Future of the SHO

[SHO-flames]

I am a new member that have been regularly visiting the SHO Forum ever since I bought my brand new 2011 non-PP Kona blue SHO many years ago. I probably speak for a great many when I say that the developers of this site and the contributors have done an outstanding job. The information presented has helped me immeasurably over the years with various questions I have had about my own car.

Even after 4 ½ years of ownership and 45,000 kms of driving - I still love my car. Ford did an outstanding job. I haven’t done a lot to my SHO; Unleashed 91 tune from Torrie (he is great), new plugs and that is about it. I have done a service on the PTU and as other members have commented – the original oil was difficult to remove (a drain plug would have been nice) and very unhealthy looking. The peeling tail light chrome and unimpressive brakes are ongoing issues that I’ll deal with at some point.

Although I live in Canada, I thought I’d share a couple of motoring articles from Australia (where I am originally from). Australia is where the original Pontiac G8, Chevy SS and the previous Camaro were designed and developed. However Ford Australia also produces some very impressive full-size performance vehicles to compete with the GM products. You can definitely see some Taurus styling influences in the design of the Aussie 4-door although interestingly, the Aussies use their own very powerful turbocharged 6 cylinder engine. Unfortunately the Falcon XR6 and XR8 are going to be the last locally designed performance vehicles produced by Ford Australia. Which leads to the 2nd article that talks a bit about the future of the Taurus in North America and by the looks of things it is not sounding promising for a 5th generation SHO anytime soon.

http://www.motoring.com.au/ford-falcon-sprint-powers-up-101192/

http://www.motoring.com.au/future-fords-far-from-foregone-100996/

By the way the 370kW produced by the factory turbocharged XR6 equals about 500 HP!