2010 Ford Taurus SHO revealed!

Months of speculation and rumors have proved to be true, as the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO has been revealed at the Chicago Auto Show. 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 car.

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.

Ford is currently in the process of stuffing its new 3.5L EcoBoost V6 into any that fits. The Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and upcoming Lincoln MKT are all getting it. Being based on the same platform as the MKS, it was a no-brainer that the redesigned 2010 Taurus would also get the twin-turbo, direct-inject engine that Ford promises will deliver V8 power with V6 fuel economy.

That model designation originally meant Super High Output, which definitely applies to the modern version. Whereas the original SHO used a high-revving 220-hp 3.0L V6 (later a 235-hp 3.4L V8) developed and built by Yamaha, the new SHO's advanced engine turns a relatively small 3.5 liters of displacement displacement and a lot of pressure into 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 ft.-lb of torque at 3,500 rpm. That makes this version of Ford's 3.5L EcoBoost V6 the most powerful one available with 10 more horsepower than its other applications.

Unlike the original SHO, however, this new one is about much more than just the engine. Backing up the potent powerplant is a torque-sensing all-wheel-drive system mated to Ford's 6F55 six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The tranny is augmented by a manual mode that can be controlled either by the console shifter or paddle shifters, and will also rev match downshifts and hold gears even when the tach is bouncing off the engine's redline.

The SHO further separates itself from lesser Taurus models with a beefed up suspension that includes SHO-specific shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars and strut mount bushings. Furthermore, the new SHO also features Ford's new SR1 suspension setup with MacPherson front struts and a multi-link set up in the rear. The SHO's suspension should be noticeably sharper than that of the standard Taurus and its other platform-mate, the Lincoln MKS. There will even be an optional Performance Package that includes better brake pads, recalibrated steering, a "Sport Mode" for the stability control system and shorter 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio. Nineteen-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle rubber will be standard, while 20-inchers wearing Michelin high-performance summer tires will also be available.

The grille features a dark grey finish that matches the wheels and new parking lamp bevels are SHO-only items. There's also a decklid spoiler out back along with a simple SHO/EcoBoost badge on the trunk lid. One of the exclusive colors available will also be Atlantis Green, which Ford says was inspired by the Deep Emerald Green seen on many second-generation (1992-1995) SHO models.

The seats are leather-trimmed and two-tone with Mike Suede inserts, which Ford proudly points out are produced from post-consumer yarns made of plastic soda bottles. The dash and door panels also feature acres of aluminum trim, and SHO branding appears on the floor mats and passenger-side dash panel.

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO will start at $37,995 when it goes on sale this summer. That's a lofty price tag for a Taurus, but not for a 365-hp, all-wheel-drive sedan stuffed with this much tech and luxury. The original SHO stickered for just under $20,000 in late 1988, which was also considered a big premium to pay for Ford's family sedan.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO to debut in Chicago?

Ford has launched a mini site for it's all new 2010 Taurus, in addition to pictures of the sedan in all available colors. With this launch comes a clue that potentially confirms what has been rumored for a few weeks now - that the SHO may make a comeback.



Mousing over the word "Gallery" on the site produces a menu, which at the bottom has a link for "Performance Series." Mousing over that brings up a message "Coming February 2009."



The 2009 Chicago Auto Show is in February, which leads to the natural assumption that Ford will introduce this "Performance Series" in that venue. We don't know for sure if it will indeed be the SHO, but spy shots showing the moniker have led to speculation. Stay tuned to see exactly what Ford has in mind.

Ford Taurus SHO to make a comeback?

The Ford Taurus SHO still has quite a following, experiencing a long lasting popularity. The original SHO featured a 220hp Yamaha built 3.0L V6, and was heralded during it's heyday for being an M3 contender for half the price. The original Taurus' design received much praise for being way ahead of it's time.



And now Jalopnik has published many images of the new Taurus, showing the SHO moniker on the passenger side dash of a 2010 Taurus. One would think that maybe Ford is producing a Taurus SHO concept car that could debut after the base car's reveal at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month.



It's also a possibility that the SHO could be powered by Ford's new EcoBoost V6, producing 350hp and 350lbft of torque. But this is all just mere speculation, and we'll have to wait and see just what Ford has up it's sleeve for this one. A new SHO would at the very least generate some interest for the rebirth of the Taurus, a car in desperate need of an image makeover.

Taurus X and Mercury Sable to be axed next year

Image via Wikipedia
Keeping with previous chatter out of Detroit, it has been reported that the Taurus X SUV and the Mercury Sable are on the chopping block for next year.

Officials at Ford Motor Company are stepping up their efforts to significantly restructure it's lineup after multiple rounds of recent layoffs.

Word coming out of Dearborn is that the Taurus X crossover and the venerable Sable are being axed due to slow sales combined with the companie's efforts to produce smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.

Rumors surround the demise of the Taurus X have been going around ever since the new Flex hit showrooms.

The decision to stop producing the Sable is in tune with Ford's vision to utilize Mercury as a critical outlet to sell small cars.

Last July, the Taurus X sold 2,304 units, down from the 2,705 the same time last year. The already slow-selling Sable managed only 2,276 sales last month compared to 2,589 a year ago.