Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Ford Taurus III SHO 3.4 V8 32V (238 Hp) Automatic
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)
III Overview:
Ford Taurus (III). With 312 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1560 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 225 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 III was primarily a North American market vehicle and was not tested by Euro NCAP. Its safety performance would be evaluated against contemporary US standards.
SHO 3.4 V8 32V (238 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
This Yamaha-developed V8 offered exhilarating performance for a family sedan, delivering strong acceleration and a distinctive exhaust note. It transformed the Taurus into a true sleeper sports sedan.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy was a significant drawback, typical for a high-performance V8 of its era. Expect high consumption, especially in urban driving.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Distinctive and spacious interior design
- • Comfortable and smooth ride quality
- • Powerful and unique SHO V8 option
- • Good value on the used market
- • Reliable base Vulcan V6 engine
Cons:
- • Polarizing exterior styling (oval theme)
- • Some interior material quality issues
- • High fuel consumption for V8 models
- • V8 SHO maintenance can be complex and costly
- • Base V6 can feel underpowered
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(III: 1995 - 1997).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Ford |
| Model: | Taurus |
| Generation: | III |
| Modification (Engine): | SHO 3.4 V8 32V (238 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1997 |
| End of production: | 1999 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 238 Hp @ 6100 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 70.2 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 312 Nm @ 4800 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | SHO [Same engine] More details about the engine SHO |
| Engine displacement: | 3392 |
| Number of cylinders: | 8 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine oil capacity: | 6.1 l |
| Coolant: | 10 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 82.4 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 79.5 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 13.8 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 9.1 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 225 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 6.6 kg/Hp, 152.6 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5 kg/Nm, 200 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1560 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 447 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 61 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 5016 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1854 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1400 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2756 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1565 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1560 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11.8 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 | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 225/55 R16 |
| Wheel rims size | 16 |
| Front suspension | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Wishbone |
Your first impression of the Ford Taurus in one word? Go!