2010 Ford Taurus SHO 272kW AWD
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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