2013 Ford Taurus SHO

Inside, the new Taurus SHO communicates its sporty characteristics 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.

Signature Ford technology is also a key attribute of the new Taurus SHO, with the addition of standard MyFord Touch™ powered by SYNC® driver connect technology and the replacement of several traditional knobs and controls with clear, colorful LCD screens and five-way buttons. These screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using voice command, a simple button click or touch-screen tap.

MyFord Touch is powered by the latest generation of Ford's award-winning SYNC, including sophisticated voice control for vehicle functions, connected Bluetooth® devices, MP3 players and a wide variety of external media.

Enhanced powertrain, refined dynamics
The new Taurus SHO drivetrain continues to use the award-winning and fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed high-capacity 6F55 SelectShift Automatic™ transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters enable the Taurus SHO to match revs for smooth, quick, manually selected downshifts. For the new model, these have been reconfigured for more intuitive operation, with one paddle for upshifts and the other for making smooth, matched-rev downshifts.

SHO dynamics have been enhanced with larger brakes, torque vectoring control – using slight braking to provide the effect of a limited-slip differential – and unique sport-tuned suspension.

Specially calibrated electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) has been further optimized for enthusiast-pleasing road feel and direct, communicative response. In addition to helping Taurus SHO deliver up to 25 mpg highway, EPAS enables the car to park itself with active park assist.

Taurus SHO brake system upgrades include a larger master cylinder, revised booster tuning for improved pedal feel, larger front rotors with 19 percent more thermal mass and 67 percent more swept area to help brakes run cooler. Now vented, the rear disc brakes offer 53 percent more thermal mass.

As with the previous edition, all Taurus SHO models come standard with an advanced torque-sensing all-wheel-drive system to help deliver optimum traction in all weather conditions and to enable the vehicle to efficiently deliver ample torque through all four driven wheels when driving in a sporty, enthusiastic manner.

Loyalist input brings new customers
Direct, unfiltered feedback from the Taurus SHO enthusiast community and input from buyers of this reinvented icon reinforced the idea that evolving the SHO was a very good thing indeed.

'The SHO enthusiast clubs and dedicated online forums were supportive resources for us,' said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager. 'In the interim, our relationship with the enthusiast community has continued to evolve, inspiring us to deliver an even better SHO with the next generation.'

SHO builds on a platform of customer satisfaction.

'Initial Quality Study data from J.D. Power and Associates showed that the 2010 Taurus SHO gained phenomenal acceptance, as 92 percent of customers were satisfied with their vehicles,' said Marentic. 'In addition, Taurus SHO delivered new customers to the Ford showroom at an incredible rate. Roughly half of 2010 SHO customers had not previously considered nor shopped Ford. We frequently see high-end sedans – 3- and 5-Series BMWs and Acura TLs – as trade-ins.'

Taurus SHO is drawing new shoppers to the Ford showroom, based on its unmatched combination of 365 twin-turbocharged EcoBoost horsepower, torque-sensing all-wheel drive, available technologies and up to 25 EPA-rated mpg on the highway.

SHO Performance Package
For discriminating automotive performance enthusiasts demanding the ultimate in uncompromised dynamics and response, the 2013 Taurus SHO offers a new Performance Package that is engineered to deliver greater handling responsiveness, power and durability under more sporting driving conditions.

The SHO Performance Package includes:
•Package-specific sport-tuned suspension with unique dampers and springs
•Performance brake pads and unique track-tuned calipers
•Recalibrated EPAS
•Electronic Stability Control track mode with true off
•3.16 to 1 final drive ratio for enhanced off-the-line acceleration
•Enhanced extreme-duty cooling system
•20-inch machined and painted wheels
•245/YR20 performance summer-compound tires

The new Taurus SHO will be produced at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant.