The Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) was introduced in 1989. The SHO was promoted as a sport/luxury sedan and boasted an impressive 220 hp 200 ft-lbs torque 3.0L Yamaha V6 and was only available with a 5-speed manual transaxle. It started as a project for the Ford Mustang SVO development team, which had succeeded in acquiring a budget to take an existing car platform and modify it into a 4-door sports sedan. They settled on the Taurus platform because it looked similar to BMW.

The Ford SVO group outsourced the SHO engine to Yamaha. The target engine design was for 210 horsepower and 190 foot-pounds of torque and Ford designed the SHO's 5-speed manual transmission with those specs in mind. However, Yamaha proudly delivered an engine with a stunning 220 hp and 200 ft-lbs of torque. Despite this, Ford never modified original specs of the 5-speed to account for the improved engine specs. Because of this, early SHO's were notorious for blown clutches in the first 12 months.
- Source: Ford Electronics Technical Group (now known as Visteon)

• The famous 3.0L DOHC V6
• A performance suspension with stiffer bushings and McPherson struts
• The EEC-IV engine control system
• Front airdam with fog lights
• New wrap-around rear bumper with SHO logo
• Side skirts
• A sport instrument cluster with tachometer
• Gray dashboard face
• A leather steering wheel with the SHO insignia on the central horn pad
• Front bucket seats with leather bolsters and lumbar controls
• Fully adjustable power driver's seat
• Dual tuned exhaust
• Four wheel disc brakes
• 15" aluminum alloy Basketweave wheel rims

The original SHO program was planned for only the 1989 model year, with the possibility of a 1990 model year if sales were promising. However, by mid-1989 it was obvious that the car was a hit. The target buyer was a 30-something male professional that had either owned a muscle car in their youth, or yearned for a BMW but couldn't afford the sticker. As dealerships were having a hard time keeping the car in stock, Ford realized that they had a hit and made plans to continue the SHO for additional model years.

Ford's official production numbers for the SHO, along significant changes:

Notes:

• The Gen 1 SHO is seen as the stealthiest and bears the closest resemblance to a BMW. It is also the fastest. Most common comment is "Wow, what is that you're driving"? Because of the ground effects, it is often seen as too different to be quickly identified as a Taurus.
• The Gen 2 SHO looks more like a respectable family sedan and is easily identifiable as a Taurus. Seen by some as the last true SHO.
• The Gen 3 SHO is widely regarded by many SHO enthusiasts as a completely different car with the SHO logo slapped on it. Body, engine, suspension, chassis,  performance, and personality is all different. Mechanically incompatible with previous cars in every way. Cosmetically, it looks like any other Taurus. Gone was the uniqueness of the car and famous engine. Despite the V8, the car was much slower compared to the original SHO. Also, as a result of the redesign, the driver's seat cannot easily fit anyone taller than 6'1".

Official SHOShop.com - Ford Taurus SHO Resources
No warranty is expressed or implied as to the accuracy of any of the information here.
Privacy Statement