Ford Taurus SHO

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)

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.[1] The transmission was designed and manufactured by Mazda and had the following gear ratios with a final drive ratio of 3.74:

The first generation Taurus SHO can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds[9] with a quarter mile time of 15.0-15.2 seconds. Car and Driver reported in their December 1989 issue a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).

A special edition of the SHO called the Plus package became available in late 1990. It came as part of option package #212A and contained different styling cues from the standard SHO, including a plastic 'Power Bulge' hood, chrome window trim, a plastic spoiler without the 3rd brake light, body colored stripe in the lower cladding, black mirrors, black B and C pillars, rod shifter upgrade, and a body color TAURUS badge. There were also some SHO's that came with only part of the package options known in the community as a 'partial plus'. White painted pluses had the option of white painted "slicer" wheels. [10] 1991 was the only year that a "Mocha Frost" color option was offered. Also in 91 a green called "Deep Jewel Green Clearcoat Metallic" was available, but only with the plus option.[11]

Second generation
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)

The SHO was redesigned for 1992, although it continued with the same powertrain as before: The Yamaha Built V-6 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. The second generation SHO borrowed from the Mercury Sable's front fenders, hood, and headlights, but used a different bumper, fog lamps, and no middle lightbar.[12] The SHO also got unique seats, side cladding, dual exhaust, as well as a unique rear bumper. 1992 models can be visually identified by not containing a rear trunklid spoiler, having downturned exhaust tips, and only a driver's side airbag (later models have both driver's and passenger airbags). For the 1993 model year, the rear brakes on the SHO were converted to solid discs, replacing the vented discs of almost identical dimensions that were used in the 1989–1992 model years.

The lack of an automatic transmission had hurt sales, which was a situation that Ford rectified for MY 1993 . A 3.2 L version of the Ford SHO V6 engine was introduced for the automatic-equipped SHO, which still had 220 hp (164 kW), but now boasted 215 lb⋅ft (292 N⋅m), a 15 lb⋅ft (20 N⋅m) increase over the 3.0 L version.[13] It was later discovered by enthusiasts that Ford had put less aggressive intake camshafts in the 3.2L motor to maintain the same horsepower rating as the 3.0L, while still having more torque. The 1993 to 1995 automatics use the AX4S (previously named AXOD-E) transmission with these ratios:

For MY 1993, Ford did a minor redesign of the SHO interior, updating the center console. Other changes for 1993 included a trunklid spoiler, with integrated center high mount stop lamp, and "Italian" or directional Slicer wheels. With the addition of Italian slicers the SHO now had right and left specific wheels.[12]

The 94-95 model years featured very subtle changes. They no longer came with chrome trim around the windows, the door handles were now painted body color, and black was no longer offered as an interior or exterior color.

By request of Car and Driver magazine, a SHO station wagon was created by the Car and Driver staff with the help of Ford engineers.[14] They started with a production Taurus wagon, and from there installed SHO bodywork, including its unique front end. They then replaced the stock engine and drivetrain with SHO drivetrain. Inside, the interior was replicated of that of a high spec SHO sedan, including its sport seats, steering wheel, and included most of the SHO's equipment.[14] The staff then tested it, and took it on a cross country trip. The model became nothing more than a one off special, and the Car and Driver staff as well as Ford admitted that the SHO wagon was created "just for fun", and was never meant to be a serious production vehicle.[14]

This generation of SHO has become prominent in American pop culture due to comedian Conan O'Brien using a green 1992 model that he personally owns in a number of comedy sketches. He would later facetiously claim to be the main influence behind Ford's decision to revive the model in a 2009 sketch when he "reviewed" the 2010 SHO with a Ford employee.

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[15]
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)

For 1996, the SHO was redesigned, following the Ford Taurus (third generation) design . Unlike its predecessors, this SHO was more refined and used less radical bodywork. It differed from the normal Taurus with different seats, Alloy wheels, bumpers, V8 drivetrain, as well as a fin being put on the driver's side windshield wiper, to keep it on the windshield at high speeds. This SHO model sold in lower numbers than the previous SHO generations, with sales peaking at 9,000 units in 1997.[3] As a result, Ford cut the SHO when redesigning the Taurus for its fourth generation. It was also the only Ford Taurus generation with a V8 Engine.[16]

The last one rolled off the assembly line on June 18, 1999.

Fourth generation
Overview
Production	June 15, 2009[21]–March 1, 2019[22]
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	76.2 in (1,935 mm)
Height	60.7 in (1,542 mm)
Curb weight	4,388 lb (1,990 kg)

A month after the introduction of the sixth generation Taurus, Ford unveiled the much-awaited return of the SHO at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.[8]

Rear view

After skipping two Ford Taurus generations, the resurrected sport sedan has all-wheel drive and is largely derived from the Ford D3 platform. It features a 3.5 liter direct-injected Twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 producing 365 hp (272 kW) at 5500 rpm and 350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m) of torque at 1500-5250 rpm,[23] mated to Ford's 6F55 [24] six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with a paddle- or console-activated Manual mode.

The new SHO comes with Ford's new SR1 suspension setup with MacPherson front struts and a multi-link design in the rear. This includes SHO-specific shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars and strut mount bushings. An optional Performance Package offers better brake pads, recalibrated steering, a "Sport Mode" for the stability control, additional cooling capacity, engine oil cooler, transmission cooler, PTU cooler, a shorter 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio, summer tires, spare tire delete, mobility kit (tire inflator with sealant), an Alcantara wrapped steering wheel, and will not offer adaptive cruise control.

A 2012 SHO was featured in the film Men in Black 3 as the MIB's official car.[25]

Visually, the differences from the regular Taurus are subtle. The 2010-2012 models were even more subtle, sporting a chrome wide-toothed grill, SHO C-Pillar logo and 5-spoked wheels. The 2013-current model employs a black grille with small honeycomb-shaped/mesh-like look, 19" or optional 20" "flower" design wheels with other 20" designs in later years, and SHO fender badges replaced the C-pillar logo. They all have a decklid spoiler, dual polished stainless steel exhaust tips, new parking lamp bezels, a SHO EcoBoost rear logo.[2][26]

• Ford Taurus
• Sleeper (car)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford Taurus.

• Official Ford Motor Company website
• Ford Vehicles website
• National SHO Club
• EcoBoost Owners Forum - Owners Forum
• Taurus Car Club of AmericaSHO Forum
• SHO Source