Ford Windstar SHO-Star Concept (1995)
Introduced: NAIAS 1995
The Windstar SHO-star concept was a styling exercise, undoubtedly done as part of research into offering a minivan with more flair for driving enthusiasts.
But it was also a part of Ford project to evaluate expanding use of the SHO V-6 engine into other product lines so that the well-received Yamaha engine could continue to be built. Since the Windstar was based on the Ford Taurus chassis, it was a natural choice and an inexpensive build. The SHO-star used the 220-HP 3 liter DOHC Yamaha SHO V-6.
Unfortunately, by 1995, the decision has been made to drop the Yamaha SHO engine and replace it with a half-Yamaha SHO V-8 engine. That doomed the concept of the SHO-Star.
This is the second SHO-powered minivan prototype Ford has built over the years. Manufacturers continue to research performance minivans, but none had been put into production in this country yet.
The SHO-Star was built on the last body style Windstar. Note the up-market HID headlights, a rarity at the time.
Unlike the last SHO-powered concept, this one appears very much production-able with production hood, fender, and body.
The SHO-star included the 5-speed manual transmission from the Taurus SHO. However, undoubtedly any performance version would have used the SHO automatic transmission instead.
Note the dual exhaust!
A base Windstar weights just under 600 pounds more than a base Taurus. So the SHO-Star would not have had the same performance as a Taurus SHO, but it would still have been a good driving experience.
Tail lights are based on fiber-optics, another advanced concept that was appropriate for concepts but not yet for production cars.
