Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-ford-taurus-puts-on-a-good-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-ford-taurus-puts-on-a-good-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-ford-taurus-puts-on-a-good-sho/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Ford Taurus2010 Ford Taurus SHO2010FordTaurus2010FordTaurusShoFordFord TaurusFord Taurus SHOFordTaurusFordTaurusShoMobsteelMRT-DirectSEMASEMA 2009Sema showSema2009SemaShowSHOTaurusTaurus SHOTaurusShoFri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on <i>The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/taurus-sho-conan-obrien-the-tonight-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/taurus-sho-conan-obrien-the-tonight-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/taurus-sho-conan-obrien-the-tonight-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurusShoconan o-brienConanO-brienfordford taurusford taurus shoFordTaurusFordTaurusShoshotaurustaurus shoTaurusShothe tonight showTheTonightShowFri, 30 Oct 2009 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[<em>The Tonight Show</em> with Conan O'Brien welcomes 2010 Taurus SHO tonight!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-welcomes-2010-tauru/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-welcomes-2010-tauru/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-welcomes-2010-tauru/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If Jay Leno were a Ferrari McLaren F1, Conan O'Brien would be a Ford Taurus SHO. Now hold on, that's not an insult to Conan, who just took over Jay's hosting duties on The Tonight Show. It's an actual fact: Jay owns a McLaren F1 and Conan drives a 1992 Ford Taurus SHO.

Conan's SHO has appeared on his... uh, show... a number of times in the past, though the most memorable cameo was this skit back in the Late Night with Conan O'Brien days. More recently, the SHO appeared on Conan's first episode hosting The Tonight Show, having made its way with the comic from New York to LA for the new gig.

As we all know, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is here and trying hard to revive the same excitement that the original used to snare such high profile owners as Conan O'Brien (and myself). So, of course we've been wondering when Conan's going to drop some coin on a 2010 SHO to replace the old one. While we don't know if he's actually going to buy one, we do have confirmation from Ford that the 2010 Taurus SHO will appear in a skit on The Tonight Show this evening with Conan. So set your DVRs to 11:30PM EST on NBC, and if that doesn't work, check back here tomorrow for a clip of the skit.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO


[Source: Ford]

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien welcomes 2010 Taurus SHO tonight! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurusShoconan obrienConanObrienfordford taurus shoFordTaurusShotaurustaurus shoTaurusShothe tonight showTheTonightShowThu, 29 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

2009 Ford SEMA vehicles - Click above for image gallery

In addition to the slew of Mustangs that will be at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas next week, Ford has well over a dozen more vehicles represented including perennial favorites like the Focus, Fusion, Flex and F-150, as well as newcomers like the Taurus SHO, Transit Connect and MKS.

Our personal faves include the Taurus "Best of SHO" by MRT-Direct that improves on the stock SHO with a subtle ground effects kit and vented hood, as well as adds performance improvements through tweaks of EcoBoost engine's turbocharging system and exhaust. Another cool newbie is the Transit Connect by Azentek and Grant Products that features a road-hugging body kit on the outside and a pull-out kitchen and upper bunk bed on the inside.

Our two favorites F-150s that will be on display at SEMA are the "Freedom Truck" that pays tribute to all those who have served in the U.S. armed forces with a patriotic paint job and the Super Duty DeWALT Contractor "Concept", the latter of which looks like a contractor's dream come true.

You can check out all the remaining SEMA vehicles from FoMoCo in the gallery below, complete with descriptions attached for each model.


Gallery: Ford and Lincoln at SEMA 2009

2010 Ford Taurus by Tommy Z Design2010 Ford Taurus SHO by Mobsteel2010 Ford Taurus ?Best of SHO? by MRT-Direct2010 Ford Fusion Sport by Aaron Vaccar Signature Series2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid by M&J Enterprises

[Source: Ford]

SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-150f-150 semaF-150Semaford semaFordSemalincoln semaLincolnSemasemasema 2009sema showSema2009SemaShowtaurustaurus shotaurus sho semaTaurusShoTaurusShoSematransit connecttransit connect semaTransitConnectTransitConnectSemaMon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Not SHO-wy Enough? Ford reportedly working on tweaks to better distinguish range-topping Taurus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/not-sho-wy-enough-ford-reportedly-working-on-tweaks-to-better-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/not-sho-wy-enough-ford-reportedly-working-on-tweaks-to-better-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/not-sho-wy-enough-ford-reportedly-working-on-tweaks-to-better-d/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Ford Taurus SHO2010FordTaurusShoFordFord TaurusFord Taurus SHOFordTaurusFordTaurusShoSHOTaurus SHOTaurusShoTue, 22 Sep 2009 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO gets measured against the original]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/review-2010-ford-taurus-sho-gets-measured-against-the-original/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/review-2010-ford-taurus-sho-gets-measured-against-the-original/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/review-2010-ford-taurus-sho-gets-measured-against-the-original/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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


Photos copyright (C)2009 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.

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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Click above to watch videos after the jump

While the Taurus name still carries very strong awareness with customers, Ford needs to show the car-buying public that the 2010 model has an entirely new level of class and refinement. To accomplish its goal, the flagship sedan's new marketing campaign is ignoring competitors like the Honda Accord and instead going after the luxury competition.

New online ads will pit the 2010 Taurus, which starts at $26,000, against competition that costs $60,000 or more. In one spot, the Taurus goes head to head with the much more expensive Lexus LS. Both vehicles will be driving behind a leaky gravel hauler to show that the Ford has a better paint job. In another spot featuring the Infiniti M45X, Ford aims to show that the Taurus has a more sophisticated radar system. Infiniti spokesman Kyle Bazemore tells the Detroit News that his company is flattered to be chosen by Ford as a benchmark, but "our entry-level Infiniti G beat the Taurus in a head-to-head test by Edmunds.com."

Ford says the ads aren't targeting luxury car buyers, but instead they are meant to tout the Taurus' advanced technology. Analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP likes Ford's approach, since many vehicles in the segment don't have the same level of tech as the Taurus. Hall isn't so sure, however, if the online ads go far enough to distinguish the new Taurus from the old model. Ford's print and TV spots won't feature luxury competitors, though, instead focusing mainly on favorable reviews and technology.

Follow the jump to view two of the new Taurus ads. In the first one, Ford takes on the Acura RL to see which vehicle has the quieter cabin. The prop? A fire-breathing drag racer, parked right between the two vehicles. The second spot features the Taurus and Lexus LS taking on the fore-mentioned gravel hauler. This commercial is pretty sweet, if only because of the slow motion chunks of rocks hitting both cars set to opera. Hat tip to Racer.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus


[Source: Detroit News]

Continue reading REPORT: Ford to go after lux brands with new Taurus ads [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Ford to go after lux brands with new Taurus ads [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford taurus2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurus2010FordTaurusShofordford taurusFordTaurusonline marketingOnlineMarketingtaurustaurus commercialtaurus marketingtaurus shoTaurusCommercialTaurusMarketingTaurusShovideoFri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Bigs n' Littles: Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/bigs-n-littles-inside-line-pits-fords-new-taurus-sho-against/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/bigs-n-littles-inside-line-pits-fords-new-taurus-sho-against/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/bigs-n-littles-inside-line-pits-fords-new-taurus-sho-against/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Back when we gave you our first drive impressions of Ford's new Taurus and Taurus SHO, we expressed a measure of concern that it wasn't immediately clear as to which competitors Dearborn's new offerings might square off against. While carving out a new niche can sometimes mean that you can coerce buyers from all segments of the market (Chrysler's PT Cruiser was a good example of this when it launched, as was the Mini Cooper), we openly questioned whether that will be the case with the Blue Oval's big new sedan:
"The Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before (let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately clear who the model's competitors are - a detail that could prove problematic when trying to target customers."
Judging by their new comparison test which pits the SHO against a Journey-spec Infiniti G37 sedan, the folks over at Inside Line share our quandary. After all, given that the rear-drive Infiniti is significantly smaller and lighter, driven by half-as-many wheels (and seemingly from a different end of the market), this seems like a questionable matchup. And yet, there really aren't many cars that are better comparisons - the Chrysler 300C AWD, perhaps, or the front-drive Chevrolet Impala SS, but both are older propositions that are massively outclassed by the spanking new Ford. We might have suggested the Acura TL, but Inside Line already tested that car in a comparison and found it wanting.

Given that the Blue Oval itself appears to be targeting upmarket brands with some of its benchmarks, perhaps the G isn't an unreasonable choice, especially given that its as-tested price ended up being cheaper than the Ford. In any case, the SHO vs. G37 comparison makes for interesting reading, so check it out by clicking on the link below.

[Source: Inside Line; Image: Kurt Niebuhr]

Bigs n' Littles: Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> FeaturedEcoBoostfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveFord TaurusFord Taurus SHOFordTaurusFordTaurusShoSHOTaurus SHOTaurusShoYamahaTue, 23 Jun 2009 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[First 2010 Taurus SHO to receive involuntary restyling]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/23/first-2010-taurus-sho-receives-involuntary-restyling/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/23/first-2010-taurus-sho-receives-involuntary-restyling/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/23/first-2010-taurus-sho-receives-involuntary-restyling/#commentsFiled under: ,


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 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford's marketers and PR types have a tremendous job ahead of them: Educating the American consumer on what company's new Taurus is all about. It's a Herculean task that amounts to nothing more than rebuilding a brand that was once broadly considered an icon - not just of the auto industry - but of American business at large.

Fortunately for the Blue Oval team, they may have an ace-in-the-hole. As we learned driving the 2010 Ford Taurus through Tennessee and North Carolina's Smoky Mountain roads, this new bull shows promise and takes the marque upscale like never before. But be under no illusions - this is a risky move. The Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before (let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately clear who the model's competitors are - a detail that could prove problematic when trying to target customers.

The Chicago-built Taurus is no longer a logical Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu cross-shop - that's the Fusion's turf now. In size, technology, and aspirations, Ford is pushing its new sedan several of rungs up the ladder. Is it the right product for the right time? Perhaps of more immediate concern, is it carrying the right name and will Ford be able to overcome the Taurus brand's baggage and sell America on its virtues?

Click through to see if the Blue Oval has a fighting chance.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus - The once and future king?

First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus - The once and future king? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

The Ford Taurus hasn't even hit the market yet, but it's already beginning to win props from the press. Esquire has entered the award fray by picking the new Taurus SHO as its inaugural 2010 Car of the Year. The long-running men's magazine has three criteria for its award: terrific ride and handling with plenty of speed; attractive sheetmetal that elicits stares; and an attainable price point. Editor-in-chief David Granger says that the SHO hits all the marks, as the twin-turbocharged Ford was the unanimous winner amongst Esquire editors.

Esquire correspondent (and Automobile Magazine columnist) Ezra Dyer added that the SHO was a good every day driver that "happens to have a secret under the hood." We're pretty sure 365 horsepower is enough juice to fall in the 'sleeper' category. Ford is, for obvious reasons, pleased with its latest piece of hardware, adding that "we trust that customers will be equally impressed."

Oh, and before you ask ('cause we did) - although the Taurus SHO hasn't hit the market and the official media drive hasn't happened yet, Esquire did manage to secure a drive of the car before they handed out the award, although it isn't immediately clear what other cars were considered for the award. Interestingly, the magazine's article apparently doesn't actually delve into the area of driving impressions, so Ford says it was copacetic with the pre-embargo coverage. Us? We'll finally get our chance to flog the SHO very soon, but we've promised the Blue Oval not to tell you about it until late July, so you'll have to wait. Hit the jump to read Ford's press release.


Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2010 Ford Taurus SHO named Esquire Car of the Year

2010 Ford Taurus SHO named Esquire Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 car of the year2010CarOfTheYearesquireford taurusFordTaurustaurus shoTaurusShoWed, 10 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ford Taurus SHO follows Conan to Los Angeles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/video-ford-taurus-sho-follows-conan-to-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/video-ford-taurus-sho-follows-conan-to-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/video-ford-taurus-sho-follows-conan-to-la/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

Last night was the debut of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien as its new host. The gangly, six-foot-something comedian made the move from late-late night in New York to just late night in Los Angeles, and his first show featured special guests Will Ferrell, Pearl Jam and an old friend that made the trip from NYC: his second-gen 1992 Ford Taurus SHO in a brilliant shade of Jewel Green.

Conan had a whole segment devoted to the SHO and how its inherent coolness works on both coasts. Driving around LA, the SHO clearly impressed the ladies and made Fabio regret his purchase of a Lamborghini Gallardo. Sure, the SHO had to be returned home on a flat bed, but it's all part of the charm. Here's hoping Conan's ride becomes a regular cast member and that the new Tonight Show host celebrates the return of the 2010 Taurus SHO with us when it goes on sale later this year. He may not be as big of a car buff as Jay, but Conan always warms the cockles of our hearts when he brings out his SHO.

Follow the jump to view the clip for yourself and click here to check out a past clip featuring the SHO in New York.

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford Taurus SHO follows Conan to Los Angeles

VIDEO: Ford Taurus SHO follows Conan to Los Angeles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conan obrienconan shoConanObrienconans carConansCarConanShoFord TaurusFordTaurusTaurus ShoTaurusShotonight showtonight show with conan obrienTonightShowTonightShowWithConanObrienTue, 02 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago 2009: SHO History - The real reason Ford had Yamaha's V6 lying around]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/chicago-2009-sho-history-the-real-reason-ford-had-yamahas-v6/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/chicago-2009-sho-history-the-real-reason-ford-had-yamahas-v6/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/chicago-2009-sho-history-the-real-reason-ford-had-yamahas-v6/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



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]

Chicago 2009: SHO History - The real reason Ford had Yamaha's V6 lying around originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordgn34Panterataurustaurus shoTaurusShoThu, 12 Feb 2009 13:56:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO reveal video... revealed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/video-2010-ford-taurus-sho-reveal-video-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/video-2010-ford-taurus-sho-reveal-video-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/video-2010-ford-taurus-sho-reveal-video-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch videos after the jump

Being that the biggest reveal of this year's Chicago Auto Show has been the new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, we thought you might enjoy some video of it actually moving rather than just posing all pretty on a show stand. We found some B-roll footage of the new SHO being driven sans a soundtrack, but we also went one further and got the actual video that Ford played during the car's debut today. Both can be watched after the jump, and the reveal video also includes guest appearances by some true SHO enthusiasts. Oddly enough, my agent never received a call.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO reveal video... revealed

VIDEO: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO reveal video... revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurusShochicagochicago 2009chicago auto showChicago2009ChicagoAutoShowfordford taurus shoFordTaurusShoshotaurustaurus shoTaurusShoWed, 11 Feb 2009 19:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago 2009: SHO Starter - Ford Taurus SHO kicks off Chicago]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/chicago-2009-sho-starter-ford-taurus-sho-kicks-off-chicago/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/chicago-2009-sho-starter-ford-taurus-sho-kicks-off-chicago/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/chicago-2009-sho-starter-ford-taurus-sho-kicks-off-chicago/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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

We've just dashed back to the media center from the first press conference of the 2009 Chicago Auto Show where Ford unveiled the new 2010 Taurus SHO to the whoops and cries of SHO enthusiasts. We sat directly in front of a group of identically SHO-shirted "inner circle" faithful that Ford had brought from 11 different states to mark the occasion, and we were privy to more than a few honest-sounding gasps and slack jaws when the horsepower figure (365) was officially announced ("Jesus. Rock #$%@ing on!").

In the metal, the Blue Oval's highest-performance SHO builds very discretely on the standard Taurus's muscular new bodywork, with a unique dark-gray grille and matching 19- or 20-inch alloys, along with distinct parking lamp bezels, a modest decklid spoiler and obligatory badging. Much to our editor-in-chief's chagrin, Ford chose to roll out the new model in maroon and silver, oddly foregoing the SHO-only Atlantis Green hue, but both examples looked attractive in their respective paints.

If Ford has missed an obvious aesthetic trick with the SHO, it's with the engine, which is hidden under an innocuous black plastic cover. SHO enthusiasts have practically made scale jewelry out of the first- and second-generation Taurus SHO's Yamaha V-6 engine and its prominent intake runners, and the new Ecoboost engine looks utterly undistinguished. Thankfully, the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 should provide enough performance to win over the diehards.

Given how many Tauruses (Taurii?) are likely to populate America's roads over the next few years, the SHO is likely to be a first-class sleeper, so subtle are its visual modifications. In any case, Ford isn't shying away from comparing their new baby with flashier, more expensive cars, casually noting that the car's performance figures should compare favorably with BMW's 5-Series and Chrysler's 300C all-wheel drive, the latter of which marketing and communications vice-president, Jim Farley, proudly notes is $900 pricier. Check out our gallery of live shots below, and then jump back to our Officially Official information post by clicking here.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO


Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Chicago 2009: SHO Starter - Ford Taurus SHO kicks off Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurusShoChicagoChicago 2009Chicago Auto ShowChicago2009ChicagoAutoShowEcoboostFord TaurusFordTaurusTaurusTaurus SHOTaurusShoWed, 11 Feb 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Officially Official: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/officially-official-2010-ford-taurus-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/officially-official-2010-ford-taurus-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/officially-official-2010-ford-taurus-sho/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Ford Taurus SHO
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

The SHO must go on. SHO me the money. It's SHO time!

We've heard them all during the months of speculation leading up to this moment. Without further ado, we present to you the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. That's right, Ford has decided to revive the moniker once affixed to the sports sedan that wowed the automotive world way back in 1989. The original SHO survived three generations of Taurus models, was sold for 10 years straight and attracted over 100,000 buyers. But just as the Taurus itself devolved from America's best-selling car to a rental fleet afterthought, the original SHO ended production in 1999 having gone from a budget sports sedan to an overpriced, underpowered executive whip.

Ford is working on rehabilitating the Taurus name with a significant redesign that debuted last month at the Detroit Auto Show. Using that sedan as its canvas, the new SHO may also restore respect to a name that has fallen too far. A 365-hp twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, all-wheel-drive and plenty of upgrades is a good place to start. Follow the jump to learn everything there is to know about the return of the SHO.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO


Gallery: Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Continue reading Officially Official: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO!

Officially Official: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Ford Taurus SHO2010FordTaurusShobreakingchicago auto showChicagoAutoShowFord TaurusFord Taurus SHOFordTaurusFordTaurusShoSHOTaurusTaurus SHOTaurusShoWed, 11 Feb 2009 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spotted without camo!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-sho-spotted-without-camo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-sho-spotted-without-camo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-sho-spotted-without-camo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spy shots

Thanks to our friends at BringBackTheSHO.com, we now have more evidence than ever that the SHO will rise again. These spy shots show a pair of serious looking Taurus sedans snapped along the I-75 corridor in Michigan Florida (the greenish grass and lack of snow suggest they weren't taken recently). These two sedans are different from the Limited and SES models we saw at the Detroit Auto Show last week, wearing new wheels (at least 19 or 20 inches in diameter), a decklid spoiler, different tail-lights and a new rear bumper that extends lower over a pair of dual tail-pipes. There's also a conspicuous looking badge on the rear end that's covered with camo tape. What could it be? Who knows for SHO?

We expect to find Ford's new 3.5L EcoBoost V6 underhood, which produces 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Well, that's what the engine produces in the 2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKS, 2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKT and 2010 Ford EcoBoost Flex. Whether or not Ford increases the engine's power for SHO duty (it does stand for Super High Output, after all) remains to be seen, but expect all-wheel drive and a flappy paddle, six-speed gearbox to be standard equipment. The 2009 Chicago Auto Show, where we expect this car to debut, just got a whole lot more interesting.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO - spy shots


[Source: VWVortex via BringBackTheSHO.com, Photos used with permission of BBTS.com]

Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spotted without camo! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford taurus2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurus2010FordTaurusShobreakingford taurusford taurus shoFordTaurusFordTaurusShoshospy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotstaurustaurus shoTaurusShoMon, 19 Jan 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Ford Taurus SHO slated for Chicago debut?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/2010-ford-taurus-sho-slated-for-chicago-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/2010-ford-taurus-sho-slated-for-chicago-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/2010-ford-taurus-sho-slated-for-chicago-debut/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Taurus

Ford has launched its mini-site for the 2010 Taurus, and in addition to including images of its new flagship sedan in all available colors (see updated gallery below), a clue has been discovered that may shed some light on the rumored return of the much loved SHO model. Mousing over the word "GALLERY" will produce a drop down menu at the bottom of which is a selection called "PERFORMANCE SERIES". Mouse over that guy and the message "COMING FEBRUARY 2009" is revealed.

The 2009 Chicago Auto Show occurs in February, which suggests that Ford will be debut this "Performance Series" of the Taurus in the Windy City. Will it be the SHO? We don't know, though prior spy shots of a SHO-badged interior suggest an affirmative on that one.

When Ford debuted the new Taurus at the Detroit Auto Show this week, mention was made of both the standard 3.5L Duratec V6 and the "optional availability of Ford's advanced EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6, with an announcement regarding availability soon." So we expect that Ford will debut the 355-hp EcoBoost V6 in the Taurus at the Chicago show, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be be wearing any Super High Output badges. Ford seems keen on building the EcoBoost brand name, as "EcoBoost" will appear alongside the Lincoln MKS, MKT and Ford Flex when those new models are ordered up with the same advanced engine.

Frankly, we hope Ford just calls it the EcoBoost Taurus and leaves "SHO" alone for now. The 2010 Taurus may share a name with the one that was offered with a Yamaha V6 back in the '80s and '90s, but the new one is a much larger, heavier car that's ill-suited for sport sedan duties. We'll reiterate our wish once again: a Fusion SHO tuned by SVT with a manual or dual-sequential gearbox, front-wheel-drive, weight saving measures and a small EcoBoost four-cylinder capable of producing a reverential 220 horsepower and return well over 30 mpg on the highway. But that's just us.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus


[Source: BringBacktheSHO.com, Ford]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO slated for Chicago debut? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Ford Taurus2010FordTaurusChicagoChicago 2009Chicago Auto ShowChicago2009ChicagoAutoShowFord TaurusFord Taurus SHOFordTaurusFordTaurusShoSHOTaurustaurus ShoTaurusShoThu, 15 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST