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2010 Taurus SHO: Twinturbo 365hp AWD

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Old Feb 11, 2009 | 01:11 PM
  #16  
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Weight is going to be a hair under 4000 pounds, about 250 to 300 pounds over the base Taurus. Engine is lighter than a V8, but as was correctly noted, the AWD system (along with the car coming pretty much loaded with everything) packs on weight.

Acceleration should be a tick over 5 seconds. No clue on quarter mile or top speed, though I'm almost certain it will be governed.

Dead right on fuel economy, and that's going to be the draw with this car: This level of performance with unexpectedly high fuel economy.

The price seems astronomical on the surface, but shouldn't surprise anyone who knows the history of Ford's non-Mustang GT performance vehicles. Ford's SVO Mustang, original Taurus SHO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupes, Thunderbird SCs, & Cobras were all somewhat mature and very high priced toys.

The thing with these type of Ford cars is that they are aimed at guys who wear suits to work, not the person who just got out of apprentice training, or has gotten his 1st raise at the job.

Of course, the rest of us pick one of these things up used when the price drops to our level, then we go out hunting for a large troves of people who forgot or never heard of these stealthy and unexpectedly Fast Fords.

As an owner of 3 previous Thunderbird SCs, I know.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 03:13 PM
  #17  
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There are exactly TWO 4 door sedans that get my blood pumping just by looking at them. A Chrysler 300C is one...


This is the other. Well done, Ford
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 03:24 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Jason E
There are exactly TWO 4 door sedans that get my blood pumping just by looking at them. A Chrysler 300C is one...
Really?

I guess if you like to look like you are driving an Abrams tank without the big cannon...

Give me a G8 over both of 'em (not that the new Taurus is bad).
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 03:24 PM
  #19  
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Is this engine still going into the Mustang as was the rumor before?
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 03:38 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by 96_Camaro_B4C
Really?

I guess if you like to look like you are driving an Abrams tank without the big cannon...

Give me a G8 over both of 'em (not that the new Taurus is bad).
Don't get me wrong, I like the G8. A lot. For me personally, that mini-Bentley, slit-windowed 300 just screams badass and luxury at the same time. I've loved the car since it debuted in '04 as an '05 model...2 years before I started working here. And once you drive one, you want one even more IMO...

It may be 5 years old now, but the design of the 300 C is still gorgeous to me. I realize though it isn't for everybody. I've tried to get my wife to let me trade her Comp G in on either a new V6 Challenger or used 300 C...she doesn't like the look of the 300, sadly
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 03:45 PM
  #21  
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too bad they didn't do this to the fusion.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 03:49 PM
  #22  
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It would be great if they put this engine in the Mustang. I'll hold out to see what they do with the Fusion. Even the ecoboost 4cylinder would be great in that. If it doesn't have a stick though, my next car will probably be a Mazda.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 04:23 PM
  #23  
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The front looks great. The rear not so much, but it isnt horrible. I hate the steering wheel but the rest of the interior looks nice. I hope it does well. I think it will.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 05:42 PM
  #24  
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Dang!
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 06:58 PM
  #25  
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I'm very interested in the powertrain. Ford should put the DI TT V6 into everything that moves... well almost everything if it lives up to the promise.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 07:27 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by SSbaby
Very impressive features list on the loaded SHO... but I also notice Ford have conveniently left out the curb weight of this model. With AWD and a full features list, I'm guessing it won't be a lightweight... so any fuel savings over a V8 will be negated to a large degree.
The heavier Lincoln MKS AWD Ecoboost will be rated at 16mpg city and 25mpg highway. The N/A MKS AWD is rated at 16/23 for comparison. The N/A MKS AWD is also 500lbs heavier than the N/A Taurus AWD (currently rated at 17/24).

My guess: if Ford managed to get 16/25 in an MKS that's about 500lbs heavier, the taurus should be good for around 17/26. Not bad for a full-sized 365hp AWD sedan.

This engine would get much better fuel economy figures in a lighter rwd car *mustang*

My only gripe would be pricing. It isn't unreasonable but a starting price under 35k would have been better.

I'm already looking forward to the Ecoboost Fusion. I'm sure that'll carry a much cheaper price tag and a what i'm hoping will be class-leading performance and fuel economy.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 08:07 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by z28 justin
It would be great if they put this engine in the Mustang.
It could happen.



GT350.
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 08:22 PM
  #28  
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Very impressive. Looks good and seems to back it up with ample power. I think the price is a coupe $k too high but in this economy everything is negotable if one can get the credit they need.
It would be nice if it had a manual trans. I remember enjoying the thrill of clicking off gears in a '94 SHO.

The new engine looks great and almost GTR like!
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 08:33 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by 99SilverSS
Very impressive. Looks good and seems to back it up with ample power. I think the price is a coupe $k too high but in this economy everything is negotable if one can get the credit they need.
It would be nice if it had a manual trans. I remember enjoying the thrill of clicking off gears in a '94 SHO.

The new engine looks great and almost GTR like!

Nothing is quite as beautiful as the old SHO V6 though.


Old Feb 11, 2009 | 09:01 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Z284ever
Nothing is quite as beautiful as the old SHO V6 though.


I see an intake manifold that looks like a dieseased set of intestines... WTF is so beautiful?



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