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The Ford Taurus SHO is the performance edition of the Ford brand’s full-sized sedan. The SHO is an all-wheel-drive model, powered by a Ford EcoBoost engine, combining performance and luxury amenities to deliver a sedan that is surprisingly competitive with some of Europe’s finest motorcars. This car also carries a premium price, retailing from $38,155 with optional equipment pushing that amount well into the $40Ks.

Engine Specifications

If it is power you want, the 2012 Ford Taurus SHO does not disappoint. The car is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, a motor that comes equipped with direct fuel injection, turbocharging and variable valve technology to deliver an explosive 365 horsepower at 5,550 rpm. Torque is rated at 350 foot pounds spanning a range from 1,500 to 5,250 rpm. This cast aluminum engine has a compression ratio of 10.0-to-1.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2012 Ford Taurus SHO is EPA rated at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. This five-passenger sedan has a 19 gallon fuel tank, providing a maximum cruise range of 475 miles, enough to take you from San Francisco to Los Angeles on a tank of gasoline. For optimum performance, Ford recommends that you fill up with premium (91 octane) gasoline.

SHO Dimensions

The 2012 Ford Taurus SHO sits on a 112.9-inch wheelbase. This model is 202.9 inches long, 76.2 inches wide and 60.7 inches tall. Head room dimensions are 39 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear seat. Front seat and rear seat legroom is 41.9 and 38.1 inches, respectively. Hip room is 56.3 inches in the front seat and 55.8 inches in the rear seat. Shoulder room is 57.9 inches in the front seat and 56.9 inches in the rear seat. Passenger volume is 102.2 cubic feet, offering seating for two people in the front and three people in the back. Trunk volume of 20.1 cubic feet is one of the largest in its class.

SHO Amenities

This top of the line Ford Taurus SHO comes well equipped, offering a level of amenities found in some of Europe’s finest luxury sedans.

On the exterior, the 2012 Ford Taurus SHO offers color-coordinated door handles, automatic high beam halogen headlamps, supplemental parking lamps, 19-inch painted luster nickel aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, and a capless fuel filler system.

Inside, the Taurus SHO offers push button start; ambient lighting; dual zone climate control; a premium audio system with SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Ford Sync; leather-trimmed bucket seats with 10-way power control; and such options as a rear window power shade; power adjustable pedals with memory and heated and cooled front seats.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Base engine offers more power, excellent fuel economy.

Mustang offers a variety of engine choices including a V-6.

The Ford Mustang is America’s iconic pony car, a vehicle first introduced in April 1964 and sold continuously year after year. The current model evokes Mustang’s heritage with its aggressive face, long hood, sweeping body lines and sequential tail lamps. This model is powered by V-6 and V-8 gasoline engines, with the former engine choice offering an excellent combination of performance and fuel economy.

Engine Specs

The standard engine for the 2012 Ford Mustang is a 3.7-liter V-6 engine. This 24-valve engine is of aluminum construction and features forged steel connecting rods, and a distributor-less with coil-on-plug ignition system. The rear-wheel-drive Mustang’s base engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic. This engine is rated at 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm. Other features of this V-6 include twin independent variable camshaft timing, a cast iron exhaust manifold and sequential multiport electronic timing. This engine has a 3.76 bore x 3.41 stroke, and a 10.5-to-1 compression ratio.

Fuel Economy

The Mustang’s V-6 engine runs on regular gasoline. This model is EPA rated at 19 mpg city, 31 mpg highway when paired with the standard transmission. As equipped with an automatic, the EPA rates this model at 19 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. With its 16 gallon fuel tank, maximum cruising range for the 2012 Ford Mustang V-6 is 496 miles, sufficient to get you from San Jose to San Diego on one tank of fuel.

Mustang Specs

The 2012 Ford Mustang rides on a 107.1-inch wheelbase. This car is 188.1 inches long, 73.9 inches wide and 55.8 inches tall. Seating four adults, the Ford Mustang has 83.3 cubic feet of passenger space and 13.4 cubic feet of storage capacity. The V-6 Mustang has a maximum trailer towing capacity of 1,000 pounds and weighs 3,460 pounds. This vehicle has an estimated 54/46 weight distribution.

This model offers 17-inch aluminum wheels standard or optional 18-inch wheels. The 2012 Ford Mustang features electronic power steering, independent MacPherson front struts and a three-link solid axle with coil springs, a Panhard rod and a solid stabilizer bar.

Mustang FAQs

Built in Flat Rock, Michigan, the current generation Ford Mustang dates to 2005, but underwent a significant refresh for model year 2010. At present, the Chevrolet Camaro now outsells the Ford Mustang which itself outsells the Dodge Challenger. The next generation Mustang is due in 2014, in time to celebrate this vaunted vehicle’s 50th anniversary.

References

Ford: 2012 Ford Mustang V6 Technical Specifications

Edmunds: Ford Mustang