Huntervf
Bored now
Finally got a press car at WR--red with the track pack--and finally had a chance to push the car pretty hard. Here are my top 10 observations:
First observation: The engine note in this car is MUCH louder inside than the prototype I took to Kalamazoo. It's still a very quiet car mind you, but this car had plenty of intake growl, and even a bit of turbo whistle under light-moderate acceleration. Either Ford's been paying attention to the criticism, or this press car is a ringer. More on that to come.
Second observation: I can nearly make myself sick from multiple 0-80-0 runs.
Third observation: Experienced no brake fade, but even after two successive hard stops from 80 the brakes were HOT and they stayed HOT for a good while. Mind you, they aren't nearly as bad as stock gen II brakes, but I can definitely see where this car needs something better.
Fourth observation: C-pillar blind spot almost makes having the BSM a necessity, which you can't have with the track pack.
Fifth observation: This car will corner much harder than you expect it to, and remain quite composed doing it... at least with the track pack. I had a couple "oh shit what am I doing" moments today, only to wind up in mid-corner saying "oh shit, I could've taken that 10mph faster."
Sixth observation: The paddle shifters during aggressive driving--and the ability to hold a gear regardless of RPM--make this car much more entertaining than just letting the box do the work, but it's still not as engaging as a manual trans. Unfortunately, I'm now starting to dislike the ridiculously-small "thumb" downshift control. If you're on a straight, it's fine, but make sure you select your gear before going into a turn. I'll give the engineers credit though... when you do choose a gear--be it up or down--it shifts ******* QUICK with no lag.
Seventh observation: This car feels quite a bit quicker than the prototype in Kalamazoo. Feels a bit stiffer and a bit louder overall too, including road and wind noise.
Eighth observation: Seats could stand to have more side support. I didn't really mind them, but Michelle HATES them. The headrests suck too.
Ninth observation: Either the speedo was off, or speed is VERY hard to gauge, because 90 felt like 70. Even Michelle commented that it felt slower than what was being indicated.
Tenth observation: I still think this is a great car, but within a 1/2 hour of parking it I was behind the wheel of my 93 ATX, and yeah, I could definitely sense the size and weight difference. I stand behind my statements that the new SHO will drop your jaw when you see how well it goes--and especially turns--given its size, but when you go from a 2010 SHO to a 1993 SHO you immediately feel the size difference. And even though a stock 1993 SHO couldn't hold a candle to what this new SHO does, the 93 never the less just feels more willing and eager. According to Michelle... the 2010 just doesn't feel as fun.
Overall: Now I'm going to drive an actual production SHO from a dealer, see how it compares. Manufacturers delivering "ringer" cars to press fleets isn't unheard of, and it just seemed like this SHO had quite a bit more oomph than the prototype I took to K-zoo and the media car I drove at the proving grounds last month, all of which had the track pack. This thing set me BACK, and it even had a slight tug of torque steer through the first couple gears. As for noise, whether Ford did something to generate more intake growl, or removed some sound dampening, or whether this is just a beat-up press car, I don't know, but the engine noise in this car is now right about where I'd like it. Of course, there's also a bit of extra wind noise as well, but it's still a very quiet cabin. Plus, this particular SHO still had the emissions-exempt sticker underhood, telling me it's not a straight production model.
Anyway... some more food for thought. I'll report back after I've driven a bona-fide production car.
First observation: The engine note in this car is MUCH louder inside than the prototype I took to Kalamazoo. It's still a very quiet car mind you, but this car had plenty of intake growl, and even a bit of turbo whistle under light-moderate acceleration. Either Ford's been paying attention to the criticism, or this press car is a ringer. More on that to come.
Second observation: I can nearly make myself sick from multiple 0-80-0 runs.
Third observation: Experienced no brake fade, but even after two successive hard stops from 80 the brakes were HOT and they stayed HOT for a good while. Mind you, they aren't nearly as bad as stock gen II brakes, but I can definitely see where this car needs something better.
Fourth observation: C-pillar blind spot almost makes having the BSM a necessity, which you can't have with the track pack.
Fifth observation: This car will corner much harder than you expect it to, and remain quite composed doing it... at least with the track pack. I had a couple "oh shit what am I doing" moments today, only to wind up in mid-corner saying "oh shit, I could've taken that 10mph faster."
Sixth observation: The paddle shifters during aggressive driving--and the ability to hold a gear regardless of RPM--make this car much more entertaining than just letting the box do the work, but it's still not as engaging as a manual trans. Unfortunately, I'm now starting to dislike the ridiculously-small "thumb" downshift control. If you're on a straight, it's fine, but make sure you select your gear before going into a turn. I'll give the engineers credit though... when you do choose a gear--be it up or down--it shifts ******* QUICK with no lag.
Seventh observation: This car feels quite a bit quicker than the prototype in Kalamazoo. Feels a bit stiffer and a bit louder overall too, including road and wind noise.
Eighth observation: Seats could stand to have more side support. I didn't really mind them, but Michelle HATES them. The headrests suck too.
Ninth observation: Either the speedo was off, or speed is VERY hard to gauge, because 90 felt like 70. Even Michelle commented that it felt slower than what was being indicated.
Tenth observation: I still think this is a great car, but within a 1/2 hour of parking it I was behind the wheel of my 93 ATX, and yeah, I could definitely sense the size and weight difference. I stand behind my statements that the new SHO will drop your jaw when you see how well it goes--and especially turns--given its size, but when you go from a 2010 SHO to a 1993 SHO you immediately feel the size difference. And even though a stock 1993 SHO couldn't hold a candle to what this new SHO does, the 93 never the less just feels more willing and eager. According to Michelle... the 2010 just doesn't feel as fun.
Overall: Now I'm going to drive an actual production SHO from a dealer, see how it compares. Manufacturers delivering "ringer" cars to press fleets isn't unheard of, and it just seemed like this SHO had quite a bit more oomph than the prototype I took to K-zoo and the media car I drove at the proving grounds last month, all of which had the track pack. This thing set me BACK, and it even had a slight tug of torque steer through the first couple gears. As for noise, whether Ford did something to generate more intake growl, or removed some sound dampening, or whether this is just a beat-up press car, I don't know, but the engine noise in this car is now right about where I'd like it. Of course, there's also a bit of extra wind noise as well, but it's still a very quiet cabin. Plus, this particular SHO still had the emissions-exempt sticker underhood, telling me it's not a straight production model.
Anyway... some more food for thought. I'll report back after I've driven a bona-fide production car.
