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Ford Taurus I SHO 3.0 V6 (223 Hp)
Overall Rating
Ford Taurus:
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generations of the high-performance version were also manufactured from 1988-1999 and 2009-2019.
The original Taurus was a milestone for Ford and the American automotive industry, as the first automobile at Ford designed and manufactured using the statistical process control ideas brought to Ford by W. Edwards Deming, a prominent statistician consulted by Ford to bring a "culture of quality" to the enterprise. The Taurus had an influential design that introduced new features and innovations....(Read more on Wikipedia)
I Overview:
Ford Taurus (I). With 271 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1396 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is good (0–100 km/h in 7.6 s). The top speed reaches 230 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Ford Taurus I was produced before Euro NCAP testing began (1997). While it met contemporary safety standards for its era, it lacks modern safety features like advanced airbags, electronic stability control, and sophisticated crash structures found in newer vehicles. Its safety performance would be significantly lower by today's standards.
SHO 3.0 V6 (223 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The undisputed performance king of the generation. The Yamaha-developed 3.0L DOHC V6 delivers exhilarating power and a sporty driving experience, transforming the family sedan into a genuine sport sedan.
Fuel Economy
Significantly lower fuel economy due to its high-performance nature. This engine is for enthusiasts willing to trade efficiency for thrilling acceleration and a high-revving character.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Revolutionary aerodynamic design for its era
- • Spacious and comfortable interior for a family sedan
- • Good ride quality, especially on highways
- • Available high-performance SHO model offered exciting dynamics
- • Strong value proposition as a new and used vehicle
Cons:
- • Base 4-cylinder engines were underpowered, especially with automatic transmission
- • Some reliability concerns, particularly with early automatic transmissions and certain V6 head gaskets
- • Fuel economy for V6 models was average for the time, not class-leading
- • Dated safety features compared to modern vehicles
- • Interior materials could feel cheap on lower trims
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(I: 1988 - 1991).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Ford |
| Model: | Taurus |
| Generation: | I |
| Modification (Engine): | SHO 3.0 V6 (223 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1989 |
| End of production: | 1991 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 223 Hp @ 6200 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 74.7 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 271 Nm @ 4800 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 2986 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 89 mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 80 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.8:1 |
| Maximum engine speed: | 7000 rpm. |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 7.6 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 7.6 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 230 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 6.3 kg/Hp, 159.7 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.2 kg/Nm, 194.1 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 7.2 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1396 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 481 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 70 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4785 mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1793 mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1379 mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2692 mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1562 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1537 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11.6 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Tires size | 215/60 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 15 |
| Front suspension | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Wishbone |
Your first impression of the Ford Taurus in one word? Go!