What is the Taurus SHO performance package?
The Taurus SHO (Super High Output) performance package is a popular option for Ford's full-size Taurus sedan, offering a more powerful and dynamic driving experience. Introduced in the late 1980s, the SHO has become a beloved choice for those seeking a blend of practicality and performance in a family-friendly package.
What is the Taurus SHO Performance Package?
The Taurus SHO performance package is a factory-installed upgrade that enhances the standard Taurus sedan with a range of performance-oriented features. The key components of the SHO package include:
- Powerful Engine: The SHO is equipped with a high-output V6 engine, typically a turbocharged or supercharged unit, that delivers significantly more horsepower and torque than the base Taurus model.
- Upgraded Suspension: The SHO features a sport-tuned suspension system, often with stiffer springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars, to provide a more responsive and engaging driving experience.
- Improved Brakes: Larger, high-performance brakes are included in the SHO package, providing enhanced stopping power and better control during spirited driving.
- Distinctive Styling: The Taurus SHO typically features unique exterior design elements, such as a more aggressive front fascia, rear spoiler, and distinctive wheels, to set it apart from the standard Taurus.
- Enhanced Handling: The SHO's performance-oriented upgrades, combined with its powerful engine, result in improved handling characteristics, allowing the sedan to tackle corners and curves with more agility and precision.
By incorporating these performance-focused enhancements, the Taurus SHO package transforms the family-oriented Taurus into a more engaging and driver-focused sedan, appealing to those who seek a balance of practicality and excitement behind the wheel.
The History of the Taurus SHO
The Taurus SHO first debuted in 1989, marking the introduction of a high-performance variant of Ford's popular Taurus sedan. The original SHO was powered by a 3.0-liter Yamaha-designed V6 engine that produced 220 horsepower, a significant increase over the standard Taurus. This combination of a powerful engine, sporty handling, and distinctive styling made the SHO a hit with enthusiasts, and it quickly gained a loyal following.
Over the years, the Taurus SHO has undergone several iterations, with each generation offering refinements and improvements to the performance package. The SHO has been available in various forms, including front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, and has been powered by a range of high-output engines, including turbocharged and supercharged V6 units.
Today, the Taurus SHO continues to be a popular choice for those seeking a practical, family-friendly sedan with a healthy dose of performance and driving excitement.
What is the most common problem with Ford Taurus SHO?
Top Ford Taurus Problems
- Engine Oil Pan Gasket May Leak.
- Engine Buck/Misfire at Freeway Speeds.
- Problem With Idle Air Bypass Valve May Cause Engine Performance Problems.
- Camshaft Sensor Magnet may Damage Synchronizers.
- automatic lights not working.
- Blown/Cracked Head Gasket Can Cause White Smoke From Exhaust.
What is special about Taurus SHO?
The power is transmitted to the front wheels by a Mazda-manufactured five-speed manual transaxle. No automatic is offered. This powertrain makes the Taurus SHO the world's most powerful front-drive car. That's a potential prescription for disaster, because the dynamics of motion are not kind to muscular front-drivers.
Did the Taurus SHO have a Yamaha engine in it?
The Ford Super High Output (SHO) V8 engine was designed and built by Ford Motor Company in conjunction with Yamaha Motor Corporation for use in the 1996 Ford Taurus SHO.
How much HP can a Taurus SHO make?
For the first time, a Yamaha-built engine is not under the hood of a SHO. Not to worry: Ford's 3.5-liter “EcoBoost” V-6 makes 365 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque at 3500 rpm.