The Forgotten Ford Sedan That Out-Drags V8 Muscle For Camry Money
There’s a Ford sedan that packs serious heat because it’s twin-turbo, like a police interceptor, and delivers high-performance power. Sadly, the sedan is overlooked and forgotten due to having a bit of a sleeper status when it deserves more respect. But its sleeper status may serve as a silver lining, as used models can be scooped up at bargain prices.
The car has a classic moniker from the late 1980s that was briefly revived to continue its reputation for combining luxury, comfort, and raw power without the flashy looks that sports cars like to flaunt. It blends in while looking like a modest family sedan. However, it’s basically the same as an unmarked police car.
Drivers use this sedan to leave muscle cars in the dust with V8-like grunt that’s combined with standard all-wheel drive. Plus, it has an engine with plenty of tuning potential, making it a narural pick for sleeper builds. It could be worth hunting for this legend before its secret gets out and prices increase.
Sedans Were Being Overlooked
The late 2000s served as a bit of a sleeper car era as people overlooked sedans for SUVs and crossovers instead. They were exploding in popularity due to being perceived as safer options. However, sedans were still matching or even exceeding large SUVs in official crash testing and braking tests.
Also, drivers were looking for more practical vehicles with the ability to do more. The higher ground clearance and increased passenger and cargo space became valuable to more active families looking to move beyond the limitations of sedans with limited trunk space. They also wanted the ability to go off-road. Plus, SUVs were becoming more fuel efficient in the late 2010s. They were built with modernized, more fuel-efficient engines.
But Ford wasn’t ready to let sedans die. It wanted to prove that turbocharged engines could provide V8-like power while being more efficient. The automaker also wanted to pair its high-performance potential with standard all-wheel drive to offer a more practical sedan. Not only would it compete against SUVs, but it rivaled German V8s and flashy muscle cars as well.
The Ford Taurus SHO Made Its Return
If the Ford Taurus SHO sounds familiar, then you might remember the original model from 1989. The Ford Taurus Super High Output was born with the help of Yamaha to compete against luxurious European imports like the BMW M5. It was supposed to be a strictly limited production model but faced overwhelming consumer demand.
The 1989 Taurus SHO has a 3.0-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V6 engine with 220 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds and will cover a quarter-mile in roughly 15.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 143 mph. Because of its unassuming style as a family sedan, it quickly became a legendary sleeper car.
This popular sleeper sedan lasted in production until 1999 with three generations and eventually got a V8 engine and an automatic transmission. But it was discontinued due to declining sales and its controversial oval redesign. Ford made the mistake of dropping the manual transmission, which upset enthusiasts, and the Yamaha V8 engine suffered from mechanical flaws.
|
Car |
Engine |
HP |
Torque |
|
1989 Ford Taurus SHO |
3.0-liter DOHC V6 |
220 |
200 LB-FT |
|
2010 Ford Taurus SHO |
3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 |
365 |
350 LB-FT |
In the late 2000s, Ford wanted to re-create this success while showcasing its new twin-turbo EcoBoost engine. As a result, the 2010 Taurus SHO made its return with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine that delivers 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.2 seconds with a 14.1-second quarter-mile time and a top speed of 120 mph in factory configuration. However, it can be tuned to reach 155 mph.
The Ford Taurus SHO Is A Police Interceptor’s Twin
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO has much in common with the Taurus-based police interceptor. With the Performance Package, available for $995, you could get upgraded high-performance brake pads designed for enhanced fade resistance during aggressive driving. It also has a higher final-drive ratio of 3.17:1 to boost low-end and mid-range acceleration.
The package features an aggressive sport-oriented calibration for electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), and it adds distinct 20-inch premium painted wheels wrapped in high-end summer-compound performance tires. An exclusive ‘Sport Mode’ for the AdvanceTrac electronic stability control system and enhanced cooling complete the package. The all-wheel drive system instantly sends power to the pavement without inducing wheelspin.
But the Taurus SHO maintained its sleeper status despite being a police interceptor in plain clothes. It maintained a normal, unassuming style that allowed it to blend in as a family sedan with luxurious amenities. It goes unnoticed in traffic, hiding its potent power. In fact, the SHO model looks almost the exact same as the rental-fleet model.
The Taurus SHO also maintained its reputation for luxury and comfort with premium amenities such as leather-trimmed 10-way power seats with Miko Suede inserts, massaging front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium Sony audio system, push-button start, a driver’s door keyless entry keypad, and voice-activated navigation.
Now The Taurus SHO Is A Bargain
Even though the 2010–2019 Ford Taurus SHO has a cult following, it wasn’t exactly popular. It was often passed up for luxury European models or V8-powered muscle cars instead. But the Taurus SHO remained in production until 2019. The sedan was discontinued due to decreasing sales and its aging platform.
The Taurus SHO faced a high depreciation rate due to its popularity among rental and government fleets. Used models have been widely available in the market as a result. Plus, the full-size sedan market lost a lot of steam around 2010, which further impacted its resale value. Now it stands out as a used high-performance bargain.
Not only does it have hidden power, but the fourth-generation Ford Taurus SHO has tons of modding potential. The EcoBoost engine is a hit among tuners because significantly more hp can be extracted with basic bolt-ons and software. And, thanks to its AWD, the Taurus SHO serves as a solid performer year-round in areas with harsh winter weather.
2010–2019 Ford Taurus SHO models in fair condition and with over 120,000 miles can be found for between $5,000 and $7,000. Sedans in good condition with between 80,000 and 120,000 miles are often sold for around $7,000 to $10,000. Then the models in excellent condition with under 80,000 miles often sell for about $10,000 to over $15,000.
This regular-looking sedan secretly harnesses supercar engineering, and once the word gets out, prices could rapidly increase. Plus, the fourth-generation Ford Taurus SHO was produced in limited numbers. It only accounts for about nine percent of the total production volume, but exact build numbers haven’t been released. Fewer than 15,000 models may survive today.
Source: Ford, Auto Catalog Archive
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