Earlier, we showed you the facelifted Ford Taurus. The 2013 model year full-size saloon of the Blue Oval comes with a fresh face, more features and a new 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Both that four-cylinder turbo and the improved 3.5 V6 offer decent figures, but this is the Taurus with the muscles – the Taurus SHO.

The Taurus SHO was always powered by an Ecoboost 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 365 hp and 475 Nm, and there’s no change in engine or figures for this facelifted version. There were rumours that this SHO will get bumped to 400 horses, but considering the firepower it already has, perhaps that’s unnecessary. A six-speed SelectShift auto with steering paddles does transmission duties.

So no power up, but the SHO does get a new optional Performance Package. A 3.16:1 final drive ratio will improve initial acceleration, and you’ll get new dampers and specific springs. Also, the EPS steering has been tuned and the ESC has a track mode with “true off” (zero intervention), performance brakes and “track-tuned calipers”.

Looks wise, the SHO is set apart by a black mesh grille flanked by series-specific HID headlamps. A fender-mounted scallop with SHO badge and 19-inch wheels can be seen on the sides (20-inch machined and painted wheels are optional). Black wing mirrors (heated with memory and puddle lamps) and a decklid spoiler are the other changes. The cabin is in full black.

By the way, the picture here gives you a better view of the SYNC with MyFord Touch system’s LCD screens and buttons mentioned in the previous story.

Here’s a finding that Ford is keen to share. About half of 2010 SHO customers had not previously considered buying a Ford, and frequently it’s high-end sedans (examples given are 3 and 5-Series BMWs and Acura TLs) that are traded in. Interesting.

More pics after the jump.
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With the whole automotive world focusing on Shanghai and its world debuts, the unfortunately timed New York Auto Show is firmly in the shadows. Faced with a choice, where would you want show off fresh metal? The largest auto market in the world, of course!

But there are still some new cars to be had in NYC, and this refreshed Ford Taurus is one. The 2013 Taurus isn’t all new, but a facelift of the all new 2010 model year car. Ford’s flagship sedan sees better fuel economy, more technology, enhanced design, improved craftsmanship and sharpened dynamics, according to Ford.

Looks wise, the new Taurus features a new face and a more muscular hood, complemented by larger wheels/tyres for a more aggressive stance. Rear quarter panels have been raised, enabling larger, full LED taillamps. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group VP of global product development, said the styling tweaks were wholly influenced by the new Audi A6, which is quite obvious from the front! The Audi also served as benchmark for exterior fit and finish.

Under the hood, the big news is the introduction of a new 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Cars of this size normally come with a V6, but this turbocharged direct injection four-pot gives better economy while matching the go of a naturally aspirated V6. It’s estimated to deliver 237 hp, 340 Nm of torque and best in class highway economy of 11 km/l.

There’s still a V6 for those who want one – Ford’s usual 3.5 V6 is now rated at 290 hp, 27 horses more thanks to twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). A six-speed auto ‘box is standard.

Fuel saving measures introduced include low-tension front end accessory drive belt, smart battery management, aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff, variable-displacement air conditioning compressor, reduced friction lubricants and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). The steering rack is now mounted to the subframe, and the ratio is quicker.

There are other under the skin changes, too. Torque vectoring control improves grip and handling, while curve control slows the vehicle if it senses that a driver inadvertently enters a curve too quickly. With application of four-wheel braking, speed can be trimmed by up to 10 mph in approximately one second. Apparently, entering/exiting highway loops too fast contribute to over 50,000 crashes a year in the US!

Taurus also gets a larger brake master cylinder with revised booster tuning, resulting in a “shorter pedal ratio” and “dramatically improved pedal feel”. Brake friction material has been upgraded for improved fade resistance and performance.

NVH control has been enhanced with the addition of A-pillar and cowl baffles and acoustic wheel-well liners. Inside, all pillars are now fabric wrapped, and the glovebox and console storage are flock-lined, besides having new switchgear.

Also new is SYNC with MyFord Touch, which replaces buttons, knobs and gauges with colour LCD screens and steering wheel five-way toggles. These screens can be personalised and “talked to” via voice control.

Gallery after the jump.
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According to a Reuters report, Ford is set to introduce no less than 15 new models into the Chinese market by 2015 as part of its agressive expansion plans in the world’s number one automotive market.

The company said in a statement that it will be doubling its dealerships in the country from the 340 now over the next five years, and is looking to add 1,200 employees into its workforce there.

The blue oval already makes the Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus, among others, in China, in partnership with Chongqing Changan Automobile and Mazda, and also holds a 30% stake in light commercial vehicle manufacturer Jiangling Motors.

Ford sold 53,440 units in China last month, a 20% increase from the same period in 2010, a significant percentage rise in an overall market that has only grown 5.4% for the month, year on year, the report adds. It’s still a ways away from catching top dog GM though, which sold just over 233,000 vehicles in March. Undoubtedly, it’s looking at closing the gap in a big way over the next five years with the introduction of all those new models.

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Ford’s new Focus ECOnetic will make its official debut next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Set to enter the market in early 2012 in both five-door and estate bodystyles, the company says that this one is expected to be more fuel efficient than any other compact vehicle on the road today in Europe, including diesel, petrol and hybrid powered ones.

The promise from the Focus ECOnetic is that it is expected to consume less than 3.5 litres of diesel per 100 km on a combined cycle and deliver ultra-low CO2 emissions of less than 95g/km when certification is completed later this year.

The vehicle is powered by a new 105 PS version of the 1.6 litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel which has been optimised for enhanced fuel efficiency, with a new injection system and turbocharger, enhanced charge cooling and further friction reduction measures in place.

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The common-rail fuel injection system of the diesel engine has been completely redesigned, with eight-hole nano sac injectors operating at injection pressures of up to 1,600 bar, controlled by a more powerful engine management system, the result being more precise control and increased combustion efficiency.

To provide more accurate control of the charge air temperature and to deliver a cooler, denser charge, the intake system features a water-cooled intercooler in place of the standard air-to-air system.

Other fuel efficiency enhancements include a new variable geometry turbocharger design, low-friction piston ring coatings and variable flow oil pump as well as a low inertia vacuum pump and an asymmetric crank sprocket design to provide additional reduction in engine losses.

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The 1.6 litre ECOnetic diesel will be paired with Ford’s six-speed Durashift manual transmission, which has been optimised to eliminate frictional losses and utilises a special low-friction transmission oil.

The Focus ECOnetic also benefits from features developed specifically for this model, including a unique aerodynamic package with an Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres and a revised final drive ratio.

Much of the aerodynamic improvements concentrate on smoothing the airflow underneath the vehicle – the ECOnetic derivative features additional undershields and deflectors.

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As for the Active Grille Shutter, it’s a system that optimises aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment. If air is required to cool the engine the vents are opened; but if no airflow is needed, the vents are shut, thereby significantly reducing aerodynamic drag.

It will come wearing the full range of ECOnetic Technologies found in the all-new Focus line-up, including Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light.