2010 Ford Taurus SHO
The most notable feature of the 2010 Taurus SHO is its 3.5-liter 365-horsepower "EcoBoost" V6 engine. Designed with an eye toward reduced fuel consumption, the direct-injection, turbocharged EcoBoost is the same basic engine that will soon be available in the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS.
CG Says... A bad-a** version of the Taurus is just the thing to call attention to this otherwise shopper-neglected sedan. With fresh styling and a new high-profile performance variant, the roomy and capable Taurus should finally find its way onto shopping lists. |
To help drivers make the most of all that power, the all-wheel-drive SHO will feature a sport suspension and unique wheels and tires. Apart from the wheels, SHO-specific styling cues include unique chrome bits outside and special dash and console trim inside.
The SHO name dates back to 1989 when it first appeared on a performance edition of the Taurus. The "Super High Output" Taurus was then powered by a 220-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 that featured Yamaha-designed and manufactured cylinder heads.
Look for the 2010 Taurus SHO in showrooms toward the end of 2009.
2010 Ford Transit Connect
In length and width, the 2010 Transit Connect is about the same size as Ford's Escape compact SUV; but a low floor and high ceiling contribute to the TC's up to 135 cubic feet of cargo space. Some of that space comes at the expense of second-row seating, which is optional.
Also optional is rear glass. Transit Connect can be had as a panel van with no rear glass at all, or with available rear-door, side panel, and side-door glass.
An available in-dash computer helps conduct the business of business. A built-in software package dubbed Tool Link helps the driver track equipment and inventory, while a program called Crew Chief helps fleet owners track individual trucks.
CG Says... Ford's got your small-business stimulus package right here. Transit Connect is a cheap-to-buy, cheap-to-own rolling billboard that fits in an ordinary parking spot. There's a reason Ford has sold 600,000 of these things in Europe since 2003. Question: How long before this nifty rig catches on with the tuner crowd? |
Look for a Transit Connect base price of $21,475 when sales begin this summer. Ford expects to offer an all-electric Transit Connect for model-year 2012.
2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150
The truck comes standard with rear-wheel drive and offers optional all-wheel drive. The Harley-Davidson truck is the only version of the F-150 to offer a full-time all-wheel-drive system. The system features rear-drive, all-wheel-drive, and four-wheel-drive high settings. The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 goes on sale this August.
For more information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:
- Chicago Auto Show Home Page
- Consumer Guide's 2009 Auto Show coverage
- Consumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
- Consumer Guide's 2009 Best Buys and Recommendeds: Our Best Buy and Recommended picks focus on overall vehicle value and take into account performance, economy, reliability, ease of use, comfort, and price.
- Future Cars: Check out what's just on the horizon.
