Ford Taurus SHO vs. Audi S4 and S5

The Taurus SHO handles well for its size.

We all have seen the commercial of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO overtaking an Audi A6. And most of us have also seen the video of the Taurus SHO beating a V8-powered Audi A6 4.2 in a 0-60 run. So we at Forza Speed put two and two together and got three. We figured we should put the Taurus SHO up against the Audi S5 since they both have about the same power and both put down their power through all four wheels. However, just to make it that more exciting, we also threw in the Audi S4.

The S4 had the advantage of less weight.

Right from the start, it was noticeable that the Taurus SHO would have to work overtime in order to keep up with the competition. Due to its much smaller weight, the S4 had the advantage in acceleration and in cornering. Unlike the Taurus SHO, the S4 and S5 also had some wheel spin during acceleration.

The Taurus SHO has the more torque but also more weight.

The Taurus SHO has a morbidly obese torque range. All of the 350 lb.-ft. are provided from 1500-5250 rpm. However, the additional 25 lb.-ft. it has over the S4 and S5 aren't enough to compensate for its pavement-crushing weight. At just under 4,400-lbs., the weight truffle-shuffles from side to side while cornering. Nevertheless, a 0-60 time of 5.2-seconds isn't something to complain about. But that's still not enough to beat the S4's and S5's 4.9-second sprint to 60-mph.

The Taurus SHO is super chunky.

Despite its weight problem, the Taurus SHO is tossable around the turns and is fairly fun to drive. It understeers a bit, but hey, what all-wheel-drive car doesn't?

The S4 and S5 are quicker through the turns.

The S4 takes the lead...

...and stays there.

We think that the Taurus SHO looks very good, if not better than its competitors. Unlike the S4 and S5, the beltline of the Taurus SHO rises towards the back. It has a "J. Lo" rear. Even though the Taurus SHO comes back for the 2010 model year as a sleeper, its weight doesn't help on the backroads. By losing a few hundred pounds, the Taurus SHO could be more competitive. We're waiting, Ford.

Check out the video below.

-stefc93

Audi S4 vs. Audi S5

The supercharged V6-powered Audi S4 (left) battles it out with the V8-driven Audi S5.

What do the Audi S4 and S5 have in common? Well, for a start, they're both in Audi's "S-line" product category and both employ the world-renowned and loved Quattro all-wheel-drive. But that's where similarities end. The S4 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 which is paired with a supercharger, good for 333-hp. It has four doors. The S5 is run by a 4.2-liter naturally- aspirated V8, which puts down 349-hp. Despite it having a smaller engine and less horsepower, the S4 is actually faster than the S5 in acceleration. This is probably related to the boost that the supercharger provides and but also to the S4's weight. At 3,638-lbs, the S4 is almost 200-lbs. lighter than the S5, which comes in at 3,795-lbs. However, the S5 also has its advantages. The sound it provides is great and the S4 doesn't come near it. Compared to the S5, the S4 sounds like lawnmower with a distant whine. And, unlike the S4, the S5 provides some wheel spin during 0-60 runs, making the drive that much more exhilarating. Nevertheless, the S5 requires more effort around the bends due to Audi's front biased all-wheel-drive and more power going to those wheels versus the S4's. All in all, both are really good cars. Both are fun to drive, fast, handle great, and look spectacular. And at a price difference of only $3,000 ($48,000 for the S4 and $45,000 for the S5), you can't go wrong with either.

The S4 pulling away from the more powerful S5, due to the combination of a supercharger and lighter weight.

The S4 is a fun car to drive. Dare we say it's more fun than the S5?

The S5 drives very similarly to the smaller S4; handling is very good.

The lap times between the S4 and S5 were nearly identical. However, the S4 won.

The S5 came in a close second place.

Check out the video below which also includes more pictures.

-stefc93

Jaguar XFR vs. Audi RS 6

The RS 6 has a faster launch, thanks to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and the 580-hp, twin-turbocharged, 5.0-liter V10.

We set out to see whether which 2-ton, performance sedan was better: the Jaguar XFR or the Audi RS 6. For this first comparison of many more to come, we choose Mugello as the track. The Lexus ISF with a Monopoly paint scheme decided to tag along. Here's how it went.

The XFR has a 510-hp, 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which puts the power down to the rear wheels.

The XFR is definitely a fun car around the corners. It feels well planted for a rear wheel driver car and its tail steps out far less often than that of the BMW M5 and Cadillac CTS-V. This is where the Active Differential Control comes into play. It keeps the XFR going through the turn with little drama.

The XFR corners like a car half its weight.

Going around bends with the RS 6 feels like there's an elephant sitting on the top of your hood. The weight is noticeable as is the understeer. This is due to the car's weight of 4,376-lbs. Even though the XFR weighs 4,414-lbs., the RS 6's all-wheel-drive is front biased and therefore understeers more than the XFR.

The RS 6 pulls away from the XFR due to a 70-hp advantage and twin-turbos.

And keeps pulling...

The XFR is left behind.

So what can we say about these two cars? Well, they aren't the same. If you want a fun car around the turns, then the XFR is right for you. However, if you want to have control at all times no matter how many turns there are, then spring for the RS 6. However, at almost two times the price for the RS 6($155,000 versus $80,000 for the XFR), you have to stop and ask yourself: "Is it actually worth it?" We think so.

-stefc93