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Taurus SHO

Ford Taurus SHO
2010 Ford Taurus SHO -- 09-07-2009.jpg
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
1st Ford Taurus SHO -- 10-03-2009.jpg
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
Ford Taurus SHO (second-gen).jpg
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
1996-1999 Ford Taurus SHO front.jpg
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
2010 Ford Taurus SHO -- 03-13-2010.jpg
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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