Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford SHO Taurus

The SHO finally returns to the Taurus lineup for 2010, and it's going to be a proper storming-fast super saloon this time around.  Just by the numbers, expect this super-Taurus to leave a few astonished looks on the faces of sports car drivers all over America: 365 horsepower.  350 lb-ft of torque.  Electronic torque-sensing all-wheel-drive.  6 speed automatic with paddle shifters.  It actually sounds more like an Audi S4 than a Taurus.

Now, let's be clear: this new SHO isn't quite as "special" as the original.  The first-generation SHO, which debuted in 1989, was a hard-edged sports sedan, completely out of the blue, with a high-winding 3.0L 24v V6 with head developed by Yamaha.  Back in it's day, it was capable of some copious attitude-adjusting performance; 0-60 arrived in the mid sixes thanks to the 220bhp powerplant, and the availability of a 5-speed manual transmission.

This new SHO is merely the moniker Ford has attached to the EcoBoost-equipped new Taurus.  I'm fine with that; this car is going to be amazing.  As with the other EcoBoost Fords (Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT Crossover), the motor is a 3.5L 24v V6 with direct fuel injection, and two small Honeywell GT15 turbochargers.  This setup provides tons of power (365@5500rpm) with plenty of low-end torque (350@1500-3500rpm) with minimal lag.

This powerful motor is mated to Ford's corporate 6F55 "SelectShift" automatic, with paddle shifters(!) and aggressive manual-shifting algorithms as well as rev-matching software for downshifts.

Suspension modifications to the Taurus include the typical tighter springs, stiffer dampers, and thicker anti-roll bars to take advantage of the new independent rear suspension.  The SHO rolls on 19" alloys with Michelin performance all-season tires as standard.

What's interesting is the optional "SHO Performance Package" - basically a track pack.  It consists of more aggressive-compound brake pads, recalibrated stability control with an integrated "Sport" mode that allows more slip before intervention, a 3.16:1 final drive (as opposed to the stock 2.77:1), and 20" alloy wheels mounted with Goodyear Eagle F1-GS summer-compound performance tires.  "Track Pak Taurus" sounds tempting!

Exterior differences are quite minimal, in typical SHO fashion.  There is a small "SHO/EcoBoost" badge on the back (pictured in lead image), small "SHO" badges on the c-pillars, the aforementioned unique 19" alloy wheels, chromed twin exhaust tips, and some different foglight surrounds.  And... that's it.  Subtle and classy, just like the old SHO's.

Being a new Ford, and a top-of-the-line one to boot, the SHO is jammed full of all the toys that Ford could fit in it.  Keyless entry and ignition, SYNC connectivity, MyKey for paranoid parents (limits top speed to 80mph, does all sorts of other annoying things), and other goodies.  Optional are a rear backup camera, voice-activated navigation, active cruise control, Blind Spot Information System (pinched from Volvo; useless), and a killer 12-speaker Sony/Dolby Surround-Sound setup with 390 watts of power, an integrated subwoofer and amplifier, and all the connectivity your various MP3 devices require.

The new SHO starts at a base price of $37,995, and expect the SHO to start annoying BMW drivers again when it hits dealer lots this summer.  Europe, sorry!  For once, we get an awesome Ford you don't!