Just published News on new SHO

[stephen newberg]

Just got this from Canadian Press:

Ford unveils high performance Taurus

7 hours ago

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. is making a powerful comeback with the newly revamped 2010 Taurus, rolling out a high-performance version of the car that was once the best-selling in the country.

Set for display at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show is a Super High Output (SHO) Taurus equipped with 365 horsepower and a V6 engine.

With Ford's EcoBoost technology, the direct injection, turbocharged engine allows drivers to experience V8 engine power, but with V6 fuel economy, the company said.

Ford previously introduced its first supercharged Taurus in 1989 and sold more than 100,000 of the cars through 1999.

Ford unveiled its new 2010 Taurus last month at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

That car and the high-performance version are expected to hit showrooms this summer.

pax, smn

 

[stephen newberg]

And from the Detroit Free Press:

SHO Taurus hits display today
Ford's 2010 high-performance edition to debut at Chicago event

BY MARK PHELAN • FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC • February 10, 2009

Ford will revive its popular SHO -- for super-high output -- badge as it reveals a high-performance version of its upcoming 2010 Taurus sedan at the Chicago Auto Show today.

The new Taurus SHO will come with all-wheel drive and an advanced V6 engine that boosts power 100 horsepower over the base Taurus.

Ford expects the SHO to score 25 m.p.g. in EPA highway fuel economy tests. That would match the fuel economy of smaller and less-powerful, all-wheel drive sedans like the Acura TL SH-AWD and Volkswagen CC.

The original Taurus SHO built a reputation as America's top stealth performance sedan when the first model went on sale with a smooth and powerful Yamaha-built V6 engine in 1989. Ford sold 100,000 Taurus SHOs until 1999.

Despite the economic slump and weak auto sales, bringing the name back on a performance model of the sleek 2010 Taurus is a good idea, said Stephanie Brinley of consultant Auto Pacific.

"It's important for an automaker to look beyond the current situation and have some exciting models," Brinley said. "It's also significant that they're presenting the SHO with a powertrain sensitive to today's climate and concerns about fuel economy and emissions."

The SHO will come with a 3.5-liter V6 fitted with twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection to provide what Ford calls V8 power and V6 fuel economy. Its six-speed automatic transmission will be programmed to match engine revs to vehicle speed to emulate the control a manual transmission provides during hard downshifts and sporty driving.

To further encourage enthusiastic owners, paddle shifters on the steering wheel will allow the driver to shift with both hands on the wheel. Ford also stiffened the suspension and reprogrammed the electric power steering for sporty drivers.

The SHO's interior features leather seats with Miko Suede inserts made from recycled yarn and plastic bottles. Both front seats will have 10-way power adjustments, and the accelerator and brake pedals get aluminum trim.

The car's long list of standard equipment includes keyless entry, pushbutton start, a voice-activated navigation system, blind-spot alert and sensors to warn the driver about oncoming vehicles when backing out of a parking space.

An optional sport package with upgraded brakes and summer tires will also be available.

The 2010 Taurus SHO is to go on sale this summer. Prices are to start at $37,995.

pax, smn

 

[stephen newberg]

And a bit more from Automotive News:

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Ford's 2010 Taurus SHO will start at $37,995

Rick Kranz
Automotive News
February 11, 2009 - 12:01 am ET


DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. hopes to bust the Taurus' sleepy, old-man image by resurrecting the SHO name and packing a 365-hp V-6 under the hood.
Subscribe to Automotive News

"The heart of any SHO is the motor," said Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president of marketing and communications. "The car has better performance and much better gas mileage than a BMW 550i, which uses a 4.8-liter V-8."

The SHO, which is being unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, will get 25 mpg on the highway, Farley said during a press preview earlier this month in Dearborn, Mich. A city gas mileage comparison was not offered.

The SHO will have a base price of $37,995 when sales begin this fall. By comparison, the base 2010 Taurus starts at $25,995. Both prices include shipping.

The original Taurus SHO was a popular car with Ford enthusiasts. Farley said Ford sold 100,000 SHOs from 1989 to 1999.

Unlike the SHOs of that era, the 2010 will not be powered by a Yamaha-engineered and assembled V-6. Under the hood will be Ford's new twin-turbo, 3.5-liter, direct-injection V-6, producing 300 pounds-feet of torque.

Standard equipment will include all-wheel drive and exclusive shocks, springs and sway bars. A six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on each side of the steering wheel also is standard. Previous SHO models were offered with a manual transmission.

An optional performance package upgrades the brakes, adds electronic power steering and changes the shift points for faster acceleration.

Said Farley: "I really think it is a significant product because it telegraphs how important driving feel and performance is to Ford and how we will be different as a car company."

pax, smn

 

[HotRodKid]

Ford previously introduced its first supercharged Taurus in 1989 and sold more than 100,000 of the cars through 1999.

 

[Vnuk1]

Yeah what the F?!

 

[stephen newberg]

Only the totally naive figure that reporters will get details right. Totally ignorable. The bigger news is that as of today a Gen IV SHO has been announced by Ford intended to appear shortly. It will have gobs of HP, twin turbos, a custom suspension, paddle shifters, all wheel drive, and it sounds like serious fun.

If you would rather talk about what the reporters get wrong, well, I think you have a forest for the trees problem.

pax, smn

 

[FlaSho]

Time to make a new category on this website!!!

 

[Bill Strobel]

All of the Ford Press Releases on the 2010 Taurus and SHO as well 50 factory photos of the new SHO are available for download at the Ford Media Site:

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29846

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29686

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29647

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29856

http://media.ford.com/press_kits.cfm?presskit_id=2022

All of the docs are available as pdf downloads. Look at the toolbar on top. From the pdf doc click on the link to the photos.

 

[stephen newberg]

Time to make a new category on this website!!!

Done!

pax, smn

 

[SHO1]

Thanks for the links!

 

[ThatShoGuy]

Taurus SHO: Video Used for Chicago Auto Show Reveal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGDttbTjOT8

 

[FamilySHO]

Base Price of $38,000!!! Guess I'll have to wait five or six years and buy one used for $5,000.

 

[strykr14]

Base Price of $38,000!!! Guess I'll have to wait five or six years and buy one used for $5,000.

Hopefully this Taurus (SHO or SLO) will not depreciate as quick as the 86 - 07s do/did. It would be great to see the Taurus regain its #1 sales crown again.

 

[SHOZ123]

Depreciation of a vehicle is more related to market conditions and not the actual vehicle.

 

[strykr14]

Depreciation of a vehicle is more related to market conditions and not the actual vehicle.

In the Taurus' case, I think it also has to do alot w/the perception that the main target market (30 something family folks) had about the vehicle and domestic cars in general. Many, many late 30 somethings grew up in an era when Japanese cars were getting all kinds of accolades in the press. Caddy could no longer realistically compete with Germany, Lexus and Acura came in and kicked everyones ass, civics replaced Mustangs as the car that kids wanted to drive.

And, in the Taurus' case, Ford made some mistakes in the later Gens. Drum brakes. Best performing engine only had 200hp (not including the SHO - which only came w/an Auto, another mistake IMO). The car lost it's edge as Ford consentrated on trucks and SUVs.

Ask anyone from the age of 25 - 40 about which car is better, Taurus or Camry and I bet you get Camry 9 times out of 10. Wether it's true or not, thats the perception now. As I said, I really hope the new Taurus can change that!

(BTW, I don't want to sound like I'm badmouthing the Taurus on a Taurus website - I own 2 now, and have owed 2 others in the past. And I'll probably own more in the future.)