Taurus SHO
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The Ford Taurus S.H.O. (Super High Output) was released in 1989 and ended production in 1999 ending a 10 year run as Ford's first FWD Sport Sedan.
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[edit] First Generation
In 1989, Ford released the performance-oriented Taurus SHO, including a Yamaha 3.0 L V6 that made 220 hp and 200 ft·lbf. Although Ford's reasons for creating the SHO are unclear, it is best known that it was created to use up engines that were meant for a competitor for the Toyota MR2 and Pontiac Fiero that was shelved in the middle of development As a result, Ford initially advertised the SHO as a limited production vehicle. However, the SHO turned out to be more successful than Ford had expected, and production continued after 1989.
The SHO differed from the normal Taurus on the exterior by having different bumpers, side cladding, fog lamps. The interior also differed, with sports seats and an 8000 rpm tachometer. The SHO became the only Taurus to feature a manual transmission since the MT5 was discontinued in that year.
[edit] Statistics
- Acceleration, 0 to 60 mph. 6.6 seconds (most times range from 6.5-7.0)
- 1/4 mile elapsed time and trap speed 15.2 seconds @ 92.5 mph (Though some stock SHO's were known to crack the mid-high 14 second area)
- Lateral acceleration, 200 ft skidpad .81g
- Braking distance, 60 to 0 mph 168 ft.
- Interior Noise 45 dBA idle, 71 dBA@70 mph
[edit] SHO Plus
In mid-model-year 1991, Ford brought out the 212A option package that is commonly known as the "SHO Plus." There has been a huge amount of speculation about this package, but here are the hard facts as best we know them. First: This was a cosmetic only package. Nothing of performance substance was included. Second: It does add some value to a used SHO, but not a lot. Third: They are rare, but not rare enough to change the evaluation in the comment above. Fourth: Plus owners should check the leading edge of their plastic hoods for signs that the outer and inner sections might come apart. Early production hoods could "delaminate," with the outer hood separating from the vehicle. A knowledgeable body shop can use modern plastic adhesives to secure the two sections prior to total separation.
[edit] Facts
Production of the SHO Plus started about 4-91.
[edit] Included in the package
- Plastic Power Bulge Hood (not mentioned in the brochure, or order lit, but on every true Plus)
- Plastic Trunk Spoiler (not on some due to out-of-inventory situation)
- 24VDOHC fender badges (made of metal, not plastic like later ones)
- Lower body cladding all body color (no black stripe)
- Black colored outside mirror inserts * see note below (Non-Plus inserts were body color)
- Black B and C Pillar black vinyl appliqué (the brochure says just B pillar, and is incorrect)
- Body Color TAURUS badge on L side of trunk lid (not mentioned in brochure/books)
- White wheels on White Plus models only, other Plus models got "sparkle" Silver wheels
- Jewel Green color available only on SHO Plus....maybe.
[edit] Second Generation
The 1992 SHO model (First year of the Second Generation body style) continued with the same powertrain as before: The Yamaha-developed 3.0L V6 and 5-speed manual transmission. The second generation SHO also got its own front fascia that was a modified Mercury Sable front fascia with a different bumper, fog lamps, and no middle lightbar. The SHO also got unique seats, wheels, side cladding, dual exhaust, as well as a new SHO specific rear bumper.
Starting in 1993, Ford did a minor redesign of the SHO. Interior, exterior, and drivetrain, updating the center console adding trunklid spoiler with integrated center high mount stop lamp. A 3.2 L version of the Ford SHO V6 engine was introduced for automatic-equipped SHO's, which still had 220 hp (164 kW), but now boasted 215 ft•lbf (292 N•m), a 15 ft•lbf (20.3 N•m) increase over the 3.0 L version. It was not available in black (exterior or interior) after 1993.
[edit] Third Generation
Starting in 1996 along with the entire Taurus line-up redesign, the SHO model was also redesigned. The Third Generation SHO was more refined and used much less radical bodywork. It differed from the normal Taurus with larger more comfortable seats, Chrome 5 spoke wheels, longer taller bumpers, an SHO specific spoiler, ZF rack and pinion steering, drive train, as well as a fin being put on the driver's side windshield wiper, to keep it on the windshield at high speeds. Unlike the previous SHOs though, this model was designed for comfort instead of performance.
A 235 hp (175 kW)(@6100 RPM), 230 ft*lbs (@4800 RPM), 3.4 L DOHC V8 was specified for the SHO model, but it was given the same four speed AX4N transmission as the Taurus LX: the manual transaxle was discontinued. Separation of the camshaft from its sprocket has been implicated in a growing number of engine failures, at around the 50,000 mile (80,000 km) mark, and has been the subject of some lawsuits against Ford for negligent design. The standard warranty on this model was 36,000 miles (58,000 km). This problem can be rectified by having the camshafts welded. This SHO model sold in lower numbers than the previous SHO generations, with sales peaking at 9,000 units in 1997. As a result, Ford cut the SHO when redesigning the Taurus for its fourth generation.
[edit] Statistics
- Acceleration, 0 to 60 mph. 7.4 seconds (most times range from 7.4-8.0)
- 1/4 mile elapsed time and trap speed 15.7 seconds @ 90.1 mph (Some reports of stock 1/4 mile times have been as low as 15.1)
- Lateral acceleration, 200 ft skidpad .81g
- Braking distance, 60 to 0 mph 134 ft.
- Interior Noise 44 dBA idle, 75 dBA@70 mph
[edit] SHO Rage
A limited productin SHO Rage was deliberated towards the end of the SHO's run, but only ended up as far as a handful of concept cars. Changes were mostly cosmetic, and not of performance. Changes included a special body kit, upgraded suspension, Borla true dual exhaust cutting to the center of the rear bumper, 18 inch Momo rims, and an all leather black interior. The concepts also had mettalic red paint standard, and contained the standard 3.4L V8 found in the normal GenIII SHO.
[edit] SHO in pop Culture
The second generation SHO entered popular culture due to the fact that a 1992 model is owned by Late Night host Conan O'Brien, and that he often talks about it on his show Late Night with Conan O'Brien, when speaking about his personal life and interests. He devoted a special segment of the show to his SHO, where in a fictional skit, he set off to sell the vehicle and use the money to buy a large estate in Europe. In the skit, he fails to sell the car, but then later in the show pretends to sell the car to Brad Pitt.
Link to video: http://eclipsnetwork.com/index2.php?clip_id=15§ion_id=1
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. 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. 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.
SHO's have also been sighted in many Hollywood movies. Including The Santa Clause, Bloodwork, and Terminator T3.
[edit] The SHOgun
In 1990, Chuck Beck of Special Editions and Rick Titus took seven Festivas, gutted the interiors, and mounted Ford SHO 3.0 L V6s behind the front seats to make the car mid-engined. There were substantial cosmetic and mechanical changes, including relocating the gas tank to the front of the car, structural bracing and improvements to the chassis, adding wider wheel arches to accommodate a wider stance and larger tires, and a complete redesign of the suspension. These changes resulted in a car that could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, travel the ¼ mile (0.4 km) in 12.9 seconds at 100.9 mph (162 km/h), and could achieve a lateral acceleration figure ranging from .95 to 1.04 g . Of the seven, Jay Leno owns the silver one, which is number 003.
