2010 Ford Taurus SHO 272kW AWD
February 11, 2009 by George Skentzos
With intense speculation suggesting the FG may be the last rear-wheel drive Falcon we see from the blue-oval, it seems the alternative may not be all that bad – quite the contrary actually.
Ford Motors has unveiled its all-new flagship Ford Taurus SHO which promises V8 levels of performance with the fuel efficiency of a V6.
A self-proclaimed American ’sleeper’, the Taurus SHO features the new direct-injection 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 engine which reportedly develops 272kW at 5500rpm and 474Nm from 3500rpm.
This power is channelled through a six-speed 6F55 SelectShift transmission with a sophisticated torque-sensing All-Wheel Drive System.
The SelectShift combines typical automatic operations as well as paddle controls for spirited driving which allow “match-rev” downshifts and will hold manually selected gears for precise control.
The driveline incorporates an array of internal electromechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque to the wheels with optimum traction.
“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.
The well-appointed interior is equally impressive with leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10-way power adjustable front seats and aluminium highlights throughout the cabin.
The spiritual equivalent of an XR6 Turbo, the Taurus SHO certainly boasts the performance figures to please Australian buyers in theory, so perhaps the demise of the Falcon wouldn’t be all bad news.
If it were to arrive in Australia, Ford would no doubt restyle the Taurus to suit local buyers – if this is the case would you consider buying one?
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Absolutely, i would buy one. It still looks a little Taurus-esk to me. What does SHO stand for? Sit down and Hold On?
hmmmmm…am i first?
i believe that to restyle this heavy and ancient looking vehicle and its chunky, muslce car like interior to look anything close to the sleek, light and dynamic fg falcon, would take almost as much time and resources as making a new car (a bit exaggerated, but hey it is an ugly car).
I personally don’t like the parallel-ness of the body side as it makes the car seem a bit static and heavy like what pat205gti was saying.
This is another example of Ford really stepping up on their car designs. There are a few hints of the Mondeo and Interceptor flavor that make it fit nicely into the line up of new Fords. I wrote more about the design and about some improvements that could have been done at http://bit.ly/1ab1vE
ok, not first… SHO = Super High Output
I personally think this is a handsome car, and wouldn’t mind it as an alternative to a Falcon. In another slightly unrelated note; I’m also a big fan of the Ford Edge (which would replace the Territory when/if the Falcon dies off), and said Edge with the EcoBoost engine would be a decent seller, no doubt.
Haha, well personally I prefer your definition Salesman, but Pat205gti is correct.
Yeah okay we all know I’m Ford tainted, but I am actually liking this 2010 Taurus…. Jury is still out on the Tail lights but everything else is just… just ….. son NOT Taurus. And the peformance should be quite reasonable too.
Well it looks better than the frumpy Falcon. I know that most like the new Falcon but to me, it just looks like a BA falcon that melted a bit, probably because that is what it looks like. I too am undecided about the back but it would grow on me. Of course, if it came to a decision between this and a Mondeo, I would go Mondeo every time.
Demise of the Falcon?!? Wash your mouth out!
Am I the only one to notice the Symmetrical Dash and console???
Woah! This from Ford! AWD? When they made the focus rs FWD? It’s no Audi…that’s where my money would go if I wanted an AWD frump car.
I just was thinking the same Techno,they opted for FWD because of the weight involved with the AWD ? I thought Fords new anti torque steering system was meant to be brilliant? Perhaps like everything it has its limits?
Bob I noticed,very Volvo”y and very nice!
Not bad, and there is nothing stopping Ford US shipping the car over here sans panels and Ford Aus just fitting new ones to make it look more Falcon-esque.
If this did replace the XR6T, I would miss the 533 Nm of torque though.
Yep…and an FG XR6 turbo would Eat it!!! FG also looks better and is rear wheel drive so it will handle better as well. The Taurus may be AWD but it has an East-West motor which means it would probably be mainly front wheel drive. Therefore I would pick a FG XR6 turbo any day
And Ford fans had a go at KIA for the new Cerato apparently looking like a Honda…
In SHO spec it may look okay but ultimate that car is a pretty boring and conservative looking thing, the Falcon looks significantly better Imo. The front reminds me of a dressed up Hyundai Grandeur and the side profile looks like that awful Chrysler Sebring.
Very nice job Ford, talk about being on top of their game at present, the Taurus will turn many heads, what a great looking and powerful AWD car.
Im with you Gibbo. Unfortunaltely when I think AWD sedan I think of Subaru, but like you said, this Ford will probably be FWD unitl it breaks traction. They use this system in the Rav4(I think) and I have read that with the v6 its a bitch. Too much power to the front wheels and the system doesnt engage the rear fast enough and therfore there is all sorts of torque steer and scrambling for grip.
I would love to give one a bash though, twin turbo and 272kw! Thats has to spark anybody’s interest.
sorry guys id take a falcon any day of the week, that is just too yank trying to do euro for me… and the fg looks so much classier….
Has anyone considered the long-term costs of these ‘eco-turbos’????
Its all good brand new but get one with 150k on the clock that hasnt been treated right and we all of a sudden have the reliability of your everyday riced-up skyline…..
The exterior is a bit bland, i think the interior looks quite nice. I’m more interested about the weight and performance figure though, with a 4wd drive train, weight might be an issue.
I like it, it fits with the current US styling theme, ie. high waisted and chunky. I prefer the look of the FG Falc/Mondeo/Focus/Fiesta styling personally, but if we lose Falcon then the Taurus aint too bad.
I’d be interested to see what the base model, FWD. taxi-spec looks like…
BrisVegas – are you originally from NSW (western sydney) and not Brisbane???
please keep falcon and not this… american build quality, bleh!
No way. Keep the Falcon and let’s see what the next version of the I6 is outputting before making hasty decisions on this US Taurus. The current FG would eat this thing for breakfast. Nup a Falcon XR6T or G6E Turbo for me anyday.
Welcome to your new Falcon replacement Australia….
It looks fugly and dated on the outside, the dash looks like a throw back to the nineties. Somebody get me a bucket.
Yes, I think Ford should kill off the Falcon and brings this here….now!
You don’t need to restyle it, I’ll take it as it is – especially with AWD.
While I love the idea of an Aussie made Falcon and I’m still enjoying my 2005 BFII XR6T if this is the future then the future looks bright.
wait til they road test it first. i’m guessing poor build quality and a tinny engine. looks okay, but beauty is only skin deep of course…
I actually quite like the looks, both inside and out. And I reckon it would do pretty well here if it replaced the Falcon (perish the thought!).
However, as good as the SHO probably is, it would never replace a RWD V8 in the hearts of many Ford fans.
Noooo!! Please keep making the FG Ford. That American thing is more bland than grandma’s camry.
I can hope they will make an AWD Mondeo which leaves this Yankie Doodle effort for dead when it comes to styling. I’ll be interested to read the first steer when it comes.
At least the Falcon will go out on a high. The FG is an excellent car and my mate who’s a Falcon nut will probably be in mourning for a while when the Taurus takes over in 2013.
I hope this new model drives better than the current one. Even in the top line AWD limited model, the engine is a little noisy, 6spd gearbox way too sensitive and feels a little too sedate to drive (even for a luxury car). Mind you the AWD came in handy when driving down unploughed back streets in -15 weather!!
If this does become the next Falcon, they might have a slight glimmer of hope if it is available in OZ with AWD.
Okay,first of all if I could import a Falcon XR6T to Canada make it street legal,I would in a heartbeat.Second if they’re going to replace the falcon with the taurus in 2013,why are they giving the I6 a update?
Looks cool in a v discreet, subdued way, and combines the euro-kinetic design w NA design rather well. Mechanics sound v promising as well, I think a valuable addition to the line-up. This FG series v Taurus debate is rather interesting; they both seem to be made for v different eras, w the former for the olden days while the latter seems to be made for the more enviro-conscious generation. At this stage, prefer the Taurus actually…would sharpen the image of Ford Oz no end…could still keep FG as the repmobile / taxi special.
I would prefer Oz-made, but if this is forced upon us then make sure they put an Aussie front fascia….a bit like how Pontiac put a US one on the commodore.
At least give us the illusion of it not being a Taurus.
+ for the AWD
- for the torque
- for being not from Oz
As long as our versions were tuned to local conditions, with better suspension and handling, and as long as all our versions were AWD!!! they can keep the fwd versions to themselves, and as long as they were assembled in oz..
Seems a lot of you don’t realise that this is actually closer in size to Fairlane than Falcon. It is 95mm longer than FG (12mm shorter than anA8 to be precise & the same width). So the styling in the flesh would be quite different to how you invisage it in the photos. Also explains the AWD as opposed to Revo Knuckle, one is luxury based ones is out & out sport based.
It is also interesting to look at the kit that is available with this vehicle. As to those who commented on the build quality, keep up with the times, for the last two years Ford motor new model vehilces have been in the top 4 placings of those often quoted JD power qulaity rankings….
Nah, it’s got nothing on the looks of the FG OR the performance. For a direct injection twin turbo v6 the output is limp wristed…considering the NON Direct Injected Inline 6 of the FG puts out 310kw & 550Nm (in FPV guise) while still having the handbrake applied to it (so it doesn’t bury or embarrass the GT anymore than it already is). Imagine if the 4.0 litre inline 6 had Direct Injection? It’d be an absolute cracker.
Anyway a heavy AWD, chunky and underpowered Taurus….I don’t think so.
“why are they giving the I6 a update?”
I think this update is to comply Euro IV emissions standards. Which probably helped them score some government dollars. Remember they only promised to keep the factory open beyond 2010, so all this is starting to make painful sense.
How heavy is it?Our Falcon 6cylT already has more way more torque and in F6 guise has way more power…..LONG LIVE FALCON.
What is going on with that rear? It looks like it’s carrying extra weight at the back with that droopy angled bumper. Def. not attractive from the side profile. If they can imitate the Falcon rear a bit, then that would make things A LOT better.
And gosh, even the engine bay is bombarded with black plastics! Oh, and anyone notice it’s got a foot-operated park brake instead of the normal hand brake?
This is one of the best looking cars to come from US, even a Taurus at that. Yeah I would buy one if it were to replace the beloved Falcon. I especially love the way that the US has left that doggoned wedge shape that the FG and Holdens seem keen to hang on to. Its so yesteryear!
the front airdamn is hideous, and the grille looks to small compared to the proportions of the car…
hey i’m an american and while i think the car looks good and and has nice power i much rather have rwd. i own a 02 mustang gt and i love the feel of the power from the rear wheels. oh well if i need a 4 door car i will either get a pontiac g8, dodge charger, or a BMW.
Its sad, we have a nice 310kW F6 Typhoon here, single turbo and that might I6 4.0Litre 3984cc DOHC Dual independent VCT that generates those sweet 310kW and 565Nm of torque!, yet we have this high tech 3.5L V6 Ecoboost. Most of us will be faced with an ethical dilemma here, we love our big 4.0L Inline six, yet the new Ecoboost might replace it, still a great engine, Pete Reyes explained it in some detail, but why not try giving our beloved 4.0L a direct injection system??? and perhaps cylinder de-activation program as standard software in the ECU, and why not just leave the 4.0L I6 here in Australia and continue the tradition.
My dream “for example” Falcon FG say for example series III “in my dreams” would be 240kW@6000rpm, 440Nm@3500rpm N/A
XR6Turbo to be 330kW@5500rpm, 640Nm 1500-5500rpm
F6Turbo to be 380kW@5700rpm, 750Nm 1500-5500rpm
XR8 Twin Turbo 5.0Liter to be 360kW@5500rpm, 700Nm 1500-5500rpm
GT or GT-HO 5.0Liter twin turbo 410kW@6000rpm, 800Nm from 1250rpm to 6250rpm
wouldn’t this be nice??
what do ya think.
I think we should keep the inline six in Australia, give it direct injection, perhaps even out the displacement too, from 3984cc to 4000cc and give it 240-250 naturally aspirated kilowatts and perhaps 440-450Nm of torque naturally for the base model XT.
??? what do ya all think.
I have forgotten to add, i own a nice 2008 FG XR6 Turbo, did a full tune up, just the ECU, and now this thing makes 336fwkW and 641Nm of torque, that is 270 to 336 and 533 to 641Nm with just the firmware or in other words ECU software upgrade “install” if ya wish. Now it kicks 4.5s 0-100km/h any day 20 times a day consistently!
Sam Field
what’s wrong with making a 4.0L straight six in Australia to be placed in an Aussie car. The straight six is a million times easier to work on than a V6. Forget about the appearance, its the drive that counts.