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The Ford Taurus SHO returns after a decade’s absence from the American auto scene. Formerly Yamaha engines provided the power for the SHO, but today Ford’s new EcoBoost powertrain technology provides the power. EcoBoost in Taurus form includes twin turbochargers and gasoline direct injection. Still with a heavily beefed up 3.5L V6, EcoBoost bumps up power from 263-horsepower to 365-horsepower in the SHO. Torque grows from 249 lb-ft to 350 lb-ft. And rated fuel economy stays the same.
I guarantee that EcoBoost will never meet its rated fuel economy. It’s just too much fun to stay on the throttle.

Upgrades Define Taurus SHO as VERY Competent and Luxurious Driver’s Car In addition to the EcoBoost V6, the SHO package includes all wheel drive, a strengthened 6-speed automatic transmission and numerous interior and exterior upgrades. From an appearance standpoint, it is tough to tell the SHO from the milquetoast Taurus. There is a demure lip spoiler on the decklid. The wheels are different. There are discreet EcoBoost badges. That’s about all. In the interior the upgraded seats include umber inserts of Ford’s equivalent to alcantara – made from recycled plastic bottle caps. The seats are very comfortable and supportive.

Taurus SHO is a Q-Ship But the name of the SHO Taurus is GO, NOT SHOW. It is a Q-Ship among big sedans. Stealth is its game. Taurus is a big car and 365 horsepower sounds like a lot, but its just enough to nudge the SHO into BMW M and Audi S categories. The SHO felt better than the Audi S6 Ford had for comparison in North Carolina during the Taurus reveal. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 was more tractable and felt more powerful than the 4.2L V8 in the Audi S6.

Upgraded suspension settings, brakes, steering, engine, all wheel drive transform the base Taurus into an exhilarating driver’s car. Fast, effortless, quiet, luxurious, the Taurus SHO is quite a machine. A performance car shouldn’t be quiet? Well, when you hit the throttle there is an authoritative note from the engine – not V8-like, but a note that conveys power and confidence. A performance car shouldn’t be luxurious? I beg to differ. A luxury car should have this kind of performance and the SHO delivers.
Pricey at $37,995 Priced at $37,995 without all the options you would like to add, the SHO is a pricey decision indeed. Check boxes for the navigation system and neat features like collision warning, side radar, blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control and you have a $45,000 car. $37,995 is a $6,000 bump over the base Taurus Limited which makes it feel expensive, but this price is a steal compared with Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti and Lexus offerings.
Ford expects to sell 10% to 15% of Taurus as the SHO model. That certainly is a challenge, but the SHO redefines the big powerful car and provides Ford with something they have not had in decades.
By the end of Summer 2009, Ford will have four EcoBoost models – all in the D3 platform – Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Ford Taurus SHO and Ford Flex EcoBoost. All promise to