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2013 Ford Taurus SHO

Zach Bowman — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, New Car Reviews

The Most Fun You Can Have In A Full-Size, All-Weather American

The American full-size segment isn't an overly welcoming place for those of us who worship at the altar of skinny-pedal antics. While European automakers are happy to deliver their customers a raft of monolithic luxury barges with Saturn V levels of thrust, We The People have been largely left with coma-inducing hardware like the Cadillac DTS, Chevrolet Impala and Lincoln MKS. Meanwhile, bruisers like the Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic, BMW 550i xDrive and Audi A6 all boast all-wheel drive capability with sports-car besting performance cocooned in the threads of a tailored three-piece suit. These days, if you want serious big-car, bad-weather go with a domestic badge on the hood, you have just a few options, including the 2013 Taurus SHO.

So far, Ford says it hasn't had any trouble convincing buyers to abandon traditional big-boned performance vehicles for the SHO resurrection. Around 10 percent of all Taurus sales leave the showroom with a SHO badge on the fender, and half of the performance sedan's sales have been conquest buyers sniped from brands like BMW and Audi. For 2013, this D-class athlete boasts a slew of mid-cycle changes to keep the model fresh. If, like us, you have a hard time imagining a buyer skipping the 5 Series for a Taurus, a few new exterior tweaks, a more aggressive brake system, a reworked version of MyFord Touch and a new track performance package are all designed to help change your mind.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Taurus SHO

2013 Ford Taurus SHO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus SHO gets $1,045 price increase

Zach Bowman — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Ford

Ford has announced pricing for the refreshed 2013 Taurus SHO, and buyers can look forward to paying a little more for the big performance sedan. Inside Line reports the price has inched up to $39,995 including destination, or $1,045 more than the 2012 model.

As before, that kind of cash will buy you a turbocharged, direct-injection Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6 good for 365 horsepower as well as a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. If that isn't enough to raise your eyebrows, Ford is continuing to offer the SHO performance package, complete with a more robust cooling system, more serious brake hardware and flashy 20-inch wheels.

Of course, that package also throws in a traction control system with a true 'off' mode. Yes, we're grinning from ear to ear. Unfortunately, the performance package has also climbed a bit compared to last year. The pieces will set you back $1,995, or about a grand more than in 2012.

2013 Ford Taurus SHO gets $1,045 price increase originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPS truck gets SHO transplant, flame job

Zach Bowman — Sun, 08 May 2011 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc.

When it comes to getting packages where they're going, few crews are more on point than the team at UPS. Whether it's across the state or around the world, Brown gets your gear where it's going with a quickness. The company has used a fleet of proprietary delivery trucks since 1966, but judging from what American Trucker just discovered, someone's been turning some wrenches after hours. As it turns out, UPS has its own Hot Rod delivery special. Along with one wicked flame paint job and wild wheels, the beast packs something truly under its fiberglass hood.

Instead of a tired old diesel mill, a super-high output Ford Racing V8 dumps 500 horsepower on the rear wheels via a manual gearbox. As if that wasn't enough to raise some eyebrows, the engine supposedly runs off of straight alcohol for a clean-burning machine that can light the rear rubber on command. We dig the truck, but if it were ours, we'd be rocking stock wheels and a standard coat of UPS brown paint for the ultimate sleeper. Head over to SPEED to check out the video for yourself.

UPS truck gets SHO transplant, flame job originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 May 2011 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Taurus SHO spotted in the wild - are there 400 horses underhood?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Ford

2012 Ford Taurus SHO spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our elite squad of spy photographers has managed to nab a few photos of the 2012 Ford Taurus SHO splashing through the rain. Word on the street is that Ford has a few aesthetic changes for the sedan in the pipes as well as a serious boost in power. Steve Ling, the company's North American car marketing manager, recently dropped a big-fat hint that the SHO would soon boast 400 ponies. That's a full 35 more horsepower than the current generation SHO, though word is that the extra pep will come from the same Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6 engine.

In addition to the new muscle, it looks like the 2012 Taurus SHO will wear new headlights as well as re-sculpted front valance. A new cross-hatch grille is shown in these shots, and a slightly altered hood may also be in plat. The whole package is intended to give the SHO a little more breathing room from the rest of its more subdued kin. That's all well and good, but we're still convinced the SHO needs better brakes more than it needs additional power. Hopefully improved stoppers are part of the 2012 updo as well.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Taurus SHO Spy Shots

[Source: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Taurus SHO spotted in the wild - are there 400 horses underhood? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Ford Taurus SHOx prescribed for power, side effects include bleeding ears

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Ford

2011 Ford Taurus "SHOx" - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rick Bottom Designs was given the keys to a 2011 Ford Taurus SHO and the custom car builder decided it wanted to hear more from the Blue Oval sedan. The 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6 has been bumped up by a Hahn Racecraft Stage 1 upgrade package, meaning this SHO is now putting out 465 hp. Re-christened as the SHOx, further modifications include a performance exhaust system, cold air intake kit, large Baer brakes hidden behind 22-inch Axiom forged wheels and a custom body kit.

It's not the engine, however, that is making all the noise. We said Rick Bottom Designs wanted to hear more from the car... so the tuner installed a 16,000 Watt stereo system capable of blaring the most intense block-rockin' beats. The car has been modified to a two-plus-two seating arrangement, and we imagine that potential fifth passenger will be glad they now have to walk, since all his or her Taurus SHOx-riding friends are going to be deaf. Cover your ears and check out the SHOx live from SEMA in our gallery below.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ford Taurus "SHOx"

SEMA 2010: Ford Taurus SHOx prescribed for power, side effects include bleeding ears originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Christopher A. Smith — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

2010 Ford Taurus SHO Convention highlights - Click above for high-res image gallery

Blue Oval execs rolled out the red carpet for Taurus SHO owners last week in Dearborn, MI to welcome 100 privately owned examples and many more enthusiasts to town for the 19th annual national Taurus SHO convention. Ford would love nothing more than to win the approval of the already rabid SHO enthusiast community, many of whom appreciate the performance potential of two turbos and all-wheel drive but aren't necessarily on board with the new super-sized model. To that end, Ford dropped some not-so-subtle hints on what could be in store for the next SHO, a model rumored to be on deck for 2013.

"365 horsepower is good. 400 is better."

"The SHO is at the top [of Ford's performance sedan lineup] and we're going to keep it there," said Steve Ling, Ford's North American car marketing manager during a Tuesday lunch presentation at Ford World Headquarters. "365 horsepower is good. 400 is better."

Advanced Engine Design and Development Engineer Brett Hinds spoke at length about the EcoBoost V6 during the Tuesday presentation, noting that the 3.5-liter engine had the potential for considerably more power, as we'll likely see later this year between the fenders of the F-150. That version of the EcoBoost will definitely produce more torque than the SHO's mill, but if the rumors of 400 horsepower for the F-150 are true, a more muscular SHO could indeed be just around the corner.

Gallery: 2010 Taurus SHO convention highlights

Continue reading Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO-under-glass engine swap [w/videos]

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Videos, Lotus

1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO conversion - Click above for high-res image gallery.

Strap yourself in, kids - we're in for a whole new fresh batch of awesome. In the world of motor swaps, the Chevrolet 350 will slide its way into anything with four wheels (and some with just two). The Yamaha 3.0-liter V6 found in the first-generation Ford Taurus SHO, on the other hand, is a completely different story. That little bit of kit is only content to power the world's most capable platforms, and since it boasts one of the sexiest intake arrays to ever roll out of a Detroit/Hamamatsu mashup, it looks right at home in the engine bay of, say a 1980 Lotus Esprit.

Which works out, since that's exactly what one intrepid eBay seller has managed to create - a SHO-powered Esprit. The engine uses all of the periphery associated with the front-wheel drive Taurus, including the engine management, but is bolted to the Lotus five-speed gearbox. The seller even says all of the factory gauges remain in place and work accordingly - something most Esprits of this era can't boast - even without a heart transplant. Assuming the Taurus mill is still churning out the same 220 horsepower it made from the factory, you're guaranteed a modest bump over the factory output. Buy it now sits at $15,000.

Sounds like good Mr. Neff has found the perfect replacement for his flawless SHO. Hit the jump for a video walkaround, including the chance to hear this odd British/American/Japanese hybrid firing up.

Gallery: Lotus Esprit SHO

[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO-under-glass engine swap [w/videos]

eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO-under-glass engine swap [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Ford Taurus SHO wagon is the apple of our eye

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Ford, Design/Style

Many of us who sit around the Autoblog campfire every day are fans of station wagons. We love cars and love the idea of having some extra utility without giving up the generally superior driving dynamics of cars versus SUVs or crossovers. We also like the idea - if not necessarily the execution - of the Ford Taurus SHO.

Being aware of that fact, one of our readers put his Photoshop skills to work and created the rendering you see here of a SHO wagon. Ford, of course, has never officially built an official SHO wagon - either with the current model or with its predecessors. Naturally, there have been some aftermarket and homebuilt conversions over the years, and even at least one that we know of that was built inside Dearborn.

Of course, building a wagon off of previous models was substantially easier because Ford actually marketed a wagon bodystyle in the first couple of Taurus iterations. Not so with today's massive-yet-handsome sedan. Judging by reader Josiah's rendering above, that's a real shame, because the 2010 Taurus could really put some of its continental bulk to good load-lugging effect with an estate variant. Unfortunately, we'll likely never see anything like this slick wagon produced. The closest we figure to get is an Ecoboost Flex, which isn't exactly a bad alternative. Thanks for the great rendering, Josiah!

[Source: JosiahLacolla.com]

Rendered Speculation: Ford Taurus SHO wagon is the apple of our eye originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford altering Taurus model mix to build more SEL, SHO models

Chris Shunk — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for high-res image gallery

When a new model hits the market, auto manufacturers typically release higher-option models out of the gate to maximize early profits. In short, if you're jonesin' to get into an all-new product, you often pay a content premium to be one of the first to get said new car or truck. In a good market, that makes sense, but since 2009 has been a sales disaster for automakers, it was understandable that Ford chose to make more lower-spec 2010 Tauruses than normal. Despite the challenging financial climate, as it turns out, many dealers are clamoring for more high content models.

Automotive News is reporting that dealers are short on SEL and SHO variants of the new Taurus. Marketing chief Jim Farley reportedly told a group of reporters at a press event that the situation was "a problem for our dealers." Overall inventory of the Taurus is solid, with the typical dealer holding a 60-70 day supply of the plus-sized sedans - but some dealers have reportedly waited up to 80 days for certain custom orders.

Given how much more upscale the 2010 model is over the last model, this can be seen as a victory of sorts for the Blue Oval, as it wasn't clear that consumers would welcome back the Taurus nameplate on any car, much less one with loftier aspirations and price tags. That said, all is not puppy dogs and ice cream - Taurus sales are down 22 percent year-over-year (selling 38,361 units through November), although whether that is because of the economy or the car itself remains up for discussion.

Ford dealers are reportedly also running short on F-150 Double Cab models as market demand was misjudged by product planners.

One vehicle that may help Ford to pick the right mix out of the gate is the Fiesta. Ford has gained over 80,000 hand-raisers for what will soon be the Blue Oval's smallest US vehicle and the "Fiesta Movement" has helped the automaker get a lot more data on what kinds of variants customers expect. If the Fiesta launch goes as planned, we're thinking Ford will take similar steps to market other products in the future.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

REPORT: Ford altering Taurus model mix to build more SEL, SHO models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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24 Hours of LeMons announces 2009 Season Champions

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Ford

Another day in LeMons paradise - click above to view hi-res image gallery

In case you missed it, the 2009 LeMons season ground to a halt a few weeks back at Thunderhill after the third running of the Arse-Freeze-A-Palooza (full disclosure -- I work as a Judge for the 24 Hours of LeMons). Filthy 2009 proved to be a pretty hectic season for LeMons, what with ten $500 car races at various ~~mud pits~~ locales around this great country of ours. However, '09 will pale in comparison to the frenzied, property-devaluing idiocy that the 21-race 2010 season is sure to bring. We'd like to apologize to our understanding women-folk and potential home buyers in general in advance.

Still, the 2009 season was filled with all the wonderful elements that make LeMons the fastest growing motorsport in the world: namely, fires, terrible driving, whiny drivers, cheating mechanics and totally excellent BBQ. Oh, and lots of cars blowing the hell apart. You'll learn all about this year's champs after the jump, but we'd just like to point out that the 2009 Deconstructor Championship belongs to Ford. If you don't know, the Deconstructor goes to the manufacturer that builds the cars that blow up the most often.

Why Ford? Mostly for the numerous SHOs that lunched their engines and transmissions all over various LeMons paddocks, coast to coast. To quote LeMons' second banana, Nick Pon, after he strolled through a typical three SHO/three dead cars pit in Louisiana, "Looks like someone tossed a Taurus grenade in here." Just seems to be the Taurus's week for winning awards. OK -- now make the jump.

Gallery: 2009 24 Hours of LeMons Champs plus Thunderhill

Continue reading 24 Hours of LeMons announces 2009 Season Champions

24 Hours of LeMons announces 2009 Season Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO

Drew Phillips — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Performance, Ford

Ford Taurus Concepts at the 2009 SEMA Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

We didn't expect much from Ford's new fulls-size four-door at this year's SEMA show, but the quartet of Taurus Concepts were actually pretty impressive. The design lends itself better to customization than we might've thought, and we wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few owners personalizing the look of their cars.

The favorite Taurus around the Autoblog camp seemed to be the SHO built by Mobsteel with its sinister Jet Black paint, subtle body kit, and a 400 horsepower version of the EcoBoost V6. We also (surprisingly) liked the one built by Funkmaster Flex, along with the clean and simple SHO from MRT-Direct. You can see all four cars in our gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus Concepts

SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

John Neff — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, Ford, Humor

SHO vs. SHO - Click above to watch video after the jump

As we reported yesterday, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien last night. The comic host still owns and drives his beloved 1992 SHO, claiming it's the finest car ever built, so Ford invited him to Galpin Motors in Los Angeles to check out the new one. Amy Marentic from Ford is his tour guide and does a great job keeping up with the jokes, at one point refusing to massage Conan's neck where the multi-contoured massaging seats won't reach.

After trying out the new SHO, Conan shows Amy what's up with a tour of his own 1992 SHO - "The Beast" - that's parked right beside. We won't ruin all the laughs for you, suffice it to say that Ford got some sweet product placement in a skit that makes you chuckle more than it tries to sell you a car. Follow the jump to watch old SHO vs. new SHO for yourself.

[Source: NBC]

Continue reading VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not SHO-wy Enough? Ford reportedly working on tweaks to better distinguish range-topping Taurus

John Neff — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

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]

Not SHO-wy Enough? Ford reportedly working on tweaks to better distinguish range-topping Taurus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO gets measured against the original

John Neff — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, New Car Reviews

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's a small group of enthusiasts who worship a car you just wouldn't expect: the original Ford Taurus SHO. And I'm one of them. After years of searching for an example in good shape, I bought my very first vintage SHO, a 1991 Ford Taurus SHO Plus model (we'll explain what the "Plus" means later) earlier this year. At the same time, somewhere in a secluded Dearborn bunker, Ford was planning to announce that the SHO name would return with the redesigned 2010 Taurus. Clearly, 2009 was shaping up as a big year for SHO fans - especially me.

Thus, it was beyond argument in the virtual halls of Autoblog HQ that the task of reviewing the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO would fall to yours truly - but could an unabashed SHO fan pass judgment on the resurrection of his all-time favorite car without bias? You can judge for yourself after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO gets measured against the original

Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO gets measured against the original originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2010 Taurus SHO breaks into the 13s

Chris Shunk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO at Epping Dragway: Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2010 Taurus SHO packs 365 horsepower courtesy of its twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, but something about the sheer size of Ford's full-size sedan tells us that it doesn't quite belong on the track. That didn't stop one man from taking the 21st century SHO to New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire to try his luck in a straight-line foot race.

The massive SHO took its spot at the left starting gate against a Fox body Mustang of undetermined modification, and when the tree turned green, the 4,300-pound Taurus gave its fellow Ford all it could handle. Hit the jump to watch the 2010 Taurus SHO notch a credible 13.92 at 100 mph at Epping. Since we've already seen the 350 horsepower EcoBoost MKS hit 13.9 at Milan dragway in Michigan, we're guessing the SHO Taurus was either bone stock or only modestly modified. Hat tip to Brian.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: Bang Shift]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Taurus SHO breaks into the 13s

VIDEO: 2010 Taurus SHO breaks into the 13s originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO offers excellence without emotion

Chris Paukert — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, First Drives

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for high-res image gallery

Incendiary Statement of the Day: American automakers haven't made many good sport sedans. It isn't because we can't build 'em - it's just that for one reason or another, U.S. automakers have historically refused to take the segment seriously, all but ceding it to the Europeans and the Japanese.

Thankfully, the Detroit 3 have produced some models that buck the trend, and even better for us, most of them are recent offerings. Cadillac's stonking new CTS-V isn't just a sport sedan - dollar-for-dollar, it may very well be the best in the world. Pontiac's G8 GT and GXP are two excellent examples, and Chrysler's 300C SRT8 and Charger SRT8 make decent cases for themselves, although they're arguably more muscle cars in sedan wrappers than four-door barnstormers. What else is there? In the last 25 years or so, not a whole lot. Once you get past the first-gen CTS and perhaps the Lincoln LS, you're dealing with short-lived, small-volume factory skunkworks models like the Dodge Spirit R/T and SRT4, as well as the Ford Contour SVT. In fact, you're skating on thin (sport compact) ice... until you get to the first- and second-generation Taurus SHO of the late-Eighties to mid-Nineties.

Ah, the Taurus SHO. While it's probably true that the fog of time has conspired to give us a rosier view of the 1989-1991 SHO and the 1992-1995 model that followed the original, few would deny that its spirited 220-horsepower Yamaha-sourced 3.0-liter V6 was anything less than a wondrous engine, or that the standard Taurus' revolutionary slipstream bodywork and tidy dimensions lent itself well to the genre's ethos. Further, for an American mid-size sport sedan, it was the only game in town, yet it acquitted itself handsomely against contemporary Nissan Maximas, and pricier competitors like the BMW 3-Series.

The SHO took a wrong turn (as did the entire Taurus franchise) with the softer V8-powered 1996 third-generation model, and slow sales saw the model expire by 1999. A decade has passed since that car went off to the Great Crusher in the Sky, and now Ford has returned with an altogether different SHO for 2010. Does it live up to the original, or is it more in keeping with the underwhelming model that preceded it so long ago? Let's find out.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO offers excellence without emotion

First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO offers excellence without emotion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 2010 Taurus SHO to receive involuntary restyling

Chris Shunk — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford

Smashed 2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for image gallery

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO hasn't even gone on sale yet, and already an example of the twin-turbo sedan is sitting in the body shop. Chicago SVT member The Beast alleges that the once elegant-looking red SHO had barely left the lot on dealer demo rounds, only to return shortly after in a flat-bed. The brand-new SHO was reportedly involved in a three-car pileup, leading to some serious damage to an otherwise swell sports sedan.

We don't know the exact details of the incident, but whatever happened during the crash left the freshly christened SHO with a well-mangled rear including a hosed trunk and bumper, along with a fairly substantial ding to the front fascia. Click on the image above or the gallery below to view the crash damage in more detail.

Gallery: Smashed 2010 Taurus SHO

[Source: Chicago SVT]

First 2010 Taurus SHO to receive involuntary restyling originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Taurus SHO configurator comes online, many new pics

John Neff — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for new high-res image gallery

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is almost here, which is music to the ear of any SHO fan (*raises hand*). We'll be getting our first drive in one, along with the standard Taurus, later this week, but our appetites have been whetted thanks to a slew of new images released today and the launch of the 2010 Taurus car configurator on Ford's website.

We jumped right in to build a loaded SHO painted Atlantis Green as a tribute to the original, and the price tag came to $45,175 (Note: the Taurus SHO base price is $37,170). That may sound like a massive sum for a Blue Oval sedan, but check the specs and you'll see that the 365-hp SHO comes with more power, entertainment and tech features than any of its competitors with an accent - and for a whole lot less, too.

We've updated both galleries below with many new Taurus and Taurus SHO pics, so browse around before you go building your own. Thanks for the tip, Howard!

Note: As a special treat for true SHO fans, we snagged some images of the SHO in Atlantis Green from the configurator since Ford has yet to release any official shots of the car wearing this iconic SHO color. They're not the greatest shots, but they're all we've got for now.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: Ford]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO configurator comes online, many new pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Esquire publishes first driving impressions of 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

John Neff — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for high-res image gallery

Though Esquire isn't normally considered a car mag, it does have enough clout to get Ford to cough up the keys to a brand new 2010 Taurus SHO. The 365-hp sleeper sedan was named the magazine's first ever Car of the Year and had to be driven in order to be considered. Along with the award, Esquire has just published the first driving impressions of the SHO penned by Automobile columnist and all-around cool car guy Ezra Dyer.

Unfortunately, the 874-word article contains only 100 words devoted to how the SHO actually drives, so the impression we get isn't a very deep one. But it is the first and, needless to say, Ezra was impressed, throwing out comparisons to the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.

You may be wondering when you'll read our own First Drive of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. We'll be behind the wheel of the entire 2010 Taurus line late next week, but driving impressions for the SHO are embargoed until Wednesday, July 22. Word around the water cooler is that this embargo may be shaky since Esquire has already published driving impressions of the SHO, regardless of how few details were revealed. Keep an eye out either way.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: Esquire]

Esquire publishes first driving impressions of 2010 Ford Taurus SHO originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AOL Autos snags ride in 2010 Taurus SHO with Ford's only female dynamics engineer

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO gets air - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Our lucky compatriots at AOL Autos had the chance to get some passenger-seat time in the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, along with a glimpse into the inner-workings of FoMoCo's engineering team. The story centers around Ford's only female Vehicle Dynamics Development Engineer, Christina "Crissy" Rodriguez, who's "equal parts engineer, race driver and vehicle psychologist."

During her 12-year stint at Ford, Rodriguez has been instrumental in the development of a number of vehicles and has spent the last eight years tuning the chassis that underpins the new Taurus, along with its platform siblings, the Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex.

The final third of the article gets into the performance and dynamics of the SHO, where Rodriguez takes AOL Auto's Rex Roy for a spin around Ford's Dearborn proving grounds. While its not a comprehensive review of the hottest Taurus in over a decade, Roy reports that the six-speed automatic shifts smoothly and quickly, forward momentum is electric, the sonorous sounds from the engine are top-notch and, most telling, "the faster Rodriguez drove, the smaller the Taurus seemed to get..." Sounds like a winning combination so far, and you can read the full "First Ride" here.

Gallery: First Ride: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: AOL Autos | Image Source: Ford, Rex Roy]

AOL Autos snags ride in 2010 Taurus SHO with Ford's only female dynamics engineer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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