Autoblog

VIDEO: Ford press conference yields surprise $650 car announcement

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST

Ford makes surprise $650 car announcement - click above image to watch the video

Between the hysteria of this week's SEMA Show and Chrysler's never-ending (and partially baffling) revelations yesterday, a shocking announcement by Ford Motor Company has been nearly drowned out. But rest assured, your Autoblog team never rests (even after huffing down 9,000 calories apiece at Vegas' Wynn Buffet!) and have tracked down this astounding piece of news. Ford has taken a long, hard look at the state of the American automotive scene and has decided to do the (almost) unthinkable - sell us a car for $650.

Now, there are no doubt naysayers amongst you that will point to a $650 Ford and cry, "Malarkey!" And with good reason. After all, under cutting the Tata Nano by a full $1,350 is no easy feat. However, times are tough. And with a nearly 10% national unemployment rate, a $650 car makes sound, economic sense. But don't take our word for it. Make the jump to watch Ford VP Daniel Grossman introduce Ford's new entry level car.

[Source: O-SPAN6]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford press conference yields surprise $650 car announcement

VIDEO: Ford press conference yields surprise $650 car announcement originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:00 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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The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien welcomes 2010 Taurus SHO tonight!

John Neff — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Celebrities

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.

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SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln

John Neff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Minivan/Van, Performance, SUV, Truck, Work, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Specialty

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

[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.

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Commercial Success: The 1986 Ford Taur-US, For US!

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 1980s. The decade that gave us Knight Rider, Gobots, rolled jeans and poofy hair also produced a lot of lousy cars. There were a few good ones, too, and the 1986 Taurus is at the top of the list. The new-at-the-time Taurus was a near instant phenomenon as it garnered over 200,000 sales in its first year along with the Motor Trend Car of the Year award and a spot on Car and Driver's 10Best list.

We'd argue that the Taurus was a family sedan far ahead of its time, but even the best product doesn't move off the showroom floor to the tune of 200,000 units without great marketing. Well, at least great-for-1986 marketing. Hit the jump to watch a one minute long Taurus commercial from the Taurus' first year on the market.

Back in the '80s commercials were all about the jingle, and this Taurus spot is a real toe tapper. And you won't have to count how many times the words Ford and Taurus are uttered, because we already did (seven Ford and 10 Taurus mentions). Fair warning: If you watch this ad you may be brainwashed into thinking that the Taurus is the American car that has exactly what you've been looking for. It happened to Neff, and it could happen to you.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Commercial Success: The 1986 Ford Taur-US, For US!

Commercial Success: The 1986 Ford Taur-US, For US! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Taurus reportedly enjoying strong early sales in California

Chris Shunk — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford

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

We've already established that we feel the 2010 Ford Taurus is a lot more interesting than the boring and benign model it replaced, and sales totals are starting to reinforce our findings. September's sales tally revealed that the new Blue Oval flagship received a 60% sales increase versus September of 2008, and while the fact that the top sales market for the Taurus is Metro Detroit is no surprise, second place is likely the real prize. The Taurus is reportedly red-hot in sunny California, and some dealers are having trouble keeping the super-sized sedan in stock.

That's obviously a great problem to have, and Ford spokesperson Amy Marentic told the Detroit Free Press that there is a simple reason why supplies are short: "The older Taurus ... did not move and really wasn't relevant in California." Galpin Ford vice president Beau Boeckmann was a bit more direct in his reasoning, adding "We went from a frumpy car that did not have a southern California appeal to a car that everybody is in love with." Ford says it is also seeing good news on the options front, as it says 95% of customers are ordering uplevel models or are at least adding extras. A significant 25% of customers have reportedly opted to add Ford's excellent navigation system, up from only 4% on the outgoing Taurus.

We're not so sure "everybody" loves the new Taurus, as it's still a big rig that won't ignite the passion of most enthusiasts, but that isn't really its lot in life anyhow, and we can at least say that the new model ought to receive far more love than the neutered bull it replaced. Hat tip to Yaroukh!

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]

2010 Ford Taurus reportedly enjoying strong early sales in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale

Chris Shunk — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Reviews

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

In 1985, when few models really stood out from the midsize pack, Ford created one of the most influential vehicles of the late 20th century: the Taurus. Radically styled and intelligently packaged, the Taurus won the hearts and minds of millions of car buyers, and for over a decade, it was a dominant force in the retail car market. Eventually, competition from the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord proved too much for Ford to handle, and the Blue Oval hung its game-changing sedan out to dry. Product development dollars were funneled to trucks and SUVs, and the Zodiac's bull died a pauper's death in 2007 after an achingly long stint as a tattered fleet Queen.

When Alan Mulally took the helm of FoMoCo, the new CEO wondered why the recognizable - if tarnished - Taurus name had been abandoned. So a branding Band-Aid was affixed to the underperforming Five Hundred sedan and, unsurprisingly, consumers saw through the botched rebadging. The "new" Taurus was still the old Five Hundred; a dynamically challenged sedan whose biggest selling point was a really large trunk. In hindsight, the move may have been a way to revive the Taurus in the public's consciousness as Mulally and company went back to the drawing board to create a new world-class sedan capable of taking on the biggest names in the segment. The 2010 Ford Taurus is here... but does it have what it takes?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale

Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:57:00 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, 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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REPORT: Ford to go after lux brands with new Taurus ads [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

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.

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Inside Line pits Ford Taurus against Honda Accord. Who wins?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Honda

When Honda decided to grow its bread-and-butter Accord sedan in every dimension, it entered into the large car segment. The press has been pretty well split on whether or not that was a good idea, but the car buying public continues to vote favorably with its pocket books.

Ford has had a large car entry since the 2005 model year when it unleashed the Five Hundred to the surprise and delight of just of... well... someone, presumably. After lackluster sales, Ford changed the name of its full-sized sedan to Taurus for 2008, but the end result remained the apathy of car buyers. Ford appears to have finally stepped up its game with the 2010 Taurus, however, as the Blue Oval has decided to take its super sized sedan upmarket, with an elegant interior and an exterior that people will actually notice.

Our friends over at Inside Line have brought the Accord and Taurus together in an epic battle of the big rigs. The Accord has a quality pedigree and the love of the car-buying public, while Ford counters with an upstart Taurus that has become the flagship of a vastly improved lineup. The battle was close, but only one large sedan could end up on top of this comparison. Hit the link below to head over to Inside Line to read the comparison for yourself.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Honda Accord

Photos copyright (C)2008 Jonathon Ramsey/ Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Scott Jacobs]

Inside Line pits Ford Taurus against Honda Accord. Who wins? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigs n' Littles: Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37

Chris Paukert — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Infiniti

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

Chris Paukert — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, First Drive

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

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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What's New Is Old Again: 2010 Ford Taurus launching with incentives

John Neff — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford

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

The new 2010 Ford Taurus may share nothing mechanically with the model that ended production a few years ago, but it will launch this September with one thing in common: incentives. A poster car for rental fleets, the last-generation Taurus was being sold with rebates of between $3,000 and $4,000 before Ford stopped selling it to retail customers altogether. The new Taurus, despite being better in every way and touted as the brand's new halo sedan, will go on sale with an early-order incentive offering $500 to buyers who receive their car by September 1 and an additional $1,000 cash rebate on all but the base model Taurus.

The new Taurus shouldn't be judged too harshly for launching with money on its hood. Poor sales can't be blamed, because none have been sold yet. The incentives are meant to kick off Taurus sales and get the numbers up to where they might have been had the economy not gone sour. And to ensure the new Taurus doesn't wind up clogging rental fleet lots like the last one, Ford has stated that it will keep rental sales in the single- or low-double-digit range.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

What's New Is Old Again: 2010 Ford Taurus launching with incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:58:00 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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REPORT: Mercury Sable reaching the end of the line Thursday

Chris Paukert — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Mercury

2008 Mercury Sable - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercury's born-again Sable sedan is dead again - or, more accurately, it will be come so on Thursday. According to The Detroit News, Ford's gussied-up Taurus (itself a gussied-up Five Hundred) will expire later this week, leaving Mercury with just four models: the Milan, Mariner, Mountaineer, and Grand Marquis.

And while the Taurus is getting a brand-spanking new replacement model for 2010, a Sable stablemate is apparently not in the cards, in large measure because Ford reportedly chose to spend more money on developing and marketing its Taurus replacement.

Ford's middle-tier brand is expected to lose both the Mountaineer and Grand Marquis within the next couple of model years, and the only new product mooted for the waterfall-grille brand is a new small car that has yet-to-be confirmed.

Eerily, the Blue Oval recently tested the small car waters for its Lincoln luxury brand with its Concept C showcar that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The presence of the tidy Euro-look hatchback once again set tongues wagging that Ford may be pondering whether or not to axe the Mercury marque altogether. For its part, Blue Oval officials dismiss such plans, but there is no denying that Mercury's stable is getting smaller, and at the moment, little product appears to be in the replacement pipeline.

According to the DetNews, Ford sold just 1,158 Sables in April, a drop of nearly 40% year-over-year versus 2008.

Gallery: 2008 Mercury Sable

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Mercury Sable reaching the end of the line Thursday originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:29:00 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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Hennessey Performance ready to tap 2010 Ford Taurus SHO's potential

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Ford

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

Charles, one of our eagle-eyed readers, came across this page on the Hennessey website announcing plans to offer upgrades for the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. A quick email and a subsequent phone call from Mr. Hennessey himself confirmed that the power-obsessed tuner is hoping to exploit the new SHO's potential later this year.

John, a former first-gen SHO owner himself, was impressed with the new SHO's specs when it was revealed last week, and the hope is that enthusiasts will start looking for modifications once sales begin later this year. At the onset, expect intake and exhaust mods, followed by a boost controller, turbo and intercooler upgrades and possibly some suspension tweaks.

Since Ford is primarily marketing its line of EcoBoost engines towards fuel-conscious consumers, there's little doubt that the automaker left something on the table. We're sure tuners are ready to take up the challenge, and it looks like John and his team will be at the forefront.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Hennessey Performance ready to tap 2010 Ford Taurus SHO's potential originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2009: SHO History - The real reason Ford had Yamaha's V6 lying around

Chris Shunk — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Ford

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.

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