Your input, Top 5 things the 2010 SHO needs for the next refresh.

[matasho]

i would like to see some cosmetic changes to the exterior that set it apart from a base taurus. so if you see them from across a parking lot there would be a night and day difference.

a manual trans option would be nice.

engine bay appearance upgrade, its too bland add some color in there.

paint all the black plastic on the exterior body color (the rockers, the bottom of the bumpers)

get rid of the chrome on the trunk lid that goes onto the taillights

for the most part i like the car. its exciting that our car company of choice is actually listening to our ideas and opinions. keep up the good work!

 

[hawkeye18]

I agree with GR8WYT; the SHO is in a unique position as Ford's only product capable of putting up a fight with the CTS-V. The V has a big advantage in using the ZR1 motor - and ford has no corvette competitor. But you put some bigger turbos, forged internals, and a real transmission in there, and I bet that EcoBoost is capable of 500+hp. And there you go...

 

[Shopower400]

I agree with GR8WYT; the SHO is in a unique position as Ford's only product capable of putting up a fight with the CTS-V. The V has a big advantage in using the ZR1 motor - and ford has no corvette competitor. But you put some bigger turbos, forged internals, and a real transmission in there, and I bet that EcoBoost is capable of 500+hp. And there you go...

X2!!!

They do this in the music industry all the time to sell records. One calls out the other, or makes him put his money were his mouth is, and everyone wants to watch/ buy! Make the new SHO compete with the CTS-V and sales will do good; esspecailly if the price stays under 40k.

As far as my list goes....

1. Bigger Brakes

2. Engine looks like everything else out there. This is probably the ONLY reason i still have my SHO now, is that the engine (especailly when painted) is sexy as ****!!! ( And always shuts up the harsh criticts!)

3. 6 speed Tranny; although i've read the arguements on it, so we'll see....(keeping my fingers crossed)

4. I would like to see "SHO" engraved in the bumper & doors. Maybe in a different font/ style?!

5. A nice spoiler. (if there isn't one already)

 

[roland]

I just want to ask for everyone who thinks this is a CTS-V competitor.......when Ford puts brembo brakes, a DSG transmission that handles 500 ft-lb, and then forged internals and big old turbo's to go with it and a nice beefy suspension, better differentials and AWD system....all so they can say "we have a CTS-V competitor" (which by the way has been cancelled)

How many more people will be ******* when the price tag hits a CTS-V competitive 60k?

For a Ford Taurus.......a working mans car.......with the SHO being a working mans M5, now costs more than the working man makes in a YEAR.

I guess I don't really even see it likely that the MKS would get this, that'd be a hard sell at 60k.

The only thing that they could possibly throw at a car like that, is to bring over a Falcon with the GT-500 engine and charge 60-70k. Or copy Koenigsegg and Noble's twin turbo Yamaha V8 (which would be awesome and is a CTS-V competitive 600hp) - but the cost would be through the roof, plus building all the components to support such a motor - cooling, brakes, transmission....the works, you'd pretty much need a new car. On top of that you'd still have a regular Taurus interior for a car that costs as much as a 7 series, S class, or A8.

I'd love to see a 600 hp RWD 6 speed manual V8 SHO that only weighs 3000 pounds. Oh and for $25,000 just like the original. Ford can do that can't they - i just hope CAFE standards don't get in the way.

 

[stephen newberg]

I think the price notations in a lot of posts, that is it is simply not going to be possible in the modern environment to get the cost down while also getting the performance even more up, are key. Suggestions need some realism. From what I can gather so far, an improvement in brakes seems the first and most useful change. Past that, it will take driving one for a bit to come up with useful information, which, by the way, seemed to me mainly lacking in the C&D article as some of there stuff was obviously wrong, but I admit I never trust them anyway. The only common car mag reviews I would put any faith in would be from R&T, and though this is doubtless personal bias to some degree, if you consider decades of commentary, I think there is reason for it.

pax, smn

 

[shobote]

Everyone says brakes, but unless you are going to road race, the brakes show impressive numbers in the MT review as is; compares favorably to 2 out of 3 of the latest top end models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, all of which are around $100,000. Only the BMW is faster and not by much either. Similar skidpad numbers too.

http://wuww.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0908_luxury_sedan_comparison/specs.html

 

[platoribs]

I couldn't say it better than this author did:
http://www1.epinions.com/review/auto_Make-1995_Ford_Taurus/auto-review-213B-990B086-3A3390CF-prod1

I'm totally in agreement with the author about how the Gen2's are the ones I like the best and for the reasons detailed in this artical and what a lot of contributors to this thread have already said. While the Gen2 was able to maintain its sleeper status (cause nobody ever suspected anything looking like a taurus could haul a$$ so well) it also looked bad a$$ if you looked closely, like I do each and every time I approach one of mine.

The new SHO should say something a little different than the other, more basic, models.

Balancing this against cost and in order of feasability:
1. Special colors (shouldn't cost anything extra)
2. Special trim to standout (just enough)
3. Bigger Brakes (should have been considered initially)
4. Manual tranny would be nice, but way too expensive unless designed into the whole plateform originally (see Thunderbird 89 to 97)
5. Nothing else comes to mind.

I still see this as an alternative to the M5 and the CTS-V, although unlike b/4 those cars are more car than the 2010 SHO on probably all fronts, wheras b/4 the SHO could hold it's own performance wise with BMW in the early 90's. I'm sure its much harder to pull off such a surprise now as then so it seems like Ford has done pretty much everything they could to represent the true spirit of the former SHO without loosing sight of the Joe 6-pack market.

Just my $0.025

 

[SuperHO]

1: appearance. the SHO has always had a unique look to it, giving those in the know the ability to tell it apart from the rest of the herd, so to speak. let's body color all the trim pieces, get rid of the stick on badge and have the lettering engraved in the rear bumper cover similar to the gen II, better bolstering on the front seats, and add actual fog lights. 2: performance. create a decontent option, getting rid of all the silly little gizmos and create a true performance sedan. drop the nav, fancy stereo, stability control, cameras, and other weight adding crap. and i'll jump on the brake bandwagon. make something magical happen. make this the first SHO that people don't need to upgrade the brakes for spirited driving for fear of wadding up the car. and so people will stop whining, offer a 3 pedal stick for those with healthy knees to row. drop the engine governor and raise the redline to a SHO worthy 7k rpm. other'n that, i'm really diggin the car, and can't really think of much i'd change.

 

[stephen newberg]

Everyone says brakes, but unless you are going to road race, the brakes show impressive numbers in the MT review as is; compares favorably to 2 out of 3 of the latest top end models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, all of which are around $100,000. Only the BMW is faster and not by much either. Similar skidpad numbers too.

http://wuww.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0908_luxury_sedan_comparison/specs.html

That returns an 'address not found'. I would certainly like to look at what you had in mind, should you have the actual address around.

pax, smn

 

[hawkeye18]

That returns an 'address not found'. I would certainly like to look at what you had in mind, should you have the actual address around.

pax, smn

Delete the "u" hiding amongst the three Ws up front and it should work fine for you.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

A base new SHO costs less comparatively than a 1999 SHO did. People need to stop with cost.

Anyway

2: Other nice changes would be something like Volvo's 4C suspension added in. I know it's optional on the Mondeo, so I'm guessing Ford has the ability to put it on a Taurus. It'd be really cool if this was more inclusive than suspension and included transmission and differential changes too (IE sport mode would send more torque to the rear wheels than normal, more aggressive shifting, etc)

You don't want the 4c suspension. Trust me. Think the SARCs are expensive. Try the 4c. I was looking into them when I had my R and price was around $600.00/corner parts only. It's a sweet setup, but when it needs replacing ... OH BOY!

1. Brakes (Brembos are reaily available in a number of other cars already)
2. Lose the Chrome
3. Bump up the power a little. I know 365 is a lot ... but in 2004 Volvo was pushing out 300 from an I5 single turbo.
4. Sublte ground effects kit. SUBTLE
5. While I know the auto trannys of today are far superior than those of 1993 ... there is a market for manuals. Ford is going to lose out on this market for that simple reason. Does not matter that higher end foreign race inspired cars use paddle shifts ... people here like manuals and it can and has been a deciding factor for many people when car shopping.

 

[stephen newberg]

Thank you.

pax, smn

 

[FordLover]

The things I want but will never happen:

1. True manual transmission, 5 or 6 speed with a limited slip.

2. AWD optional. I understand AWD 'makes everything better' but that's a load of crap, it adds weight, complexity, and most of all expense. I would think easily 1500 bucks and about 200 lbs. could be dropped.

I have no problem driving a FWD performance sedan, If I did I wouldn't have bought all the SHO's over the years, and an SVT Focus.

Final Thought:
I would say the 2010 SHO is closest to the Gen 3 SHO, and we all know how well that sold. The original SHO was a midsized everyday sedan loaded with performance and value. The Fusion is much closer in size to the original SHO, and would benefit from the 'original SHO treatment' and I believe would be more popular. I've been waiting since I first saw the 2006 Fusion for a high performance, manual tranny SVT or other performance version, with no hope in sight.

Fusion GT/SHO/SVT whatever-you-wanna-call-it, 280-300 hp, FWD, manual tranny starting @ 28 grand...I'll be first in line.

 

[OSU 4 SHO]

1. Brakes: no excuse not to have bad ass brakes on this thing. Car's 1/2 its price are sporting brembo's from the factory.

2. Transmission: one of two ways to do this: 1. offer the current automatic with an optional 6 speed manual. 2. make a DSG style dual clutch automated manual the only transmission chioce.

3. Lower the ride height: As the article stated, it looks like a Subaru Outback/Audi Allroad type vehicle.

4. Style: There needs to be ZERO chrome on the car. No stupid vents, no chrome bars here and there, a stealthy subtle car with a decent lower facia/sideskirts painted body color.

5. Colors: The available colors are horrible. Traditional Red, Blue, silver, white, black and OEM GEN 2 GREEN!!!

 

[Jonny Cash]

I really like what you guys did with this one.

http://blogcdn.webridestv.com/wp-co...iders-sho-version-for-2010-taurus_16353_2.jpg

Everything else is pretty much covered. I still havent seen the car, once I do Ill chime in.

 

[BlackonBlack89]

Brakes!!!

And get rid of the blue/grey color its ugly.

If there was ever a BASE model SHO....I personallly would want it sleeper as possible. regular wheels, no fancy crap, and go on a diet.



How about a FORD aftermarket (ie roush for the stang and F-150. Ecoboost are going to be in everything soon. Bigger turbo's from the factory and a warranty. Freaking sweet!!!! Or better transmission upgrades!!!! Brake upgrades, cosmetsic stuff. The majority of buyers love upgrades that dont hurt the warrenty or risk the car.

Ford could really run away with that idea, esp since by 2011 or 13 they want an ecoboost of some sort in all their cars..........

 

[shobote]

That returns an 'address not found'. I would certainly like to look at what you had in mind, should you have the actual address around.

pax, smn

You can access it directly on motortrend.com and look at the comparison of the Benz 550, Audi 8 and Bimmer 750 there under Road Tests. It appears right after the 2010 SHO. While the 750 is the only one that beats a SHO in the 1/4 by a few tenths, they say the driveability of the 750 powerplant is awful unless you are under full throttle, and it finishes last in the comparo. The 750 equals the SHO in stopping distance while the SHO beats the other two. 112 ft 60-0 is outstanding braking, easily beating cars like the Genesis V8. Stock braking is outstanding as is if you aren't road racing.
THe one major problem with the SHO is the trans, as they also point out, as it really needs new programming to make it decent for spirited road course driving. The other point is the tires with the 20 inch wheels are very noisy on the hwy compared to the 19's. But can't get track pack without 20's I guess.

 

[38SHO]

if you think ford couldn't find ways to drop the price then you are in la la land... this car has so many features that could get tossed out and most would never care after about 2 months of owning the car.....

also there are ways Ford could reduce weight, free, and save money... just by not putting on certain covers, or making certain plastic pieces lighter/thinner/cheaper(less material cost)

you can go through a gen 2 SHO and get rid of a lot of stuff you will never visually see and save a lot of weight.... for instance, how many speakers are in the SHO? I see some newer cars advertise they have like 11 speakers.... if you really put in 2 good component speakers and a sub with some real power to them, you would blow that 11 speaker system out of the water....

things like sound deadening materials, seats, carpeting.... all that type of stuff could be made lighter, cheaper, and make the car perform better in every performance category....

I think the SHO needs some brakes like an AMG benz or Porsche.... it has 20" wheels and standard ford sedan brakes on a special performance model....... who's idea was that? they should be fired.......

I agree with what was said above, even some GT500 front brakes would be badass, I believe they run a 4 piston caliper....

 

[shobote]

As much as we would like a manual trans, the transverse mounted engine is not compatible with any current offerings that can handle high power.
The 2010 SHO is faster 0-60 than the 2010 Mustang GT with 4.6 V8 already

 

[yamahaSHO]

- Bigger brakes - At LEAST 13" in diameter and 1.25" thickness w/ 4POT or [preferably] 6POT calipers for the front. Rears should be up to ***** as well.

- A MANUAL transmission option.

- Offer a stripped down performance model with race-like seats.

- Turn the automatic paddle shifter into a electronically controlled clutch and gear shifter (like a TRUE paddle shifter should be) <--- I realize this may be asking too much for the price point.

A base new SHO costs less comparatively than a 1999 SHO did. People need to stop with cost.

Agreed! Many of the younger crown (including myself) didn't even have a driver's license when the SHO's were being made (up to Gen II for me). They didn't have a clue what cost really was in a car when it was out... I have the window sticker for my '95 SHO and it sold for $28,000 in 1995.

Current data is only available till 2008. In 2008, $28,000.00 from 1995 is worth:

$39,556.98 using the Consumer Price Index
$37,212.32 using the GDP deflator
using value of consumer bundle
$41,854.52 using the unskilled wage
$47,264.69 using the nominal GDP per capita
$53,990.94 using the relative share of GDP

The 2008 observations for U.S. nominal GDP, nominal GDP per capita, population and GDP deflator are preliminary numbers that will change.
Data for consumer bundle is only available through 2007.
Data for unskilled wage is only available through 2007.

...and although it's not the "original" SHO, you get A LOT more for the the money in today's dollars when comparing back to the early 1990's...