Performance Review: Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Taurus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Ford Taurus has a 2986cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Taurus shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Taurus's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Taurus shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2986cc 24V V6 engine produces 220 bhp (164 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 200 lb-ft (271.1 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Taurus you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (171.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Taurus.

The Ford Taurus has a Power to weight ratio of 146.6 bhp per ton and 133.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Taurus competing with the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (171.4 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (171.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Taurus generating around 133.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (158.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t (158.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs). This Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Taurus and the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2

When talking about the performance of the Ford Taurus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.49 secs @ 88.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (15.42 secs), the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera (15.42 secs), and the 1991 Mercedes 600 SEL V140 (15.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Taurus equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Taurus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison