What is the top speed of the Taurus SHO?
The modern Taurus SHO is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). Across its two main generations, top speeds have differed, with the contemporary EcoBoost-powered model capped at the factory limit and the original SHO capable of lower, but still brisk, speeds under favorable conditions.
Generations at a glance
To understand how fast the Taurus SHO can go, it helps to look at its two primary eras: the original turbocharged four from the late 1980s/early 1990s and the modern EcoBoost-powered version that ran from 2009 through 2019.
Original Taurus SHO (1989–1991)
The initial Taurus SHO used a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four. In practice, top speeds were generally in the low-to-mid 140 mph range, with actual figures depending on year, tire condition, gearing, and road testing conditions.
Modern Taurus SHO (2009–2019)
Ford equipped the modern Taurus SHO with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivering about 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. For most trims, the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h), reflecting a higher performance ceiling that is nonetheless capped by software and homologation limits.
Note: Real-world performance can vary based on tire wear, vehicle load, and other conditions, so individual results may differ from factory specifications.
Factors that influence top speed
Several variables can affect how close a Taurus SHO driver gets to the listed top speed, beyond the manufacturer’s limiter. The following factors help explain potential discrepancies between spec sheets and in-car experience.
- Vehicle load and ballast, including passengers and cargo
- Tire rating, condition, and size (speed rating affects maximum safe speed)
- Aerodynamics, including accessories and roof racks
- Gear selection and transmission programming
- Fuel grade, octane, and engine tuning
In practice, the official top speed is the limiter set by Ford, and real-world results will vary based on the car’s condition and the surrounding environment.
Summary
For the contemporary Taurus SHO, the official top speed is 155 mph (250 km/h). The original SHO, by contrast, operated in the roughly 130–140 mph range under favorable testing conditions. Across both generations, top speed is influenced by weight, tires, aerodynamics, and software settings, so individual results will differ.
