After driving the standard Taurus yesterday, Top Speed finally got a chance to get behind the wheel of the almighty SHO and it was a pleasant surprise , and we’d love to tell you about it, but we can’t, not until June 23rd. However, we can tell you a little bit more about the 3.5 Liter Eco Boost engine that it has under the hood. This is Ford’s next generation engine with plans for the six cylinder that has the benefits of a V8 while getting the efficiency of a smaller motor.
This is the first twin turbocharged direct injected V6 in North America, making 102 additional horse power over the base car’s Duratec motor of the same size. Direct injection is a beautiful thing, initially developed for endurance racers, this method of fuel delivery allows for the most controlled combustion possible, injecting exact amounts directly into the combustion chamber. These systems have the benefit of getting better gas mileage and making more power at the same time compared to traditional multi port fuel injection.
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO also features a beefed up transmission to handle the 12 psi of boost from both snails to make a ground pounding 350 lb-ft of torque from the next generation internal combustion engine. Ford is so dedicated to this engine design, that the last American automotive manufacturer left standing plans on introducing Eco Boost into 90% of their future product lineup. If you are partial to an inline setup, and hesitant to go with a V6 there is good news, because Ford is also working on a 4 cylinder version of Eco Boost.
Continued after the jump with video of Ford Advanced Engine Design and Development Manager Brett Hinds talking about the new Eco Boost in the 2010 SHO.
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So we are about to drive the new for 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. Despite all the talk about the “SHO,” we have yet to see the factory tuned Ford to be referred to by its proper name. For anyone who doesn’t remember the original badass four door was known as the “Super High Output” model. We couldn’t think of any other words to better describe the new high performance people mover.
There are a few touches that separate the SHO from the lesser Taurus models, like the chromed front grill and the new power bulge on the hood. The SHO also upgrades to a set of LED driving lights on the front corners and SHO emblems just behind the rear windows and another EcoBoost badge on the trunk. The rear end of the SHO is also distinguishable by the rear wing and chrome strip that ties the taillights together. The Ford Taurus SHO also rides on a asset of unique 19 inch rims or a set of optional 20s.
Most importantly the SHO will have a twin turbocharged version of Ford’s new 3.5 Liter EcoBoost V6 under the hood making 365 HP. This is the same motor that the blue oval has been using in their vehicles for the last few months. The power plant offers the benefits of V8 power with the emissions and fuel consumption of a V6. Is this the next evolution of performance vehicles? We’re not sure, because we are about to take the SHO for a spin ourselves, however we won’t be able to tell you about it until June 22nd.
Ford has a new flagship vehicle in their lineup and they brought Top Speed along for the ride. So far from what we have learned about the new Taurus from our press trip is that it is a car that is more about me, and less about we. Intended for individuals who have outgrown the responsibilities associated with owning a crossover, but still want to be able to take the occasional passenger for a ride. The new for 2010 Ford Taurus packs the same attitude and style that the blue oval is famous for instilling in their trucks. The Ford engineers and marketing team are calling the new Taurus America’s smartest full size vehicle due to the laundry list of safety, comfort and performance features that are packed into the attractively styled four door.
The design team focused on creating a bold exterior and a great interior, two tasks at which they have succeeded. Their goal was to infuse the new Taurus with what they call Ford DNA: the look, the feel and the fun of a Ford. While we can’t tell you about how the new car handles until June 22nd, we can tell you that the look and feel are spectacular, we especially like the massaging front buckets.
The Ford engineering team set out to build a vehicle that was engaging and fun to drive, they succeeded. The Taurus was designed by a group of cohesive engineers and was developed in the digital world, a process that cut 12 months off of the new car’s development cycle. The new Taurus offers the latest and greatest from the blue oval, and is a step in the right direction for any American automaker. Stay tuned to Top Speed for future updates about the Ford Taurus and high output SHO model that we will be getting our hands on tomorrow.
We can’t wait for boost.
Ford unveiled the new 2010 Taurus today at the Detroit Auto Show. sales will begin in the summer, and prices will start at $25,995 – the same price as 2009 models.
The 2010 Taurus comes with a more sculpted and powerful design, with new headlights combined with recessed parking lamps frame a new expression of the signature Ford three-bar grille and a new lowered roofline. It gets new exterior colors: Candy Red Metallic Tint, White Platinum Metallic, Steel Blue Metallic, Gold Leaf Metallic and Ingot Silver Metallic and new 17- to 20-inches wheels.
Inside, a forward-leaning center stack – home to the climate controls, audio components and available navigation screen – flows in a continuous unbroken form through the instrument panel and down into the center console. The smart design allows for the interior to be formed with unbroken lines to impart seamless quality and craftsmanship.
The 2010 Taurus comes standard with Ford’s proven Duratec 3.5-liter V-6, generating 263 hp and 249 lbs-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a Grade-Assist hill-holding rollback prevention feature, paired with an economical 2.77 final drive ratio.
| Model | Series Code | Base vehicle price | MSRP |
| SE | P2D | SE – Front Wheel Drive | $25,170 |
| SEL | P2E | SEL – Front Wheel Drive | $27,170 |
| Limited | P2F | Limited – Front Wheel Drive | $31,170 |
| SEL | P2H | SEL – All Wheel Drive | $29,020 |
| Limited | P2J | Limited – All Wheel Drive | $33,020 |
| SHO | P2K | SHO – All Wheel Drive | $37,170 |
Press release after the jump.
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The American hot-rodders Hennessey were made famous by bolting a set of turbochargers to Dodge Vipers and then tuning them to produce anywhere from 800 to 1000 HP and given the name Venom. Now the tuners are focusing their attention to the new Ford Taurus SHO. Because the Taurus is part of Ford’s new Ecoboost family, the turbos now come from the factory, and because the manufacturer’s intention was to increase fuel economy there should be plenty of unused power waiting to be unleashed. Expect to see basic upgrades like intakes, exhausts and even boost controllers at first; but turbo and intercooler upgrades should follow close behind.
The new Ford Taurus SHO is already impressive, sporting a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine that delivers 365 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm. We’ve already seen what Hennessey can do with a Viper, so we’re getting excited about what may come from the family hauler.
