Ford’s reintroduced for 2010 Taurus SHO was already a very capable sedan, coming with 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque and a 0-60 mph time of around 6.0 seconds. In fact, the EcoBoosted V-6 SHO was even able to hold its own against a V-8 powered Audi A6, as you’ll see by clicking here, so the latest 2013 model making its debut this week at the 2011 New York Auto Show must be really something special.
It gets improved dynamics, bigger brakes and a more refined look that draws some influences from the Mustang. The Taurus SHO has always been a ‘sleeper’ and for the 2013 model designers have managed to keep the car’s understated, yet sporty elegance.
Unique features include a black mesh grille, a fender-mounted scallop with a SHO badge and 19-inch wheels shod with P255/45VR-19 all-season tires. Buyers can also choose 20-inch machined and painted wheels.
Inside, the new Taurus SHO continues the sporty theme with a perforated leather wrapped steering wheel, leather-trimmed sport seats with embroidered SHO graphics, unique woven aluminum trim and adjustable aluminum pedals with memory. There’s also the latest MyFord Touch interface system, which does away with many of the control knobs of the outgoing car.
No changes have been made under the hood, though the six-speed automatic transmission’s pseudo manual paddle shifters have been revised. For the new model, these have been reconfigured for more intuitive operation, with one paddle for upshifts and the other for making smooth, rev-matched downshifts.
In terms of dynamics, the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO gets bigger brakes, torque vectoring control (using slight braking to provide the effect of a limited-slip differential), and unique sport-tuned suspension. The car’s electric power-assisted steering system also been turned for a sportier feel, and, of course, all-wheel drive remains as standard.
EPA fuel economy numbers have yet to come in but Ford claims a 25 mpg rating for the big sedan on the highway.
Also new for 2013 will be an available Performance Package that ups the suspension setting and brakes, reconfigures the steering, adds 20-inch wheels and a 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio, and adds a ‘true off’ mode for the traction control.
Look out for a sales debut of the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO in the first half of next year. In the meantime, click here for our full coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show.
