Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Blue Oval execs rolled out the red carpet for Taurus SHO owners last week in Dearborn, MI to welcome 100 privately owned examples and many more enthusiasts to town for the 19th annual national Taurus SHO convention. Ford would love nothing more than to win the approval of the already rabid SHO enthusiast community, many of whom appreciate the performance potential of two turbos and all-wheel drive but aren't necessarily on board with the new super-sized model. To that end, Ford dropped some not-so-subtle hints on what could be in store for the next SHO, a model rumored to be on deck for 2013.

"The SHO is at the top [of Ford's performance sedan lineup] and we're going to keep it there," said Steve Ling, Ford's North American car marketing manager during a Tuesday lunch presentation at Ford World Headquarters. "365 horsepower is good. 400 is better."

Advanced Engine Design and Development Engineer Brett Hinds spoke at length about the EcoBoost V6 during the Tuesday presentation, noting that the 3.5-liter engine had the potential for considerably more power, as we'll likely see later this year between the fenders of the F-150. That version of the EcoBoost will definitely produce more torque than the SHO's mill, but if the rumors of 400 horsepower for the F-150 are true, a more muscular SHO could indeed be just around the corner.

Convention Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-...on-highlights/

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/f...ual-conventio/

whoster

I'd rock one.

SLegacy99

I'm not sure why they made the Taurush SHO. It would seem to me that a Fusion SHO would be more preferable.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Spy Shots: More evidence of 400-hp Taurus SHO?

When we reported last month that Ford may push the Taurus SHO up to 400 horsepower, it caused quite a stir in the comments. Speaking at the annual SHO Convention held this year in Dearborn, Steve Ling, Ford's North American car marketing manager told us, "365 horsepower is good. 400 is better." Words are one thing, but new spy shots from ace photog Brenda Priddy and her gang confirm that Ford is definitely planning something for the 2012 Taurus SHO.

This Limited-badged Taurus caught hot weather testing in the South West is pretty easy to spot as a SHO. The SHO-specific wheels are the dead giveaway, but out back we also see the SHO's two large tailpipes poking out of a modified rear valence. What's particularly interesting is the car's front end, which is heavily wrapped, most likely to obscure design changes to the 2012 SHO's front end that will further separate its look from standard Taurus models.

While we there's no evidence in these spy shots confirming that Ford is pushing the car's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 up to 400 horsepower, the fact this car was caught hot weather testing could indicate that engineers are there to see how a more powerful version of this engine acts when the mercury skyrockets. That said, they could also just be testing how any changes to the front end design affect engine cooling for the current engine.

We're also hoping they're testing new brakes for the SHO, because the current car's stoppers have enough trouble hauling down this heavy sleeper sedan without another 35 hp making matters worse.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/13/s...hp-taurus-sho/

IS350jet

Bring it!! I would love to see a Fusion SHO

trukn1

Because you can't have the Taurus name floating around , without, and SHO version. The SHO has always had a big following amongst the enthusiasts, and let's face it,, the Taurus name has been around for well over 20 years now. Not having the SHO version is like sacriledge to the legacy. Over the past few years and design models, Ford got very "creative", and wierd with the Taurus name and even, at one point was going to kill it off. Glad to see that they gave it another shot. Honestly, I have seen a few new Taurus' on the street, and even quite a few SHO versions,, I just can't stop looking at them. They are very attractive. I actually would not mind owning one, after test driving one. I was very pleasantly surprised.

<VENOM>

all they have to do is turn the boost up, an SHO with multiple settings would be great

ABC

Taurus is rwd, right?

J.P.

SHO is AWD

LexFather

BRING IT!!!! Hope its not 50k though.

plex

iTrader: (11)

They should make this ecoboost motor an option in the V6 mustang.

stick

The current SHO weighs 4368 lbs!! Ford needs to turn up the boost to make 450+ hp and include the Brembo brakes that come with the Mustang.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

FWD and AWD offerings

And cut the fat!