Taurus SHO
| Ford Taurus SHO | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Model years | 1989–1999 2010–present |
| Designer | Jack Telnack |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class |
Mid-size (1988–1999) Full-size (2010–present) |
| Related | Ford Taurus |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1989–1991 |
| Assembly | Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Ford Dn-5 platform |
| Related |
Ford Taurus Mercury Sable |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L SHO V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed MTX-IV manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.0 in (2,692 mm) |
| Length | 188.4 in (4,785 mm) |
| Width | 70.8 in (1,798 mm) |
| Height | 54.1 in (1,374 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,285 lb (1,490 kg) |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1992–1995 |
| Assembly | Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Ford DN-5 platform |
| Related |
Ford Taurus Mercury Sable |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L SHO V6 3.2 L SHO V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed AX4S automatic 5-speed MTX-IV manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.0 in (2,692 mm) |
| Length | Sedan:192.0 in (4,877 mm) |
| Width | 71.2 in (1,808 mm) |
| Height | Sedan: 54.1 in (1,374 mm)–55.4 in (1,407 mm) |
| Curb weight | MTX: 3,309 pounds (1,501 kg) - 3,395 lb (1,540 kg) ATX: 3,450 pounds (1,560 kg) - 3,505 lb (1,590 kg) |
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1996–1999 |
| Assembly | Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Ford DN-101 platform |
| Related |
Ford Windstar Ford Taurus Mercury Sable |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.4 L SHO V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed AX4N automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in (2,756 mm) |
| Length | 197.5 in (5,016 mm) |
| Width | 73.0 in (1,854 mm) |
| Height | 55.1 in (1,400 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,329 lb (1,510 kg) |
| Fourth generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | June 15, 2009–present |
| Assembly | Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | AWD |
| Platform | Ford D3 platform |
| Related | Ford Taurus |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.5 L Ecoboost V6 Twin-turbo |
| Transmission | 6-speed 6F55-automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 112.9 in (2,868 mm) |
| Length | 202.9 in (5,154 mm) |
| Width | 76.9 in (1,953 mm) |
| Height | 60.7 in (1,542 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,388 lb (1,990 kg) |
The Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) is the high-performance variant of the Ford Taurus. It was originally produced by Ford from 1988 until 1999. It returned in 2009 for the 2010 model year.
The SHO (originally spoken as individual letters, as of 2010, pronounced "show") was built by the same team that produced the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. It was originally created as a limited production model for 1989. However, the car proved to be very popular and sold 15,519 units in its first model year, leading Ford to order more engines and begin series production. The SHO would go on to be produced for ten years in three generations, totaling 106,465 vehicles as of late 1999.
In 1984, executives of the Yamaha Motor Corporation signed a contract with the Ford Motor Company to develop, produce, and supply a compact 60° DOHC V6 engine based upon the existing Vulcan engine for transverse application.
There has been some confusion about the original intended use of the engine. It was thought this engine was first intended to power a mid-engine sports car, that project (known internally as GN34) was canceled. Patents have been found and pictures of prototype SHO powerplants installed in the Taurus show that the original intent was for the larger FWD setup and the GN34 would have come later. There were a few GN34 prototypes produced, most with standard Vulcan engines and a few other factory swaps, a SHO Ranger being one.
Production of the SHO came to an end after the 1999 model year due to plummeting sales. In 1999, just over 3,000 SHOs were sold, which was only a sixth of the SHO's sales numbers from ten years prior. The SHO was revamped with the Sixth Generation Taurus for the 2010 model year.
The SHO differed from the normal Taurus on the exterior by having a Mercury Sable hood, different bumpers, side cladding, and fog lamps. The interior also differed, with sports seats and an 8000 rpm tachometer. The SHO had a Yamaha Built V-6 engine that redlined at 7,000 RPM and became the only Taurus to feature a manual transmission since the 4-cylinder MT-5 was discontinued in that year. The transmission was designed and manufactured by Mazda and had the following gear ratios with a final drive ratio of 3.74:
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Wikipedia