The Sports Sedan is back in Detroit and it’s already making a splash. NADAguides.com awarded the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO as the Car of the Month for February.
While monthly awards are normally nothing to get worked up about, this particular victory speaks well for a vehicle that has been buzzing for a while. The redesign was part of an innovative mobile marketing campaign that achieved some spectacular numbers and opened the door for similar campaigns in the future. Between the buzz and the award, there is plenty of momentum coming on the tails of recent hardships from Toyota.
The buzz mixed with the delivered promise of a V-8 engine with V6-like gas mileage has Ford poised to retake the top spot in a segment that it dominated in the 80s. In recent years, Minneapolis Ford had witnessed demand dwindle due to the lackluster Five Hundred. But thanks to the Taurus, and the high-performance SHO model, the new Taurus is leading the way towards Ford’s renaissance. The SHO’s combination of power, refinement, and value ultimately adds up to a unique product which Ford Hamilton dealers are exciting to offer.
From the release:
COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ — NADAguides.com, the leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, today announced that the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO has received the highly regarded NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” award for February. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO powered by a 3.5-liter Super High Output (SHO) EcoBoost™ twin turbocharged V-6 engine returns as the sporty version of Ford’s new flagship, delivering V-8 levels of power without compromising on V-6 fuel economy. The NADAguides.com team selected the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO after testing several other contenders in this competitive class. The Ford Taurus SHO won hands down based on its authentic “sleeper” sports sedan performance, universal appeal, and premium luxury accompaniments.
“Without question, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO marks the return of the authoritative sports sedan that quickly rose to power in the late 80’s but fell on hard times in recent years. Ford certainly got it right again by staying true to its Taurus SHO sport sedan heritage, while delivering several new amenities and technologies that provide a dynamic ride and impressive power, coupled with fuel economy numbers that consumers desire,” said Michael Caudill, auto expert, NADAguides.com. “It’s not only the turbocharged eco-conscious V-6 that makes the Taurus SHO a standout; it’s the attention to detail in the interior. Ford’s design team did an excellent job in engineering a classy interior that has the right amount of sportiness, combined with the creature comforts you’d expect to see in a luxury sedan.”
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is loaded with notable technology attributes such as: radar cruise control with heads-up collision warning, radar sensors that detect cars in blind spots and to the left and right when reversing out of a parking space, keyless entry keypad, SIRIUS radio with traffic info, SYNC(®) 3.0 with navigation and 911-assist, massaging leather seats, a 12-speaker, 390-watt Sony stereo, rear view camera, push button start, rain-sensing wipers and MyKey, which allows owners to activate a restricted driving mode, Belt-Minder(®) safety system, audio system volume limits, an earlier low-fuel warning, and consistently-engaged AdvanceTrac(®) stability control. The top vehicle speed can be limited to 80 mph, and speed chimes can be programmed to engage at 45, 55, or 65 mph further protecting the owner’s investment.
The most impressive aspect of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine. This advanced power plant generates an estimated 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm, resulting in significantly improved power, torque and fuel economy as compared to its larger V-8 brethren. This also is Ford’s most powerful EcoBoost engine and it is coupled with a driveline that combines a high-capacity six-speed 6F55 SelectShift transmission with a sophisticated torque-sensing All-Wheel Drive System. These components work in unison to deliver substantial traction and control when putting Ford’s EcoBoost power to the road. The six-speed transmission allows spirited acceleration, yet comfortable high-speed cruising. You should expect to pay $45,000 for a fully equipped SHO.
For the complete video review and image gallery, please visit NADAguides.com.
The NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” program provides consumers with expert commentary and practical information on the cars, trucks and SUVs they are shopping for. Once a month, NADAguides.com will announce the “Car of the Month” through a multi-media platform including an online video review, press release and a comprehensive blog post.
SOURCE: NADAguides.com
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