2010 Ford Taurus SHO Press Release.
Ford Breaking NEWS
Taurus SHO Returns with 365HP
Ecoboost V-6, PLUS ALL-Wheel Drive, Paddle-Shift SIX-Speed gearbox
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Chicago, Feb. 11, 2009 – One of
America’s favorite “sleeper” performance cars returns to the Ford lineup,
powered by a Super High Output (SHO) EcoBoost twin turbocharged engine.
The Taurus SHO joins Ford’s growing lineup of performance vehicles for the 2010
model year, building on the legacy of the original, which earned a spot on the
Car and Driver 10Best list four years running.
“The new Taurus SHO delivers on the authentic sleeper sedan formula but adds all-new luxury-appointments, convenience features and technologies to an unsurpassed balance of power and fuel economy,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “This new sport derivative answers enthusiasts’ calls for a premium Ford flagship sedan with even more attitude.”
Introduced in 1989, Taurus SHO was
conceived as a discreet performance-oriented sports sedan, ideally suited to the
automotive enthusiast needing the room and capability of a four-door full-size
car. Produced through 1999, more than 100,000 were sold.
The original Taurus SHO generated a
loyal following of owners and enthusiasts, with an active club more than 1,000
members strong, an online forum with more than 10,000 registered users and a Web
site (bringbackthesho.com)
specifically devoted to convincing Ford to resurrect the SHO. The 2010 Taurus
product development team spent significant time listening to SHO enthusiasts.
EcoBoost™ Twin-Turbocharged Power
The foundation of the new 2010 Taurus
SHO is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost
V-6 engine. This advanced powerplant generates an estimated 365 horsepower at
5,500 rpm
and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm, resulting in significantly improved
power, torque and fuel economy compared with larger, normally aspirated
engines. This also is Ford’s most powerful EcoBoost engine.
A key feature of this EcoBoost engine
is gasoline direct injection. The direct injection of fuel into the cylinder
during the intake stroke, as opposed to port-style injection to an externally
mounted intake, produces a well-mixed air-fuel charge. Fuel vaporization during
the intake stroke cools the incoming air, improving volumetric efficiency and
lowers the likelihood of knock.
The results are improved throttle
response, reduced cold start emissions characteristics and improved fuel
economy. The cooled charge enables an increased compression ratio, improving
efficiency at partial load, while the higher compression ratio allows for better
volumetric efficiency under full load engine behavior. Customers will
experience normally aspirated
V-8 power, without compromising V-6 fuel economy.
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 also uses
twin turbochargers, as opposed to a single unit.
The reduced size of each turbocharger results in reduced internal inertia,
allowing this advanced engine to avoid the “turbo lag” often prevalent in
earlier-generation turbocharged applications.
From the driver’s seat, the rewarding
result is linear power delivery across a broad torque band from 1,500 through
5,500 rpm. Peak torque building quickly off idle ensures responsive
acceleration from a standing start.
SelectShift with paddle controls and All-Wheel Drive
The new Taurus SHO driveline combines a
high-capacity six-speed 6F55 SelectShift transmission with a sophisticated
torque-sensing All-Wheel Drive System. These components work in harmony to
deliver ample traction when putting EcoBoost power on the road. The
six-speed transmission offers a wide array of gears to enable spirited
acceleration, yet comfortable high-speed cruising, through a 2.77 to 1 final
drive ratio.
SelectShift provides conventional
automatic operation or a manual shift mode that gives the driver complete
control over gear selection. For performance-minded drivers, paddle controls
allow “match-rev” downshifts and will hold manually selected gears for precise
control. Intuitively operated, a squeeze on either paddle will deliver an
economical upshift under acceleration, while a gentle push forward brings a
smooth downshift, synchronizing the engine and transmission speeds for
responsive and positive engagement.
The Taurus SHO driveline is
contemporized with the incorporation of a sophisticated All-Wheel Drive System
that engages automatically and unobtrusively. The unit contains an advanced
array of internal electromechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque to
the wheels with optimum traction. Standard all-wheel drive allows the Taurus
SHO to efficiently deliver its high performance to the pavement under a wide
variety of conditions.
“Taurus SHO suspension and steering
have been sport-tuned to provide discriminating drivers with precise control,
confident handling, communicative feedback and a compliant ride,” said Pete
Reyes, Taurus chief engineer.
Taurus SHO features an advanced
electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) system, providing responsive road feel
and enhanced on-center balance while offering the additional benefit of
increased fuel economy. SHO also features a sport-tuned suspension with unique
shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars and strut mount bushings specifically
developed and harmonized to deliver the highest level of Ford DNA road holding,
cornering agility and steering responsiveness available in a Blue Oval full-size
sedan.
Taurus SHO takes full advantage of the
multi-link SR1 rear suspension design. Named for the 1:1 shock absorber ratio,
this configuration provides an inherently stable baseline for the SHO
development team to fine tune for enhanced driver control and agility. In
addition, the SR1 rear suspension geometry provides increased travel, while
enabling the use of 19- and 20-inch wheels and tires.
For the discriminating automotive
enthusiast, Taurus SHO offers an available SHO Performance Package consisting of
upgraded brake pads, recalibrated EPAS for even more responsiveness,
a “Sport Mode” setting for the standard AdvanceTrac® Electronic
Stability Control and a shorter 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio for faster
acceleration. Summer-compound 20-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires on
premium painted wheels also are included.
SHO Specific Subtlety
A key element of the authentic SHO formula is the subtlety of its unique exterior design cues.
Features include sporty premium painted
wheels, wrapped in standard low-profile 19-inch Goodyear Eagle or optional
20-inch Michelin high-performance tires, a decklid-mounted spoiler and twin
chrome exhaust tips. SHO also features a uniquely finished interpretation of
the Ford signature three-bar grille with SHO-specific parking lamp bezels.
“Taurus SHO was always a stealth
high-performance car,” said Earl Lucas, exterior design manager. “The new SHO
builds on the expressive design of the 2010 Taurus, adding subtle cues that set
it apart.”
The 2010 SHO is available in a wide
range of new Taurus colors including Atlantis Green Metallic, a unique SHO color
inspired by the iconic Emerald Green hue appearing in 1992.
The new Taurus SHO interior encourages
performance driving. Leather-trimmed seats with Miko Suede inserts, made from
recycled post-consumer yarns from plastic soft drink bottles,
are comfortable and luxurious. A perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel puts
the driver in smooth touch with the road. Front seats are 10-way power
adjustable. SHO accelerator and brake pedals are trimmed in aluminum. The
console, instrument and door panels feature
SHO-specific authentic aluminum appliqués. SHO branding appears on the unique
floor mats, and on the passenger side of the instrument panel.
Taurus SHO: Performance and Convenience
The 2010 Taurus SHO offers an
impressive array of standard convenience features as well as optional features
and content. Standard Taurus SHO amenities include:
Intelligent Access with Push Button
Start, a new Taurus feature allowing drivers to enter the car and start the
engine without using a conventional key. Drivers simply carry the fob as they
approach the vehicle, touch the SecuriCode™ keyless entry keypad, open the door
and enter, apply pressure on brake pedal and push a button to start the engine.
MyKey allows enthusiasts to
activate a restricted driving mode, persistent Belt-Minder® safety
belt reminder, audio system volume limits, an earlier low-fuel warning, and
consistently-engaged AdvanceTrac® stability control. The top vehicle
speed can be limited to 80 mph, and speed chimes can be programmed to engage at
45, 55 or 65 mph further protecting their investment.
Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel Filler
System, a unique feature that eliminates the need for a traditional fuel
cap. Easy Fuel is a hassle-free solution that provides a consistent self-seal
after every refueling.
Ford SYNC®
is the fully integrated, in-vehicle voice-activated communications and
entertainment system standard on Taurus SHO. The system combines 911 Assist,
Vehicle Health Report and GPS-based features including business search and call
completion.
SYNC connects to MP3 players, iPods, memory sticks and PDAs. The latest version
of SYNC in the Taurus SHO adds Traffic, Directions and Information, providing
turn-by-turn route guidance and the capability to access and personalize
content.
Ambient Lighting allows the
Taurus SHO driver to program interior lighting from a choice of five soothing
colors to suit any character or preference.
The 2010 Taurus SHO comes standard with
the full array of active and passive safety equipment and features offered
across the Taurus range.
Available options on the 2010 Taurus
SHO include:
Reverse Camera System, a unique
SHO option, activates when reverse gear is selected providing the driver with
additional rear visibility, projecting on the windscreen mounted rearview
mirror.
Adaptive Cruise Control, which
allows the driver to set the Taurus SHO cruising speed while using radar
technology to monitor traffic travelling up to 600 feet ahead, automatically
adjusting speed to help maintain a preset distance between vehicles. Adaptive
Cruise Control comes with Collision Warning with Brake Support providing
visible and audible warnings when slower traffic is detected ahead. Brake
support is activated if the driver does not respond to provided warnings, and
pre-charges the brake system to prepare the vehicle for stopping.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert consists of two multiple beam radar modules, one each per rear quarter panel. When an adjacent vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone, and indicator alert provides driver warning in the corresponding sideview mirror.
Cross Traffic Alert uses
existing BLIS radar modules to sense oncoming traffic while the Taurus SHO is
slowly backed from a parking space. When cross traffic appears within three car
widths, the system provides a visible message on the instrument panel in
combination with a sideview mirror warning and an audible signal.
Multi-Contour Seats with Active
Motion™ can be specified in conjunction with heated and cooled first-row
positions in the new Taurus SHO. Multi-Contour functionality provides subtle
but continuous massage to help prevent back pain and fatigue and is ideally
suited to meet the needs of long-distance drivers.
Voice-Activated Navigation System
includes a 10 GB music juke box hard drive and a single CD/DVD player. When
combined with the optional rear camera system, rearview projection appears on
the centerstack-mounted navigation screen.
Sony Audio System offers 12
speakers, a digital amplifier, 390 Watts of continuous power (RMS), 115 dB of
maximum bass sound pressure level and Dolby® Pro Logic® II surround technology.
The 2010 Taurus SHO will be built at
Ford’s Chicago (Ill.) assembly plant and will be available in dealerships this
summer, starting at a base price of $37,995, including destination.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about
213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned
brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial
services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding
Ford's products, please visit
www.ford.com.