Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / June 24, 1993, edition 1 / Page 31
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■ TEST DRIVE By Wir\fred Cross 19^ FtDdTauns Sro Photo/Calvin L. Ferguson Ford set the automotive world on Its ear In 1985 when it Introduced the Taur us as a 1986 model. The car won Motor Trends's "Ceir Of The Year" award and set a standard for styling that’s been copied a thousand times over (actually. Ford borrowed a lot from Audi's 5000, now called the 100). Not content with the car's success, some engineer got the great Idea of putting a high output engine In the somewhat pedestrian family sedan. Ford did followed through on that Idea and trans formed the Taurus Into the Taurus SHO (super high out put), a fire breathing sports sedan. But despite all the hoopla and rave reviews, there was one major problem -- the transmission. The Mazda- based five-speed was a bit too mushy for some, but that's all Ford offered In the car. That Is until 1993. This year's SHO can be ordered with a nifty four-speed auto matic that makes this one of the nicest American sedans you can buy. Like the rest of the Taurus line, the SHO received a mi nor facelift In 1992. The wheelbase was stretched a few Inches and the exterior and Interior were freshened. The SHO now has a grill that Is distinct from the the rest of the Taurus line, different alloy wheels and a small, trunk-mounted spoiler with Integrated stop lamp. My test car was a bright, ul tra red crimson, fitted with lots of stuff. Including mo cha leather seats and auto matic air conditioning. I've never driven the five speed SHO (or any other Taurus for that matter) but I can say I enjoyed the automatic trans mission completely. I never longed for a five-speed. To make the automatic fit, the 3.0 liter engine was en larged slightly to 3.2 liters. Torque and horsepower re main unchanged at 200 pounds-feet and 220 hp, re spectively. The transmission shifted very smoothly and quite crisply. It never seemed to hunt for the proper gear, even on steep grades. The car’s handling Is solid. You can fling the car around sharp curves and not worry ThF.iaiwilOF Eye Contact. A womans eves are a rellection ol her heart and a mirror it) lier soul. Should she need glasses, he sure to till them with the worlds finest cognac. Cognac. LXrt De MEwIell $525 for destination and the grand total came to $26,949. Not exactly affordable, but not as expensive as BMW's 5251, the car Ford says Is the SHO's competition. That comparison may be stretching It a bit. I don’t think the folks at BMW are losing sleep, but they should at least take notice. This Is a good alternative for those searching for a sports sedan made on these shores. Thursday, June 24,1993 - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page “JB about losing your grip, of the fires, that is. The steering Is a different story. I found It to be a bit light for a car with this much juice. It's accurate, but just a touch light, which requires simple, but neces sary corrections every now and then. The only other complaint I had about the car Is the In terior. It’s functional, but the dash looked pieced together. It doesn't flow as nicely as the Chrysler LH cars’. I do like the separate controls for the radio, which are mount ed at eye level. There Is enough room for five to trav el In comfort. Stfil, that wasn't enough to spoil the sporting nature of this car. The Idea of squeez ing this potent Yamaha en gine In this already compe tent family sedan was, and stUl Is, a good one. I can see why people like the Taurus so much. It's well-buUt, rides well and Isn't very expensive. That Is unless you opt for the SHO version. The base price Is $24,829. The auto matic transmission cost $641. The dual airbag option added another $488. Leather seats cost $515. Throw In THE PRIDE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY FRIDAY iY LADIES NIGHT tY Ladies Enter "FREE" ALL NIGHT COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE ALL "FREE" BEFORE 11PM "GUYS"... After 11 MEMBERS $1.00 Guest $3 -SATURDAY - BET COMIC VIEW AUDITION $6 Admission To up & Downstairs THE ONLY 2 LEVEL CLUB IN CHARLOTTE 2401 W ilkinson l>l\ (l. (7041375-.SS2S IMPORTANT NOTICE TO HOMEOWNERS! THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNDER TITLE 1 OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING ACT HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES TO MAKE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THBR HOME... WITHOUT WHOSE HELP ff MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU OWN YOUR HOUSE, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, LOCATION, CONDITION, INCOME, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS. IMPROVEMENTS MAY INCLUDE: LIFETIME CUT OUT COUPON AND MAIL TOMYJ^ __ ENERGY EFFICIENT SIDING, REPLACEMENT WINDOWS, ROOFING, KITCHENS, AND BATHROOMS. IF YOUR HOME IS IN NEED OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS, CALL OR SEND COUPON NOW! CALL NOW! 704-358-8224 ' Operators on coll 24 hours/doy l-8(X)-992-3979 « IMPERIAL CONSTRUCTION I 1520 IRIS DRIVE, CHARLOBE, N.C. 28205 I Name_ I Phone Addresi. City State. .2p- I My Home is: *Qwood Brick QCement [ |Block | |Stucco | |OThqr — — — I. — — — — — J Main Events./ Monitor, Hammertime Boxing Inc. and The Casino Association of New Jersey Present 12 RoundS"World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Bout EVANDER HOLYFIELD Former Heavyweight Champion Atlanta, Georgia / 28-1, 22 KO’s BIllBEII^SItllWr ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE hziENZA^HONEYGHIlll 12 Rounds-Middleweight Bout VINNY PAZIENZA LLOYD HONEYGHAN Two-time World Champion Two-time World Champion Cranston, Rhode Island /33-5,25 KO’s London, England/41-3, 28 KO’s LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW Order Before June 26 and Save $5.00 To Order Call: 338 - 7200 Charlotte 866 - 7545 Gastonia/Bessemer City 338 - 7272 Belmont/Mt. Holly 282 - 2265 Monroe/Union County 895 - 4758 Rockingham/Hamlet Coblevision All The Things We Are. Zenith addressable converter and/or pay per view attachment required. Some restrictions may apply. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1993
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 24, 1993, edition 1
31
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