Ford Mustang Boss 302 Interior I Ford Mustang Boss 302 Colors

Ford gave the green light only once before: In 1968, management approved a special Mustang - a car that sacrificed nothing in its quest to be the best all-around road-going performance machine ever created by Ford Motor Company. That car became the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302, and it remains one of the world's most sought-after examples of American performance.

Forty-two years later, Ford has given the green light again.

The team of Ford engineers, designers and stylists - all Mustang enthusiasts to the core - that created the groundbreaking 2011 Mustang GT has distilled a new model to its purest form, strengthening, lightening and refining each system to create a race car with a license plate. Its name: the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

Philosophy and powertrain

"The new Ford Mustang Boss 302 completely redefines Mustang capability," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "That the Mustang team was able to take the current Mustang GT - already a world-class performance car - and refine it further for peak track performance shows the commitment Ford has to this car and its legions of fans."

Driving the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 was intended from the outset to be a visceral experience, packed with raw, unbridled performance across the spectrum: Acceleration, handling, braking, and top speed are all equally matched for perfect balance on a car operating within the framework of legally defined safety, noise and emissions regulations.

Sounds like the Boss

While the powertrain team defined output targets that would yield an ideal balance with the chassis, another team made sure the car made the kind of sounds owners and enthusiasts would expect from a Mustang Boss.

Up front, a Boss-specific intake system is tuned to feed the engine with minimum restrictions. A retuned induction sound tube provides concrete aural evidence of what's occurring under the hood. And, in the Boss exhaust system engineers really had some fun.

Suspension and steering

In keeping with the Boss mandate to provide the best-handling Mustang ever, the already strong Mustang GT suspension system has been further refined. Higher-rate coil springs on all four corners, stiffer suspension bushings and a larger-diameter rear stabilizer bar all contribute to the road racing mission, and Boss models are lowered by 11 millimeters at the front and 1 millimeter at the rear versus the Mustang GT. The real key to handling, though, is in the adjustable shocks and struts, standard on all Boss Mustang models.

Exterior and interior design

Changes to the Mustang Boss exterior are subtle but unmistakable. True to its race-bred heritage, every component that could potentially aid aerodynamics or engine/brake performance was examined to make the vehicle more competitive, while chief designer Darrell Behmer refined the styling to evoke the 1969 Boss in a contemporary way.

"We approached this as curators of a legend," explains Behmer. "We've taken design cues from the '69 Boss street car and the menacing Bud Moore/Parnelli Jones race cars and carefully updated them to give the 2012 the proper bad-boy attitude that is unmistakably a Boss Mustang."

Ford Ranger Wildtrak Price I Ford Ranger Wildtrak Specs

Aiming to deliver class-leading safety, new Ranger utilises a whole suite of technologies, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP), to keep its wheels sturdily planted on the road under all conditions. Despite being an enormously capable vehicle, the Ford Ranger is also fitted with technologies such as satellite navigation and Bluetooth® voice control, more commonly found on premium or luxury cars.

Building on Ranger's long-standing heritage of capability, the all-new model extends Ford's credibility further, with selected European versions achieving a best-in-class towing capacity of 3350 kg. Ranger models fitted with the 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel engine also have an outstanding payload capacity of up to 1333 kg.

21st century tough styling

Toned, taut and muscular, the all-new Ranger is designed to look powerful and confident, equally at home on a construction site or outside a high-class restaurant. Its front end features a short overhang with the signature three-bar grille, a global Ford commercial vehicle design cue. The windscreen has also been raked back for a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, creating a modern and aerodynamic look.

The beltline, along with the rails of the load box, were raised significantly - giving Ranger a substantive presence on the road while increasing its functionality with the deeper box. Larger headlamps, bigger mirrors and stamped-in wheel lips provide an integrated look across all series and contribute to an aggressive and sporty stance.

Car-like levels of comfort and features

The purposeful interior of the Wildtrak echoes the dark sporty look of the outside. A special hydrographic finish on the centre console around the audio is reminiscent of strong but lightweight materials like carbon fibre.

The seat trim - a combination of leather and woven cloth inspired by sportswear with ventilated sections - provides lateral support and confidence even on rough terrain. Contrast stitching and a discreet strip on the seat upper and bolster, all in distinctive Wildtrak Orange, accentuate the premium feel of the interior.

The cabin of Ranger has been stretched to provide segment-leading spaciousness and comfort. Three passengers can easily fit in the second row of the Wildtrak, for instance. It offers ample knee room and better foot clearance between the B-pillar and the seat. This means that getting in and out of the new Ranger is easier than ever for rear-seat passengers.

More power, more torque, more economy

European customers will have a choice of two state-of-the-art common-rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels and new fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions that serve up more power and torque.

The new 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel delivers peak torque output of 375 Nm and power output of 110 kW (150 PS), whilst a highly responsive and efficient new 3.2-litre 5-cylinder diesel powers the Wildtrak and produces a powerful 470 Nm of torque is power rated at 147 kW (200PS). Both new powertrains have been developed and refined to deliver excellent fuel economy that is among the best in class. Fitted with an 80-litre fuel tank, Ranger is also expected to have one of the longest ranges in its segment.


A steadfast companion for adventure

With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and steering system, the new Ranger promises car-like comfort, reduced steering effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability. Even on narrow city streets, the pick-up's tight turning circle makes it easily manoeuvrable despite sitting on an increased wheelbase.

For those who need a dependable vehicle for off-road adventures, the Wildtrak fits the bill perfectly with a stiffer frame, ground clearance of up to 230 mm and driveline components strategically mounted above the frame rail out of harm's way. The Wildtrak can also go deeper than any other compact pickup, with the ability to wade through up to 800 mm of water - a class-leading feature.

Ford Territory Titanium I Ford Territory Turbo

Ford Territory Titanium

Ford Territory Titanium Large

Ford Territory Titanium Engine

Ford Territory Titanium 2012

Following an extensive development programme the covers have finally come off the highly anticipated new-model Ford Territory. The Australian-designed-and-developed SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) has undergone an extensive visual update inside and out. The new Territory wears a stylish suit cut from Ford's kinetic design language and its bold new look makes it instantly recognisable as a member of Ford's comprehensive model family.
Redesigning the multi-award-winning Ford Territory meant building on its already clean and attractive looks, the result of the first-generation Territory's original design goal: to create a vehicle that embodied the strength and power of a traditional SUV while having the prestige, agility and nimbleness of a sporting sedan. The new Ford Territory has taken this to another level.
"We worked hard to ensure the new Territory was an evolution of the original model and, through the use of Ford's distinct design DNA, also gave a hint of the future," Svensson said. "To achieve this we applied Ford's unique style philosophy: kinetic design. Kinetic design comprises several specific elements, all of which are present in the new Ford Territory. They are confident stance, dynamic lines, expressive form language, taut surfacing, bold graphics and great detailing. When you combine them they convey movement and athleticism. In other words, the vehicle looks like it is moving when standing still. The overall visual effect of kinetic design is simple: in the case of the new Ford Territory it communicates its dynamic capabilities and fun-to-drive spirit."

EXTERIOR DESIGN
For some, designing a vehicle with two personalities would be considered a tough challenge. Not for Todd Willing, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa's Melbourne-based chief designer responsible for the new Territory's stunning look.
"Ford Territory's credentials as the weekday family car ideal for weekend getaways are well established and it is this dual personality - one of Territory's many attractive features - that is emphasised in its new exterior design," Willing said. "The new Territory exhibits a rugged outdoors-oriented look but its contemporary design is just as at home in the city. Keeping that connection was important, as was showcasing Ford's distinct design DNA - especially the styling hallmarks from the company's passenger car family.

Side profile
The new Territory wears fender features, also known as guard flutes, that add to its sense of strength. This design detail also helps differentiate between each of the models in the series: TX, TS and Titanium. The chrome finish fitted to the Titanium hints at its premium status.
Willing: "The Ford Territory's doors now wear a more integrated design and we have surfaced the door cladding and lower door moulding to make it flusher. The body is given a lower look overall which is a more dynamic appearance."
The SUV's integrated roof rails carry over from the outgoing model Territory and make cross-bar mounting easy to enhance the vehicle's versatility.
Instrument Panel (IP), Steering Wheel and All-new 8-inch Touch Screen
The new Ford Territory's fundamental interior architecture remains unchanged and starts with its seven-seat "theatre-style" seating layout (standard fitment on Titanium and TS, optional at extra cost on TX).
Each of the three variants - TX, TS and Titanium - receives unique cabin treatments taken from new Territory's kinetic design DNA.
Customers will instantly feel at home with the clearly visible Ford design language obvious in the new Ford Territory's enhanced interior space.Headlining the list of enhancements are the new instrument panel (IP), centre console, and four-spoke steering wheel, all of which share their design origins from the current-model FG Falcon sedan. The design of their push-button controls and elegant layout add to the interior's up-to-date feel.
Behind the new four-spoke steering wheel, the new instrument panel's easy-to-read gauge cluster with centrally mounted LED screen is elegant and effective. New, round air vents are located at each end of the new instrument panel. These not only enhance the look of the cabin but also provide efficient cooling and heating.

Ford C-MAX Energi Price I Ford C-MAX Energi Interior

Ford revealed two next-generation hybrid vehicles - including its first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle - at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, bringing consumers more choice, versatility and style for high-mileage family-friendly vehicles.

Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid are based on the new Ford C-MAX five-passenger multi-activity vehicle, and each will offer high mileage and low emissions as well as distinctive body design and a flexible interior. The plug-in hybrid and third-generation full hybrid leverage Ford's global C-car platform, acclaimed powersplit architecture, next-generation driver information features and advanced lithium-ion battery systems.

The plug-in advantage

Targeted to achieve AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status, Ford C-MAX Energi provides maximum fuel efficiency by pairing a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. This allows it to run in electric mode before using the gasoline engine.

Ford C-MAX Energi will offer more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) of overall driving range using the battery and engine - more than any other plug-in or extended-range electric vehicle. C-MAX Energi delivers better charge-sustaining fuel economy than Chevrolet Volt.

Getting charged up

Ford C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will use advanced lithium-ion battery systems developed and assembled in-house by Ford in Michigan. Each system is smartly designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford's current, critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.

Li-ion battery packs offer a number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries that power today's hybrid vehicles. In general, they are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle, and can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

Smarter interface

Ford C-MAX Energi owners will have access to a suite of driver information systems - on-board and off-board - designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control their vehicle's charge and preconditioning settings, monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to extend use of electric mode. Ford C-MAX Hybrid owners also will benefit from the on-board features.

Among these tools is a unique execution of MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology, especially for electrified driving. It offers exceptional configurability of vehicle information, including fuel level, battery power level, and average and instant miles per gallon.

New MyFord Mobile

Off-board, Ford C-MAX Energi owners in North America can maintain constant contact with the car anywhere they have mobile phone or web access using the Ford-developed MyFord Mobile.

MyFord Mobile enables access to a secure Ford website and smartphone/feature phone app to get instant vehicle status information, perform key functions remotely, monitor the car's state of charge and current range, get various alerts including when the vehicle requires charging, remotely program charge settings and download vehicle data for analysis.

Value charging, powered by Microsoft

Using the value charging feature, powered by Microsoft, Ford C-MAX Energi owners in North America will be able to optimize their home's energy use and vehicle recharging practices. Value charging allows Ford customers to reduce their electricity costs by taking advantage of off-peak or reduced rates from their utility without a complicated set-up process.

Ford's global C-car strategy

C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are two of at least 10 new models or derivatives that Ford will launch around the world based on its new global C-car platform - Ford's first truly global One Ford platform.

Ford's new generation of C-segment vehicles will be sold in more than 120 markets and will account for more than 2 million units annually. The C-segment accounts for one in four cars sold worldwide today and, in conjunction with the B-segment, is expected to rise to 50 percent of all cars sold globally by 2013.

Ford Flex Interior I Ford Flex Titanium

Fans of the Ford Flex have even more to love with an upgraded model with a sleek new look and even more technology to make driving safer, easier and more fuel-efficient.

"Flex appeals to people who want to stand out from the crowd and has the highest retention rate of any vehicle in the Ford lineup," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "With technologies not found in other full-size utilities, even better fuel economy and a more modern, sophisticated look, we're offering people even more reasons to choose Flex with the new model."

The seven-passenger, three-row crossover - which debuts at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show - comes equipped with the new generation of MyFord Touch, rear inflatable belts, collision-avoidance technologies, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, first-row heated and cooled seats, power-fold mirrors and an optional new Appearance Package. Plus, the base 3.5-liter engine is projected to deliver 1 mpg better fuel economy on the highway and in the city, with 20 more horsepower.

Enhanced technology

The new Flex features SYNC® with the new generation of MyFord Touch®, making it easier to manage information, control features and adjust settings.

"We've listened to our customers and have improved what they love about MyFord Touch," said Kenneth Williams, systems integration engineer. "In this upgrade, the screens have a cleaner, clearer display. The words on the screens are larger and easier to read, the pressable areas on the screen look more like buttons, and we have made the functions clearer for faster navigation.

Enhanced safety and driver-aid technology

The new Ford Flex is equipped with the automotive world's first production rear inflatable belts to offer improved comfort and protection for rear seat passengers. Last month, this safety innovation was named a Breakthrough Product Award winner by Popular Mechanics, part of the magazine's seventh annual Breakthrough Awards.

Fuel economy bolstered by engines, technologies

Under the hood, Ford Flex's new base engine delivers even more efficiency and performance with the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to the 3.5-liter V6.

The upgraded 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine provides 285 horsepower - an approximate 20 horsepower increase from the previous engine - and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. The new Flex also is projected to deliver 1 mpg more fuel economy, with projected fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

Appearance Package and paint, wheel choices

Also new is an Appearance Package on Limited and SEL models that includes an available two-tone roof and mirrors, 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets, leather seats, unique door trim panels and other interior upgrades for a truly distinctive, premium look and feel.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Spec I Ford C-MAX Hybrid Price

Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid are based on the new Ford C-MAX five-passenger multi-activity vehicle, and each will offer high mileage and low emissions as well as distinctive body design and a flexible interior. The plug-in hybrid and third-generation full hybrid leverage Ford's global C-car platform, acclaimed powersplit architecture, next-generation driver information features and advanced lithium-ion battery systems.

The plug-in advantage

Targeted to achieve AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status, Ford C-MAX Energi provides maximum fuel efficiency by pairing a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. This allows it to run in electric mode before using the gasoline engine.

Ford C-MAX Energi will offer more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) of overall driving range using the battery and engine - more than any other plug-in or extended-range electric vehicle. C-MAX Energi delivers better charge-sustaining fuel economy than Chevrolet Volt

Getting charged up

Ford C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will use advanced lithium-ion battery systems developed and assembled in-house by Ford in Michigan. Each system is smartly designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford's current, critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.

Li-ion battery packs offer a number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries that power today's hybrid vehicles. In general, they are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle, and can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

Smarter interface

Ford C-MAX Energi owners will have access to a suite of driver information systems - on-board and off-board - designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control their vehicle's charge and preconditioning settings, monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to extend use of electric mode. Ford C-MAX Hybrid owners also will benefit from the on-board features.

Among these tools is a unique execution of MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology, especially for electrified driving. It offers exceptional configurability of vehicle information, including fuel level, battery power level, and average and instant miles per gallon.

New MyFord Mobile

Off-board, Ford C-MAX Energi owners in North America can maintain constant contact with the car anywhere they have mobile phone or web access using the Ford-developed MyFord Mobile.

MyFord Mobile enables access to a secure Ford website and smartphone/feature phone app to get instant vehicle status information, perform key functions remotely, monitor the car's state of charge and current range, get various alerts including when the vehicle requires charging, remotely program charge settings and download vehicle data for analysis.

Value charging, powered by Microsoft

Using the value charging feature, powered by Microsoft, Ford C-MAX Energi owners in North America will be able to optimize their home's energy use and vehicle recharging practices. Value charging allows Ford customers to reduce their electricity costs by taking advantage of off-peak or reduced rates from their utility without a complicated set-up process.

"Although C-MAX Energi owners won't have to plug in, by doing so they'll get the benefits of driving in electric mode for longer distances; that can mean fewer trips to the gas station and less emissions when driving," said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford's hybrid and electric programs. "That's why we'll be providing C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid owners with a user-friendly interface and tools like value charging that will help them get the most out of the vehicle's electric mode capability."

Proven powersplit technology

Ford C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid build on the success of the critically acclaimed powersplit architecture Ford uses in its current hybrids, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid, winner of the 2010 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year® award.

In a powersplit hybrid, the electric motor and gasoline-powered engine can work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions, and work with the engine at higher speeds.


Ford's global C-car strategy

C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are two of at least 10 new models or derivatives that Ford will launch around the world based on its new global C-car platform - Ford's first truly global One Ford platform.

Ford's new generation of C-segment vehicles will be sold in more than 120 markets and will account for more than 2 million units annually. The C-segment accounts for one in four cars sold worldwide today and, in conjunction with the B-segment, is expected to rise to 50 percent of all cars sold globally by 2013.

Ford Focus ST 2013 I Ford Focus ST Price I New Ford Focus ST 2013

The covers finally came off the production version of the dramatic new Focus ST five-door at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, revealing the performance car that enthusiasts around the globe are waiting for.

European customers can also choose a stylish wagon version of the Focus ST, which will launch alongside the five-door model in 2012.

The Focus ST is Ford's first truly global performance car, building on the heritage of previous Focus ST models in Europe and evolving it to allow drivers around the world to experience and enjoy the exhilarating performance, unrivaled handling, addictive sound and muscular sports design that the ST badge represents.

With innovative design and technology throughout, the new Focus ST will be more powerful and surprisingly fuel efficient, raising the bar once again when it comes to handling too. For drivers who want refinement for everyday use but with exhilarating performance on tap, the passion, enthusiasm and expertise of Ford's Global Performance Vehicles group shines through and makes the new Focus ST the most rewarding and obvious choice.

The Ford ST Global DNA

Beneath the skin of the new Focus ST is a detailed DNA for the ST range, established in Ford's exciting global performance car strategy. Working together, the Global Performance Vehicles group - made up of Ford Team RS in Europe and the Special Vehicles Team (SVT) in the United States, along with input from Ford experts in the Asia Pacific and Africa region - devised a strategy that all future global performance Ford cars will adhere to.

"Focus ST hasn't come around by chance," said Capito. "What came first was our global performance strategy, which has been developed with North America, Europe and Asia together. With this, the core DNA attributes like the steering, driving dynamics, the sound quality and the power enhancements for all ST models have all been defined to the extent that our engineers can take that global DNA fingerprint and use it to create the new Focus ST."

Ford's First Global Performance Car

The One Ford approach to working together across geographic boundaries has already seen successful global launches of the Fiesta and new Focus for the company. This approach is the great enabler for performance versions to be readily developed for a global market.

"The new Focus is a fantastic car to develop an ST model from," said Matthias Tonn, chief program engineer for the Focus ST. "It's a solid shell with precise handling as standard, as customers around the world have already found out. It doesn't compromise on any area in any region of the world, and Focus ST builds upon that strength to give our global performance customers the car they want, the car they have been asking for.

Stylish and Sporty Inside

The exhilarating drive of the new Focus ST will have customers spending as much time behind the steering wheel as possible. With that in mind, Ford's designers have worked hard to ensure the interior of the Focus ST is a great place to be, helping the driver to feel as connected to the vehicle as possible.

The interior of the core Focus model is already designed with a "cockpit" feel, giving any Focus driver a sporty sensation. In the ST variant, though, that sporty feeling is heightened with everything the driver touches and feels reinforcing that it is unmistakably an ST.

Details range from specially designed pedals, steering wheel and gearshift to the unique Recaro seats. The darker headlining and trim on the pillars, an integral part of the ST's design DNA, adds to the performance driving feel.

2013 Ford Taurus I 2013 Ford Taurus Interior I 2013 Ford Taurus Pictures

The new Ford Taurus delivers more of what large sedan customers really want for the 2013 model year - with even better fuel economy, more technology, design refinement, improved craftsmanship and enhanced driving dynamics.
"We have significantly upgraded Ford's flagship sedan through obsessive attention to detail," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "The new Taurus builds on the transformation we achieved in the 2010 model. Delivering so many upgrades so soon further underscores Ford's leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient cars for our customers."

Greener, yet powerful

A choice of new engines offers customers increased fuel efficiency, without compromising the responsive performance they want.

Ford Taurus is the first car in Ford's North American lineup to offer the advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ engine, combining a turbocharger with gasoline direct injection. It is expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of at least 31 mpg. Providing plenty of power, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will deliver an estimated 237 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque
Ford Taurus also offers the following comfort and convenience technologies:

    New heated steering wheel adds to the comfort of the heated and cooled leather-trimmed seats
    Multicontour seats with Active Motion™, a Ford Taurus class-exclusive offering, help to reduce driver and first-row passenger fatigue with a subtle rolling massage pattern
    Intelligent Access with push-button start, allowing the driver to enter the car and start the engine via push button simply by having the key fob in his or her possession
    Auto high beams employ a sensor to switch headlamps to high beam when no oncoming traffic is detected
    Rain-sensing wipers use an advanced optical sensor to detect the intensity of rain and/or snowfall to automatically adjust wiper speed
    Rear view camera activates when reverse gear is selected, projecting via the center stack-mounted 8-inch screen
    Rear window power sunshade, a luxury-class feature that shades the rear glass at the touch of a button, helping to keep the cabin cooler

Packed with detail

Ford Taurus quality begins with design refinement. Building on the completely reinvigorated 2010 model, the new Taurus features a more muscular hood. Larger wheels and tires fill out the wheel-well openings, giving Ford Taurus an athletic stance. Rear quarter panels have been raised, enabling larger, full LED taillamps. Without increasing overall dimensions or vehicle weight, the new Ford Taurus looks more streamlined, substantial and sporty.

Improved driving dynamics is a quality the driver will feel. Beyond the across-the-board transition to EPAS, the hard-mounted steering rack with a faster ratio, springs and dampers have been optimized to provide improved vehicle handling, combined with improved ride quality.

The new Ford Taurus dynamics benefit from the addition of torque vectoring control. This feature uses a slight - virtually imperceptible to the driver - amount of braking force on the outside front wheel when accelerating through a corner. This minimal brake force provides an effect similar to a limited-slip differential. The result is a vehicle that feels smaller and more maneuverable, with more control when increasing speed through curves.

2013 Ford Taurus SHO Price I 2013 Ford Taurus SHO specs

"The Taurus SHO has always followed the original formula of stealthy sleeper, and the new model is no exception," said Gordon Platto, chief designer. "We wanted to keep the subtle, understated, yet sporty elegance, but at the same time we knew it was time to even more fully differentiate the Super High Output model from other Taurus series models."

Distinctive design, signature technology

For the new Ford Taurus SHO, subtle differentiation from the other members of the Taurus family starts up front, with a performance-inspired grille in black mesh - unique to the SHO - flanked by series-specific high-intensity discharge headlamps. Behind the front wheel openings, a fender-mounted scallop contains a subtle SHO badge.

Enhanced powertrain, refined dynamics

The new Taurus SHO drivetrain continues to use the award-winning and fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed high-capacity 6F55 SelectShift Automatic™ transmission.

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters enable the Ford Taurus SHO to match revs for smooth, quick, manually selected downshifts. For the new model, these have been reconfigured for more intuitive operation, with one paddle for upshifts and the other for making smooth, matched-rev downshifts.

SHO dynamics have been enhanced with larger brakes, torque vectoring control - using slight braking to provide the effect of a limited-slip differential - and unique sport-tuned suspension.

Specially calibrated electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) has been further optimized for enthusiast-pleasing road feel and direct, communicative response. In addition to helping Ford Taurus SHO deliver up to 25 mpg highway, EPAS enables the car to park itself with active park assist.

Taurus SHO brake system upgrades include a larger master cylinder, revised booster tuning for improved pedal feel, larger front rotors with 19 percent more thermal mass and 67 percent more swept area to help brakes run cooler. Now vented, the rear disc brakes offer 53 percent more thermal mass.

"Initial Quality Study data from J.D. Power and Associates showed that the 2010 Taurus SHO gained phenomenal acceptance, as 92 percent of customers were satisfied with their vehicles," said Marentic. "In addition, Taurus SHO delivered new customers to the Ford showroom at an incredible rate. Roughly half of 2010 SHO customers had not previously considered nor shopped Ford. We frequently see high-end sedans - 3-Series and 5-Series BMWs and Acura TLs - as trade-ins." SHO Performance Package
For discriminating automotive performance enthusiasts demanding the ultimate in uncompromised dynamics and response, the 2013 Taurus SHO offers a new Performance Package that is engineered to deliver greater handling responsiveness, power and durability under more sporting driving conditions.
The SHO Performance Package includes:

• Package-specific sport-tuned suspension with unique dampers and springs
• Performance brake pads and unique track-tuned calipers
• Recalibrated EPAS
• Electronic Stability Control track mode with true off
• 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio for enhanced off-the-line acceleration
• Enhanced extreme-duty cooling system
• 20-inch machined and painted wheels
• 245/YR20 performance summer-compound tires