Ford Hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO & more

[EcoBrick Bob]

This was posted on Ford Flex.Net Forum today by "Truckster" who also has a 2010 EB Brick in Ink/White.


Automotive / Industry News

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-tau ... s/#3185476


Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention
by Christopher A. Smith (RSS feed) on Jul 20th, 2010 at 7:57PM


2010 Ford Taurus SHO Convention highlights – Click above for high-res image gallery

Blue Oval execs rolled out the red carpet for Taurus SHO owners last week in Dearborn, MI to welcome 100 privately owned examples and many more enthusiasts to town for the 19th annual national Taurus SHO convention. Ford would love nothing more than to win the approval of the already rabid SHO enthusiast community, many of whom appreciate the performance potential of two turbos and all-wheel drive but aren't necessarily on board with the new super-sized model. To that end, Ford dropped some not-so-subtle hints on what could be in store for the next SHO, a model rumored to be on deck for 2013.

"365 horsepower is good. 400 is better." "The SHO is at the top [of Ford's performance sedan lineup] and we're going to keep it there," said Steve Ling, Ford's North American car marketing manager during a Tuesday lunch presentation at Ford World Headquarters. "365 horsepower is good. 400 is better."

Advanced Engine Design and Development Engineer Brett Hinds spoke at length about the EcoBoost V6 during the Tuesday presentation, noting that the 3.5-liter engine had the potential for considerably more power, as we'll likely see later this year between the fenders of the F-150. That version of the EcoBoost will definitely produce more torque than the SHO's mill, but if the rumors of 400 horsepower for the F-150 are true, a more muscular SHO could indeed be just around the corner.

 

[Jh8990]

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=110800

 

[roland]

if they could make it 400hp, get a more aggressive transmission and drivetrain (maybe a haldex torque vectoring system), lose some weight or at least not gain any, and then throw in an optional sport package with stiffer springs, sway bars, and big brakes, i bet they could get some more of the enthusiast market without losing buyers of luxury cars. It'd probably bump the base price up to 40k though.

 

[firebat45]

400 is nothing, the output of the engine is obviously limited if you look at the dyno curve. It's not the HP bump that interests me, it's the other bumps they must have done to handle the extra power (beefier tranny, etc?).

 

[bpd1151]

I suppose I'll have to "lend" the 2010 to the wife and......

Buy me a new 2013 model year & 400hp+ version when (and if) it arrives.

That's a win win all the way around from my perspective.

 

[OldSalt]

Gimmie More PPOOWWEERR!! 400 is great but 425 is even better!! Bring it on Ford I dare ya! You build it I'll buy it!!

 

[wchain]

I hope so. The 2011 V8 genesis gets 429 hp. Ford needs to turn it up a lil....

 

[SuperHO]

hmmm...i'm thinking the ford folk need to either call Shelby and have him ****** it (even if it causes an unGodly premium) or get ahold of former SVT guru John Colletti and have him wave his magic wand over it...

 

[86si]

My wish list would be

* At least 425 hp to be competitive power wise with the SRT8 line. I would love to see a car this size running 12's although it might take more power than that.

* Better brakes
* Styling that sets it apart from a regular Taurus
* Offer different tire choices with the performance package. I would rather have the option to run the standard higher tread rated non performance package tires. With the AWD I don't really have a need for the stickier lower tread rated tires so getting more miles out of them is nice.
* Be able to get adaptive cruise with the performance package. I love this feature!
* Better speaker package option. The Sony package is ok but I still don't think the sound is there for this class of car.
* Probably wouldn't happen without a major redesign but the trunk is ridiculously huge. I would easily trade some of that space to push that back seat back a bit for some more leg room. The rear leg room isn't bad by any means but when I look at the size of the car it seems like there should be more.


This is all pretty minor because overall the current car is great. I'm still impressed with the ride and quietness of it. It just makes a lot of other nice cars feel cheap now.

 

[bpd1151]

My wish list would be

* At least 425 hp to be competitive power wise with the SRT8 line. I would love to see a car this size running 12's although it might take more power than that.

* Better brakes
* Styling that sets it apart from a regular Taurus
* Offer different tire choices with the performance package. I would rather have the option to run the standard higher tread rated non performance package tires. With the AWD I don't really have a need for the stickier lower tread rated tires so getting more miles out of them is nice.
* Be able to get adaptive cruise with the performance package. I love this feature!
* Better speaker package option. The Sony package is ok but I still don't think the sound is there for this class of car.
* Probably wouldn't happen without a major redesign but the trunk is ridiculously huge. I would easily trade some of that space to push that back seat back a bit for some more leg room. The rear leg room isn't bad by any means but when I look at the size of the car it seems like there should be more.

Well written and I completely agree with you.

Crossing into that 425hp bracket would be competitive w/ other products out there on the market.

Providing additional styling cue's that would set the SHO apart from the lower trim levels of the Taurus is a must IMHO. I mean the 20" wheel package is cool, but the minimal badging and rear spolier is not enough.

I think a different front fascia/grille and even a slightly raised cowl/engine hood would be better.

Hope the blue oval execs are paying attention....

 

[SuperHO]

the stickier tires weren't put on the car to help with straight line acceleration...the track pack was meant for corner carving. well, as much corner carving as you can do in a 2 ton beast with undersized brakes.

 

[86si]

the stickier tires weren't put on the car to help with straight line acceleration...the track pack was meant for corner carving. well, as much corner carving as you can do in a 2 ton beast with undersized brakes.

I realize that which is why I'm just asking for the option to separate the tires from that package because the better geared transmission that comes in that package does help with straight line acceleration but you can only get it with the stickier tires.

 

[SHODWN]

Hey Super **, I guess you should have came to the track where you would have see a "2 ton beast" pass every OLD SHO with ease.. You do live in MI right?

Whats the excuse for not being there when its in your own state to see how the "2 ton beast" does.

Sometimes you really sound like a *******, because you never take the time to look for yourself.

PS..
Im over 400hp
Better Brake pads
Stainless Lines
Intake and exhaust.

You also missed every FORD exec durring the Convention Banquet going out side with me to see and ride in the car..

 

[SHODWN]

Ps. that Red car in the Autoblog main Pic is soooooooooo Sexy!

 

[86si]

I was trying to envision the other day if they would look good at all with a black chrome finish instead of getting rid of the chrome. Not a big fan of chrome.

 

[SuperHO]

you misunderstood me...i'm not saying it's not a capable track weapon. In fact, it would appear that it's incredibly agile for it's size and heft. I was simply making a sarcastic comment that got misconstrued as opinion is all. I know this fat beastie's capable of defying physics in all aspects.

 

[RonPorter]

I realize that which is why I'm just asking for the option to separate the tires from that package because the better geared transmission that comes in that package does help with straight line acceleration but you can only get it with the stickier tires.

Yeah, separating the gearing from the 20" wheels would be nice. I would rather have 19" or even 18" wheels to save the weight and get some gearing, and put sticky tires on those. Sticky summer tires rock!

Call me old-fashioned (shut up, Kirk!!), but I would like a spare tire like the 19"-wheel SHOs get.

 

[SHODWN]

Yeah, separating the gearing from the 20" wheels would be nice. I would rather have 19" or even 18" wheels to save the weight and get some gearing, and put sticky tires on those. Sticky summer tires rock!

Call me old-fashioned (shut up, Kirk!!), but I would like a spare tire like the 19"-wheel SHOs get.

For 1 I dont understand why the 12s package cant come with a spare.. The non 12s owners with 20s have a spare in the trunk. I checked Paul Thomas's car.. But anyway, Leslie is a or used to be a professional wood worker and Ive given her the task of making a full sized spare tire cover like we used to get in the Gen 1-2 cars..

And well you are old you know..

Best thing about the "tire mobility kit" is they give you fix a flat in the truck.. the manual says do not use fixaflat!..

 

[darreli]

86si...Wheel horsepower or crank? My car makes less than 425 awhp, but I run 12's all day.

Kirk, are you making over 400 awhp?

Oh and I think the silver car is waaaaaaaaay more sexy!

 

[86si]

86si...Wheel horsepower or crank? My car makes less than 425 awhp, but I run 12's all day.

Kirk, are you making over 400 awhp?

Oh and I think the silver car is waaaaaaaaay more sexy!

If Ford rated it a 425 hp but it really did 425 to the wheels I would love them forever