July 28th, 2010
2010 Ford Taurus SHO combines performance and luxury with its powerful Ecoboost engine. When Ford first introduced the Taurus SHO, it was met with significant interest from those who love a comforting ride and an occasional burst of speed. It was not only a success for the business person or executive, the younger generation took dearly to this limited production vehicle.
The original Taurus SHO had the definitive look of sporty nailed. It had the ground effects package that gave it that low to the ground race type theme. On the inside, the manual transmission made it even more of a thrill as one climbed through the gears. The car felt heavy, but very competent and able to perform as one might expect from the letters that stand for Super High Output (SHO).
The attraction then was carried on to this new version, the 2nd generation Taurus SHO and Ford once again made the SHO a success. It has the same comforting features, speed characteristics, and agile handling that one would expect from a sports car.
This new version however, is a bit more stealthy than the older models. It has more of a sleeper effect, with less prominent ground effects or body modifications that would indicate it to be as powerful as it is.
The Ford Taurus SHO has made an impact on the enthusiast community and aftermarket industry, with a significant support infrastructure where owners can meet other owners and share information about the vehicle. These forums originating online have led to tech sessions and other events, all contributing to the passion behind the SHO.
Perhaps the most famous owner of an SHO being Conan O’Brien who often spoke of his awesome Ford Taurus and swore that he’d never own anything better. This personal relationship is what all Ford Taurus SHO owners should be able to expect and appreciate.
Tags: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
Posted in Ford, Ford Taurus | No Comments »
July 12th, 2010
2011 Ford Mustang packs a serious punch. With the new 5.0 L, the Mustang is geared up to take on serious competition. Not just local competition, but European sports cars who fall short of this challenge.
The Ford Mustang will instantly gain your respect at a stoplight after it yanks you through first gear and abruptly introduces you to power you were not anticipating. As you climb through the gears, you’ll be satisfied to a degree that spending six figures is ludicrous and unwarranted.
I remember my first 5.0 L. The sound of the exhaust was deep and powerful. One had to be careful, letting up on the clutch too quickly could lead to excessive tire wear, especially the rear ones. The best feeling was the low-end torque is that pulled you out of each gear.
The 5.0 L badge was a symbol of something special under the hood. The chrome 5.0 emblem sat just above the front tires but back towards the front doors, perfectly positioned as a point of reference for anyone to know whether it had the power.
It’s easy to understand why Ford brought back the Mustang 5.0 L. It was such an iconic car so many kids dreamed of owning. I never owned one until I was about 22 years old. But even then it meant just as much if not more to sit behind the wheel of something I always wanted to drive.
The look of the 5.0 L was cool on the outside but until I started the engine and sat in the driver’s seat, did I experience the reason that made me desire one of these vehicles so much. The sound of the ignition was like a burst of adrenaline.
Even though mine was an 88, I’m anxious to see if the new 5.0 L will still send those same feelings of anxiety and anxiousness through me when the key turns and the high-pitched starter precedes the low rumble of the engine at idle.
Tags: 2011 Ford Mustang, 5.0L
Posted in Ford Mustang | Comments Off
July 9th, 2010
Ford Mustang is one legendary vehicle. Everyone knows what a Ford Mustang is. The interesting thing is that not everyone knows which Mustang might be equipped with insane amounts of power.
Back in the day, if you saw the 5.0 badge on the side of the Mustang just before the door on the quarter panel, you knew it had some power behind it and it could really move. Then when the new packages like the Cobra, Saleen, and Roush, people seemed to be wondering what’s the baddest of all these.
The Mustang RTR is bad.
I don’t even need to know what RTR stands for other than to see one sitting there at a light or cruising along to know this vehicle is one sick ride. The appearance gives off an even more sinister look that the Cobra R did, and it’s clearly much more low profile than the R.
So look again at that name, RTR. If it has anything to do with what the R meant for the Cobra then we’re going to be in for a shockingly fast street car. Most people who have never driven something like a supercharged or a big block V8 that’s been built with forged components would likely never want to just jump into one of these and cruise along. The sheer power when you get into the throttle is enough to make you fear that your guardian angel is looking out for you.
Horsepower is a seductive thing. Once you acquire a taste for it, you’ll likely want to seek out more. The question is whether you are skilled enough to handle something like that because frankly, once you get behind the wheel, you’ll be asking yourself that very question.
So if you’re in the market for some extra horsepower and slick looking design, it’s going to run you $7,995 for the RTR package designed by Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Tags: 2011 Ford Mustang
Posted in Ford Mustang | Comments Off
June 16th, 2010
Ford adds Google Maps to the collection of applications becoming available via SYNC. Drivers will have the ability to post their destination directions from Google Maps to the vehicle via the SYNC Traffic Directions and Information application.
The popularity of phones that have Google Maps on them makes this an attractive offer from Ford. In addition, the directions and route information will be converted to audio, which will provide turn-by-turn instructions. As people become more dependant on their cell phones for information a risk of using the phone while driving presents substantial danger, so this was a necessary technology and a timely one.
This ‘send to SYNC’ will be initiated later this month and will be accessible for existing models, supplied with the SYNC TDI without any extra cost as well as without any additional software and hardware updates. A new facility to Ford Service Delivery Network, this ‘send to SYNC’ will provide voice triggered services available through a customer’s cell phone. Director of Ford Connected Services said that printed paper information from a site is a historical object in this digital era and with this send to SYNC option, you can plot a destination, wherever you have connectivity, and hence when you are in your car, it already knows your destination.
The SYNC TDI function powers a customer’s cell phone voice function and the vehicles incorporated a GPS receiver to convey locality-based services. These services will enable drivers to spend less time searching for businesses and destinations. Whenever the user visits Google Maps on the website in search of destinations, an option to send a selected destination to their Ford via a send menu will be available.
Ford is presently the sole automaker working with Google to send directions to your car with SYNC free of cost. The director of Ford services said that the reason why Ford is a leader with SYNC is that Ford is constantly working to deliver improvements to their customers and that they are proud to be associating with Google in this respect.
Tags: Ford Sync
Posted in Ford, Ford Technology | Comments Off
