Ford Taurus SHO (2010)

Overview:

The new Taurus SHO, if a rather large and unwieldy platform to begin with, makes good use of the new twin turbocharged EcoBoost V6 that has been making its way through the Ford and Lincoln lineups in nearly every new model introduction. In SHO trim, the EcoBoost makes 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque. Coupled with Haldex-sourced "sophisticated torque sensing all-wheel drive" and a paddle-shifted 6 speed automatic (no DSG here, this is a Ford after all), the SHO should be a worthy addition to Ford's budding performance lineup. The Taurus SHO is based, of course, on Ford's "new" Taurus platform, which is really a reworked and rebadged version of the failed Ford 500 line. In addition to all this and unlike Ford's own Mustang line, the SHO gets a more sophisticated independent suspension setup, with MacPherson struts up front and multilinks in the rear. Will it drive as good as it looks on paper? Let's hope so. The first thing you notice when you see the outside of the 2010 Taurus SHO is that it is enormously large when compared to its competitors. The second thing you notice is that it looks very similar to the standard Taurus; however, that is the very idea behind the car. “Taurus SHO was always a stealth high-performance car,” said Earl Lucas, exterior design manager. “The new SHO builds on the expressive design of the 2010 Taurus, adding subtle cues that set it apart.” With that in mind, the 2010 SHO shares the same tall and bulky profile as the standard Taurus, but with slight modifications. Some of the slight exterior modifications over the standard Taurus include a deck lid-mounted spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, a Ford signature three-bar grille with SHO bezels, standard 19-inch, 5-spoke premium painted wheels, and SHO badging galore. Though the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO does present a sharper exterior than the standard edition, we expected a lot more, considering the nearly $40,000 price tag. It is reported though, that the 2012 Taurus SHO will have a little more to be desired aesthetically. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO undoubtedly offers one of the most attractive interiors we have ever seen at egmCarTech with its very driver oriented, cockpit-like styling. Perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, and 10-way power adjustable, leather trimmed seats with Miko Suede inserts only add to the overall experience. Standard features on the 2010 Taurus SHO SHO include; Keyless entry, keyless push button start, dual-zone climate control, instrument panels backlit with Ford’s Ice Blue lighting, 6 disc in-dash CD player with SIRIUS satellite radio and 6-month paid subscription, ambient lighting courtesy of Ford’s MyColor feature, and Ford’s MyKey feature which allows drivers to completely customize their driving experience and restrict driving modes available to other drivers. Also standard on the SHO is Ford’s Sync system, with MP3 player and iPod connectivity. The latest version of Sync also gets traffic reports, and and turn-by-turn directions with en route guidance. Despite the lack of V8 engine, the SHO is far from disappointing when it comes to being a performance sedan. The 3.5L V6 twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine produces 365-hp at 5,500 rpm and delivers a maximum torque of 350 lb-ft. The extremely responsive engine is always ready to move, regardless of what speed or gear the car is in when one stomps on that accelerator. The 6-speed 6F55 SelectShift Automatic Transmission and all-wheel-drive system take the SHO from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 5.2 seconds with a top speed that is governed at 133 mph. While many are quick to point out that the 133 mph is 10 mph lower than the 1989 Taurus SHO, we highly doubt you’ll be hitting that speed in your SHO on any major U.S. highway without attracting attention from cops. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is not without flaw however. The steering is lifeless, the braking is subpar and it weighs in at a whopping 4,361 pounds. The brakes are very effective, but fade rather quickly. The curb weight and loose steering contribute to the presence of understeer and causes the car to handle poorly when taking turns at high-speeds. Also, one thing we do wish that the 2010 Taurus SHO did have was launch-control. As for those wondering how effective the EcoBoost technology is in saving fuel – the EPA estimates that the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO will return a fuel-economy of 17/25 mpg (city/highway), meaning you will experience normally aspirated V8 power without compromising the V6 fuel economy. Throughout our week-long test we averaged a combined fuel-economy of 19 mpg, which is pretty impressive for a car in this segment.

Performance/Specifications:

Chassis

• Wheels: 19 inch (optional 20 inch) alloy.
• Front Suspension: MacPherson strut.
• Rear Suspension: Multilink independent, stabilizer bar.

Drivetrain

• Layout: Front Engine, AWD.
• Transmission: 6 Speed Paddle-Shifted Automatic.
• Final Drive Ratio: 3.16:1

Engine

• Type: SHO EcoBoost Twin Turbo V6
• Displacement: 3.5 liters.
• Horsepower: 365 bhp
• Torque: 350 lb-ft.

Exterior

• Tires F-R: Goodyear Eagle F1 (optional).
• Body Type: 4 Door, 5 Seat Sport Sedan.