Performance Review: Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Taurus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Ford Taurus has a 3496cc Twin Turbo 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 1981 kgs (4367 lbs) this makes the Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Taurus shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3496cc 24V V6 engine produces 365 bhp (272 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V6 throws out 350 lb-ft (474.5 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 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 2009 Mercedes E Class 500 Sport (209.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Taurus.

The Ford Taurus has a Power to weight ratio of 184.2 bhp per ton and 176.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Taurus competing with the 2009 Mercedes E Class 500 Sport (209.2 bhp per ton) or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 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 176.6 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 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 272 (201.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (201.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 as fast as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the or the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs). This Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Taurus and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Ford Taurus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.48 secs @ 94.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Taurus equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Taurus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison