the resurrected SHO is surely a great performance bargain for a big executive sedan, it doesn't earn its SHO-ness. There's a certain quality lacking that the original possessed, a uniqueness, of which the new SHO is bereft. Sure, it's powerful and plush and well appointed, but what makes it anything more than a Ford Taurus EcoBoost?
Car and Driver is claiming that inside sources have confirmed that Ford now agrees with our assessment. According to C&D, Ford used focus groups to help determine how differentiated the SHO should be from a standard Taurus, and when no consensus was found, they erred on the side of the caution – and lower cost – and gave the Taurus halo sedan only minor visual tweaks.
After seeing how the new SHO has been received by critics and the public, Ford is reportedly preparing a substantial visual rework of the SHO for the 2012 model year. While no specifics were offered, the inside source did divulge that new wheels were a lock (modern slicers, please!). As to why they don't roll out these changes on the 2011 model, C&D suggests that it would look like Ford was admitting a mistake had been made if they reacted too quickly, and it also sounds as if some of the changes may require more than a model year to develop.
Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
[Source: Car and Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Brian 11:29AM (9/22/2009)
Wow, sales must already be in the tank.
I'm sure the most common reaction is "I'm paying HOW MUCH for a TAURUS!?"
Another Ford Failure.
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Yaroukh 11:43AM (9/22/2009)
Usually when you, Brian, are sure about something it turns out to be utter non-sense. Like when you talk about FoMoCo's cash-burn, BWHAHA.
Brian 11:46AM (9/22/2009)
I'm not the only one saying this, Yaroukh:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ford-ceo-alan-mulally/
And just wait until this month's sales numbers. With all the demand C4C pulled forward, it will be especially brutal for Ford. They're going to take a big hammering.
madtuscan 12:11PM (9/22/2009)
'...big executive sedan..."
HIHIHIHIHIHI breath HIHIHIHIHIHI
HIHIHIHIHIHI HIHIHIHIHIHI
HIHIHIHIHIHI breath HIHIHIHIHIHI
HIHIHIHIHIHI HIHIHIHIHIHI
Mr.TiredOfEconomicDownturn 12:59PM (9/22/2009)
Well, see, no matter how correct your point may be, people will STILL hate you for being a Ford-bashing tool.
daleam 1:45PM (9/22/2009)
Please stop with theliesaboutcars.com already, you goddamned troll.
polo 2:19PM (9/22/2009)
This is another huge failure. WHERE IS THE DAM PLUG?? Slap a li-ion battery in there to justify that price Ford, or people will not buy your game.
merlot066 5:57PM (9/22/2009)
Let's put that a different way Brian...
I'm paying $38k for a 365 hp, AWD, 0-60 in 5.2 seconds Taurus?
or
I'm paying $37k for a FWD Toyota Avalon?!?
I'm guessing you'd rather blow 37,000 on the Avalon...
the4thheat 10:34PM (9/22/2009)
A little silly to be comparing it to the Avalon though, no? I mean the current Avalon is from 2005, and you have to REALLY go out of your way to get it up to $37K.
Maybe the regular Taurus can be compared to the Avalon but I don't see how it makes sense to be comparing the SHO to it. And frankly I would hope a brand new vehicle can beat a 5 year old car or something is really wrong.
At any rate only lunatics buy $37K Avalons and even Toyota knows it.
merlot066 9:48AM (9/23/2009)
That's the price for an Avalon limited, and I've seen quite a few of them. People like to complain about the price of the SHO, but compared to other well equiped full size cars it's right around the middle price-wise, yet it offers more options and performance than all of them.
MadOx75 11:30AM (9/22/2009)
OK, I know I'm gonna get killed for this here, but I like the wheels on the new "SHO". I don't know how much you can modernize those slicers to make them look good on a current model car....
Fire away!
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Other Man 12:25PM (9/22/2009)
Oh I completely agree. In fact I think they're one of the best SHO add-ons.
I plan on driving an SHO when a local dealer has one, but just for kicks and giggles (I don't really want a car that large even though I'm in the market for a sedan). From what I read it needs the following:
- more rear-biased AWD
- more engine and exhaust assertiveness
- sportier demeanor in steering, braking, etc
But otherwise it's a fine choice if not priced a bit ambitiously.
Ligor 12:42PM (9/22/2009)
I only can think of 'brakes' and 'engine sound'
the original did not even have AWD, so that can't be one of hte things to make it more Showw worthy adn the steering on the new one is already a ton better
everyone has been complaining about the breaks adn surely they do take more than one year to make sure they are designed and work propertly adn have the necessary reliability, although this one can quickly be fixed by getting some better aftermarket parts for much cheaper than Ford will give you the Brembo ones they likely will put on it
Dill 11:42AM (9/22/2009)
I love the new Taurus!
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Dave 11:34AM (9/22/2009)
You mean all the high school and college kids who went out and bought a 10-15 year old SHO because they were 5 when it actually came out can't afford a $40k Taurus, and that performance enthusiasts who have $40k to blow on a performance-oriented ride don't want to...well...pay $40k for a jacked up family sedan that sits like a crossover?
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Brian 11:39AM (9/22/2009)
Dave NAILS it. Finally someone who is objective about Ford besides Matt.
Pokey 12:59PM (9/22/2009)
@ Brian,
Yet he gets rated up, and you get rated down. Do you see a pattern here?
I am guessing Dave probably rated you down just because you agreed with him.
By the way Brian, you should really look up the definition of the term objective. You are far from objective, you are biased and nothing more. The only other commenter on here that even comes close to matching your ignorance is Matt. You guys were made for eachother.
Rick 4:45PM (9/22/2009)
Dave- I agree completely. Not sure who the target Ford is after with this one. I'd go after the Mustang-but-want-4-doors crowd. Not the I want a Taurus-but-it-drives-to-slow soccer moms?
Dan 5:48PM (9/22/2009)
The base price on the 2010 SHO is $37,170. The 1989 SHO was $19,700 -- which, adjusted for inflation, is $34,289. Not much of a difference.
CaptPugwash 11:49AM (9/22/2009)
I've been lucky enough to have been in a SHO Taurus 3-4 months ago and I like that its understated in the same way and "M" BMW is.
The only thing I'd wish they would do would be to tweak the suspension to make it more sports tuned.
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