  2010 Ford Taurus SHO. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Ford Taurus SHO
This scribe can’t remember a Ford sedan with such a dominating footprint since the 1973 LTD, when your hubcap inserts had to match the body colour. This is one really big SHO (with apologies to the late, great Ed Sullivan.) It’s also the first of the latest generation of the brawny bull to grace the Inside Story driveway. As equipped, this week’s tester settles in at an MSRP of $52,099. (Prices shown do not include freight, taxes, regional or promotional incentives.)
It appears that making a Ford sedan steering wheel look sexy isn’t high on the priority list at FoMoCo, though this leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic unit appears to be trying. Voice commands, Bluetooth phone connections, audio tweaks, and Navi prompts can be controlled from the wheel tabs, including the fine-tuning for the Adaptive Cruise Control. The shift paddles need work, not in their operation, but with materials that don’t feel like rubbery plastic. This is the only manual shift mode for the six-speed automatic, with no floor-mount Fun Gate.
  2010 Ford Taurus SHO. Click image to enlarge |
Look out for that Bravada! The head’s-up display warning lamps, along with audible alarms, are part of the Adaptive Cruise Control Collision Warning system, which gets your attention almost as quickly as an old Bravada. It’s not quite the Smartypants Key one would expect for the SHO fob, though the system does ask an important question; do you always want your car to do an auto unlock when it senses your fob? By simply having the fob on your person, one can tap the SecuriCode keypad on the door pillar to allow entry.
While we’re out here, the exterior power heated mirrors are of the breakaway style, with puddle lamps, and blind-spot indicator lamps. The control toggle is found in the A-pillar upper postal code for the driver’s door. (8) Driver and front passenger windows are of the Auto descent/ascent variety. Ambient LED lighting cascades forth from beneath the door handle curvature at night. The headlamps favour a dash-mount twist dial, with Auto detent. Note the separate rocker switch for dimming the IP lighting, next to the power pedals control. Both exterior mirror and pedal position are incorporated into the driver’s seat memory system.
   2010 Ford Taurus SHO. Click image to enlarge |
The instrument cluster gets the usual Trans Am metallic applique of performance, filled in with tachometer and engine coolant temperature sweeps. The driver’s information display can be a busy place, with fuel economy reports, systems status, and warnings of interest. The Cross-Traffic Alert system will note on the screen the direction that the vehicle of concern is approaching from, in addition to the audible warning. Access to the majority of the driver’s information is performed via the switch bank on the upper edge of the centre stack, with traction control shut-down to the right.
The Navi/Sync head unit, and HVAC controls, are familiar Ford corporate. News of the rear views moves from the interior rear-view mirror display on non-Navi models, to the head unit display. A Valet Mode can be engaged on the Sync system, requiring a four-digit PIN to unlock. Rain-sensing wipers are actuated from the turn signal stalk. Of particular note for approaching drivers is the innovation of the Taurus’ Auto High-Beam headlamps which dip automatically. A rear power sunshade (16) can be raised from a panel behind the floor shifter. The ambient interior lighting can be colour-matched to your mood from this location.
Front and rear door pockets are bottle holder equipped, while still retaining the ability to stow other items. While we’re talking pockets, please note that the front seatbacks are so equipped. The flip-down rear centre armrest includes a removable rubbery insert for easy cleaning and minor cup cinch. Next to the shifter is a flip-top door that reveals a rubbery insert, with a cup/bottle provision, as well as a frontal slot suitable for a flip phone or MP3 player. Makes sense, since a 12-volt DC powerpoint is found under the flip-up door, in front of the shifter. The insert can be removed to stow larger items away from prybar eyes. The primary cupholder is hidden by another flip-top door, with a movable/removable centre cinch biscuit, plus a removable rubbery floor bed.
