I heard this rumor the other day for the second time. I just want to know 2 things, if you all have any info:
1) Is it true that the Taurus is going away, and
2) If it does, what will Ford use in NASCAR?

Assuming it is true, does Ford use the 500? It doesn't seem like the right type of car. But then they would have to use something else. Maybe they take the T-bird back to its former self and re-introduce it into the circuit...

 

Yes the Taurus has run it's course. I am not sure what the replacement is, but may be the Fusion. I think Nascar allows 1 or 2 years to switch over. Don't remember the exact rule.
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_sh...1_ford_fusion/

 

Isn't one of NASCAR's requirements that the vehicle offer a V8 option (or something like that)? That Fusion is kinda nice looking, though. I still think Ford ruined the T-Bird by making it a mid-life crisis car, and should put it back the way it was. It looked better and was way more affordable.

 

2006 is the last year for the Taurus sedan (the wagon is already history). I have no idea what Ford will use for NASCAR, but it sure won't be the Five Hundred. What would be the point of using a "taller" car when aero is so important?

 

As far as a V8 option, I don't think so. To my knowledge, the Taurus never came with a V8. Even the SHO was a V6.

 

In 1996-1999 the SHO was a 3.4 liter yamaha v8. They are pretty quick cars

 

when they had the SHO in the newer body style it had a 3.8L V8 in it. but nascar does not requier that a V8 be offered in the car body they are using. i wish ford would ahev made the wheelbase on the mustang long enough to une for nascar. that thing would get great downforce and out run anything out there.

 

Yeah, I did some searching after reading these replies about the different engines they used in the SHO. 3.0 V6, 3.2 V6, and the 3.4 V8. Never heard of the V8 before. Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info.

 

That's sort of what I was thinking when I asked the original question. It seems too tall. But let's speculate for a minute: Ford doesn't really have a good car to put into NASCAR as of right now. That's why I suggested putting the T-Bird back the way it was. Short of that, I don't know what else they could use. That Fusion is a nice looking car. Maybe once they fit it into NASCAR's templates it'll work?

 

The V8 SHO's were very expensive when they were new. Not sure how much they sell for these days.

 

Because that particular V8 has a penchant for blowing up at around 60,000 miles, they can be had quite cheap. But if it does go (cam timing gear lets loose), you can be looking at $10-$12000 for a new engine. Definitely a used car to avoid.

 

I would think that the 500 will be Ford's new nameplate for NASCAR. By the time the body is massaged and reshaped it will be a cartoon of it's former self. Look at the new NASCAR Charger next to the factory version...the same thing could happen to the 500.

MR

 

I could personally see the 500 be a nascar car. I dont think that it has to have a V8 in the product line to run in nascar because I see alot of Intrepids and Montecarlos racing in nascar and I dont think they have a V8 motor in there product line. I think that rule was used when nascar cars were just stock cars with the extra weight took out of it.

 

Yeah the real car definitely doesn't have a V8 for them to make a Nascar car out of it. Which I think is really stupid, every time I try to watch a Nascar race and see Tauruses and Monte Carlo nameplates out there it gets on my nerves. Those race cars probably dont' share a single part with the factory ones.

 

NONE of the cars in NASCAR have a V8 option.