The Ford Taurus SHO Might’ve Been the Most Obscure Performance Car of the 90s
If there’s one thing that we have to admit about the 1990s, it’s that there were a lot of unlikely heroes in the performance vehicle world. It seemed like a time in which automotive manufacturers were willing to take risks and while the outcome wasn’t always a product that stuck around, some of the results became instant classics.
One of those classics was the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output), a high-performance version of the Ford Taurus sedan that really stood out as a spectacular example of an early-performance sedan. It was basically the Cadillac CTS-V before the CTS was even born.
Under the hood was the first place that the model shined. The SHO was powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that was capable of producing 220 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. That doesn’t sound like a lot by today’s standards but back then, the SHO was cooking with gas, allowing a 0-60 time of just over 7 seconds!
The SHO was also designed to handle a sports car. It had a sport-tuned suspension system, as well as larger brakes and wheels that provided improved grip and stopping power. The body of the SHO was also lower and wider than the standard Taurus, which gave it a more aggressive stance and improved handling.
The interior of the Taurus SHO was designed with comfort and luxury in mind. It was loaded with features such as leather seats, a premium sound system, and power windows and locks to truly give it that premium feel. The dash was also redesigned to give the SHO a sportier look, and the front and rear seats provided ample space for passengers.
The Ford Taurus SHO was a success for Ford and helped to set the standard for high-performance family sedans. It was a car that offered a balance of style, comfort, and performance, and it was a true driver’s car. The Taurus SHO remained in production until 1999 before making a second run from 2010-2019.
Below, we tune in with Doug DeMuro who dives into this interesting 90s muscle sedan that was one of the first of its kind!
