Ford Taurus SHO Vs Audi A6??? WTF!!
01-23-2010, 05:19 AM
#11
AudiWorld Senior Member
Car companies, particularly American ones, are great at comparing distinct statistics between cars, highlighting those in their favor. Our engine is more powerful. Our car has more rear legroom. Our car has more cupholders, etc.
However, cars are much more than the sum of their stats. They are the overall package, of design, materials, quality of construction and performance. It is this combination of factors that give a car its feel, or "soul". The European manufacturers really seem to understand this.
Just because the SHO has more horsepower or a bigger trunk or whatever doesn't mean the car feels as nice or is as enjoyable to drive as an Audi. Ford is making progress, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where it is making cars that are greater than the sum of their stats.
I'm not saying that no American cars can be superior to an Audi, or a premium German car, only that it is very rare. This is because American companies still don't seem to get that they should be shooting for that combined package, not individual stats.
However, cars are much more than the sum of their stats. They are the overall package, of design, materials, quality of construction and performance. It is this combination of factors that give a car its feel, or "soul". The European manufacturers really seem to understand this.
Just because the SHO has more horsepower or a bigger trunk or whatever doesn't mean the car feels as nice or is as enjoyable to drive as an Audi. Ford is making progress, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where it is making cars that are greater than the sum of their stats.
I'm not saying that no American cars can be superior to an Audi, or a premium German car, only that it is very rare. This is because American companies still don't seem to get that they should be shooting for that combined package, not individual stats.
01-23-2010, 06:00 AM
#12
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's the most meaningless accretion of stats I can point to as an example.
The marketers are smart however, they know their typical buyer. Logic eludes most Americans.
Although this isn't a phenomenon isolated to America,it seems to flourish here. You will note the abundance of folks who often feel a need to come on an Audi board and rage about how some model, of some car, is faster and therefore the better car.
One dimensional thinking by two dimensional minds.
01-23-2010, 06:30 AM
#13
AudiWorld Senior Member
The most irksome of these is a commercial with Howie Long (ex NFL) crowing about how this particular model of (Dodge maybe?) is quicker than (insert Brand A), stops faster than (Brand B this time), more fuel efficient than (now Brand C).
It's the most meaningless accretion of stats I can point to as an example.
It's the most meaningless accretion of stats I can point to as an example.
You will note the abundance of folks who often feel a need to come on an Audi board and rage about how some model, of some car, is faster and therefore the better car.
01-23-2010, 06:31 AM
#14
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car companies, particularly American ones, are great at comparing distinct statistics between cars, highlighting those in their favor. Our engine is more powerful. Our car has more rear legroom. Our car has more cupholders, etc.
However, cars are much more than the sum of their stats. They are the overall package, of design, materials, quality of construction and performance. It is this combination of factors that give a car its feel, or "soul". The European manufacturers really seem to understand this.
Just because the SHO has more horsepower or a bigger trunk or whatever doesn't mean the car feels as nice or is as enjoyable to drive as an Audi. Ford is making progress, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where it is making cars that are greater than the sum of their stats.
I'm not saying that no American cars can be superior to an Audi, or a premium German car, only that it is very rare. This is because American companies still don't seem to get that they should be shooting for that combined package, not individual stats.
However, cars are much more than the sum of their stats. They are the overall package, of design, materials, quality of construction and performance. It is this combination of factors that give a car its feel, or "soul". The European manufacturers really seem to understand this.
Just because the SHO has more horsepower or a bigger trunk or whatever doesn't mean the car feels as nice or is as enjoyable to drive as an Audi. Ford is making progress, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where it is making cars that are greater than the sum of their stats.
I'm not saying that no American cars can be superior to an Audi, or a premium German car, only that it is very rare. This is because American companies still don't seem to get that they should be shooting for that combined package, not individual stats.
01-23-2010, 07:07 AM
#15
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The most irksome of these is a commercial with Howie Long (ex NFL) crowing about how this particular model of (Dodge maybe?) is quicker than (insert Brand A), stops faster than (Brand B this time), more fuel efficient than (now Brand C).
It's the most meaningless accretion of stats I can point to as an example.
The marketers are smart however, they know their typical buyer. Logic eludes most Americans.
Although this isn't a phenomenon isolated to America,it seems to flourish here. You will note the abundance of folks who often feel a need to come on an Audi board and rage about how some model, of some car, is faster and therefore the better car.
One dimensional thinking by two dimensional minds.
It's the most meaningless accretion of stats I can point to as an example.
The marketers are smart however, they know their typical buyer. Logic eludes most Americans.
Although this isn't a phenomenon isolated to America,it seems to flourish here. You will note the abundance of folks who often feel a need to come on an Audi board and rage about how some model, of some car, is faster and therefore the better car.
One dimensional thinking by two dimensional minds.
01-23-2010, 09:07 AM
#16
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car companies, particularly American ones, are great at comparing distinct statistics between cars, highlighting those in their favor. Our engine is more powerful. Our car has more rear legroom. Our car has more cupholders, etc.
However, cars are much more than the sum of their stats. They are the overall package, of design, materials, quality of construction and performance. It is this combination of factors that give a car its feel, or "soul". The European manufacturers really seem to understand this.
Just because the SHO has more horsepower or a bigger trunk or whatever doesn't mean the car feels as nice or is as enjoyable to drive as an Audi. Ford is making progress, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where it is making cars that are greater than the sum of their stats.
I'm not saying that no American cars can be superior to an Audi, or a premium German car, only that it is very rare. This is because American companies still don't seem to get that they should be shooting for that combined package, not individual stats.
However, cars are much more than the sum of their stats. They are the overall package, of design, materials, quality of construction and performance. It is this combination of factors that give a car its feel, or "soul". The European manufacturers really seem to understand this.
Just because the SHO has more horsepower or a bigger trunk or whatever doesn't mean the car feels as nice or is as enjoyable to drive as an Audi. Ford is making progress, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where it is making cars that are greater than the sum of their stats.
I'm not saying that no American cars can be superior to an Audi, or a premium German car, only that it is very rare. This is because American companies still don't seem to get that they should be shooting for that combined package, not individual stats.
But there car isn't. That's the thing they compared the base model A6 to the top of the line Taurus.
And the cost in A6 over the Taurus to begin with, besides engine mainly quality, the Audi is heaps and loads of better quality and material. I don't even care they made the cmparison, but don't say you are comparing it to v8 A6 when you aren't, it was the older v6 265HP, not even the new tsfi 3.0 A6, which would easily keep pace, and the v8 A6 would just be a tad faster than the SHO. And on top of that they gave the pricing of the A6 as the v8 version.
01-23-2010, 09:10 AM
#17
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Honda joked on this, about all these car companies, saying they drive like, honda, priced like honda, ... or XYZ, and they ended the advertisement why not just by a Honda. It was hilarious, when you thought about it, because it said everyone is trying to be like us.
01-23-2010, 10:19 AM
#18
TOTAL HORSESH*T
Why not compare the forced-induction V6 Taurus to the forced-induction V6 A6? Wouldn't that be an apples-to apples comparison? It's common knowledge that the 3.0T is a better engine than the aging 4.2 (something this 'comparison' conveniently fails to mention).
So let's do an apples-to-apples comparison based on real world facts using first drives from Motor Trend Magazine:
2010 FORD TAURUS SHO
Displacement 3.5L
Power 365 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque 350 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
Curb weight 4361 lb
Weight Dist 60/40%
0-60 5.2 sec
EPA city/hwy 17/25 mpg
2010 AUDI A6 QUATTRO:
Displacement 3.0L
Power 300hp @ 5100 - 6800 rpm
Torque 310 lbs. ft. @ 2500 - 5100 rpm
Curb weight 4139 lb
Weight Dist 57/43%
0-60 5.4 sec
EPA city/hwy fuel 18 / 26 mpg
So despite its half-liter displacement advantage the Taurus gets to 60mph only 0.2 seconds quicker than the Audi. On the other hand the A6 is lighter, better balanced, and more fuel efficient.
The engine performance between the two cars is very close while in every other respect the A6 is the better car. And comparing price is also horse-sh*t since the A6 is a German luxury sedan while the Ford is not.
if you can't afford a german car buy a Taurus, or a Camry, or whatever. If you have the cash then get the A6. That is, unless that 0.2 seconds means more to you than handling, driving pleasure, luxury, refinement, build quality, fuel efficiency, and taste.
So let's do an apples-to-apples comparison based on real world facts using first drives from Motor Trend Magazine:
2010 FORD TAURUS SHO
Displacement 3.5L
Power 365 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque 350 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
Curb weight 4361 lb
Weight Dist 60/40%
0-60 5.2 sec
EPA city/hwy 17/25 mpg
2010 AUDI A6 QUATTRO:
Displacement 3.0L
Power 300hp @ 5100 - 6800 rpm
Torque 310 lbs. ft. @ 2500 - 5100 rpm
Curb weight 4139 lb
Weight Dist 57/43%
0-60 5.4 sec
EPA city/hwy fuel 18 / 26 mpg
So despite its half-liter displacement advantage the Taurus gets to 60mph only 0.2 seconds quicker than the Audi. On the other hand the A6 is lighter, better balanced, and more fuel efficient.
The engine performance between the two cars is very close while in every other respect the A6 is the better car. And comparing price is also horse-sh*t since the A6 is a German luxury sedan while the Ford is not.
if you can't afford a german car buy a Taurus, or a Camry, or whatever. If you have the cash then get the A6. That is, unless that 0.2 seconds means more to you than handling, driving pleasure, luxury, refinement, build quality, fuel efficiency, and taste.
Last edited by AnimaTTor; 01-23-2010 at 10:22 AM.
01-23-2010, 08:10 PM
#19
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not compare the forced-induction V6 Taurus to the forced-induction V6 A6? Wouldn't that be an apples-to apples comparison? It's common knowledge that the 3.0T is a better engine than the aging 4.2 (something this 'comparison' conveniently fails to mention).
So let's do an apples-to-apples comparison based on real world facts using first drives from Motor Trend Magazine:
2010 FORD TAURUS SHO
Displacement 3.5L
Power 365 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque 350 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
Curb weight 4361 lb
Weight Dist 60/40%
0-60 5.2 sec
EPA city/hwy 17/25 mpg
2010 AUDI A6 QUATTRO:
Displacement 3.0L
Power 300hp @ 5100 - 6800 rpm
Torque 310 lbs. ft. @ 2500 - 5100 rpm
Curb weight 4139 lb
Weight Dist 57/43%
0-60 5.4 sec
EPA city/hwy fuel 18 / 26 mpg
So despite its half-liter displacement advantage the Taurus gets to 60mph only 0.2 seconds quicker than the Audi. On the other hand the A6 is lighter, better balanced, and more fuel efficient.
The engine performance between the two cars is very close while in every other respect the A6 is the better car. And comparing price is also horse-sh*t since the A6 is a German luxury sedan while the Ford is not.
if you can't afford a german car buy a Taurus, or a Camry, or whatever. If you have the cash then get the A6. That is, unless that 0.2 seconds means more to you than handling, driving pleasure, luxury, refinement, build quality, fuel efficiency, and taste.
So let's do an apples-to-apples comparison based on real world facts using first drives from Motor Trend Magazine:
2010 FORD TAURUS SHO
Displacement 3.5L
Power 365 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque 350 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
Curb weight 4361 lb
Weight Dist 60/40%
0-60 5.2 sec
EPA city/hwy 17/25 mpg
2010 AUDI A6 QUATTRO:
Displacement 3.0L
Power 300hp @ 5100 - 6800 rpm
Torque 310 lbs. ft. @ 2500 - 5100 rpm
Curb weight 4139 lb
Weight Dist 57/43%
0-60 5.4 sec
EPA city/hwy fuel 18 / 26 mpg
So despite its half-liter displacement advantage the Taurus gets to 60mph only 0.2 seconds quicker than the Audi. On the other hand the A6 is lighter, better balanced, and more fuel efficient.
The engine performance between the two cars is very close while in every other respect the A6 is the better car. And comparing price is also horse-sh*t since the A6 is a German luxury sedan while the Ford is not.
if you can't afford a german car buy a Taurus, or a Camry, or whatever. If you have the cash then get the A6. That is, unless that 0.2 seconds means more to you than handling, driving pleasure, luxury, refinement, build quality, fuel efficiency, and taste.
Dude, does anybody pay attention, whether it was the 3.0 or 4.2, what was shown in that commercial was not either. the v8 4.2 is 350 HP, 0-60 in 5.7,
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 4.2 liters
Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 350 hp
Max Horsepower: 6800 rpm Torque: 325 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3500 rpm Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 39 ft.
The car they tested against, was a 3.2 v6 265HP, the 3.0t replaced this model, are you kidding the car they pulled up did 0-60 in nearly 7 secs, 6.97 ... you can't honestly believe that was the v8, get real. It was clear the 3.2 v6.
01-24-2010, 08:13 AM
#20
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It really doesn't matter which A6 they tested. Most people won't notice and that's not the point anyway. The reality is that a base A6 costs about $5k more than a loaded SHO. The reality also is that no one that is interested in a new A6 would consider a Taurus.
But what they are trying to do is make a positive association. Hyundai did the same thing with their Genesis sedan. Of course a Hyundai is no where near as good as a BMW 5 Series, but for those people who are in the market for a new reasonably priced sedan, that's a great association. If you haven't been in an SHO, you should go try one out. It's a smart looking car and there are a lot of similarities with the A6. But if you can't afford a new A6, or if you are considering a used one, the SHO is a serious consideration.
But what they are trying to do is make a positive association. Hyundai did the same thing with their Genesis sedan. Of course a Hyundai is no where near as good as a BMW 5 Series, but for those people who are in the market for a new reasonably priced sedan, that's a great association. If you haven't been in an SHO, you should go try one out. It's a smart looking car and there are a lot of similarities with the A6. But if you can't afford a new A6, or if you are considering a used one, the SHO is a serious consideration.