With a sassy-looking new Taurus launching for 2010, Ford thought it was time to revisit one of the bright spots in its recent sedan history and relaunch the high-performance version of the big four-door.
The good news: This new version does not have a dinner platter affixed to its trunk lid like the catfish-shape '96 SHO did. The bad news: Well, there's no manual transmission option as there was for the first two generations of the SHO.
But in place of the four-speed automatic that soiled the third-generation SHO, the 2010 model uses a sophisticated six-speed automatic, which can be shifted manually via steering column-mounted paddles and will even give a little goose to the throttle on downshifts.
This tranny is bolted to — wait for it — a twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 that makes 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine wears Ford's EcoBoost badge and is a slightly juiced version of the engine that will be available in the Lincoln MKS and MKT this year. Not coincidentally, one platform underpins all three vehicles (as well as the Ford Flex).
For the first time in the SHO's history, the 2010 model will come standard with all-wheel drive, the same Haldex system that will be optional on the standard Taurus. Ford expects this setup to deliver 25 mpg on the highway. Incidentally, the dual exhaust is a true dual, unlike the standard Taurus exhaust, which Ford refers to as "quasi-dual."
Naturally, Ford has toughened up the SHO's suspension with stiffer springs, stiffer antiroll bars and new shocks.
If that doesn't sound like enough performance for you, Ford will offer option 12S Performance package for about $995. The package brings upgraded brake pads, a more responsive tune for the electric power-assist steering, a Sport mode for the stability control system and a 3.16:1 final drive in place of the standard 2.77:1. The 12S package also brings Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires mounted on painted 20-inch wheels.
The exterior getup is pretty restrained, as the SHO always has been. There's a small SHO badge just behind the rear side windows. Ford has also bolted on a trunk lid spoiler, of course. And the standard Taurus front grille gets a new finish. Inside the new Taurus are unique leather-covered sport seats with synthetic suede inserts made from recycled soda bottles. The SHO also has aluminum trim for the instrument and door panels.
Because the company considers this the flagship of the Ford brand, it's offered with all of the electronic goodies available, including keyless entry and push-button start, rearview camera, adaptive cruise control with collision warning and blind spot detection system.
At $37,995, the SHO will start at $6,000 more than the Taurus Limited model. It'll be in dealerships this summer.
