In interior room, the SHO and the GTP are fairly evenly matched; the Ford holds a useful edge in front headroom, rear legroom, and rear hiproom, with the Pontiac taking a lead in rear headroom, and front and rear shoulder room. The other categories are a virtual tie.
Staff criticisms of the GTP were few, but one was significant: disconcerting reflections in its 63-degree-raked windshield. Also noted was some chassis shake and a few creaks from the instrument panel of this preproduction car.
If you haven't yet figured out that we think the new Pontiac Grand Prix GTP handily whips the Ford Taurus SHO, then you're probably still contributing to the Committee to Elect Dukakis. Still, the SHO remains an impressive monument to Japanese-American technology. And for most folks, it's plenty rapid. But the Grand Prix GTP, despite lacking some of the SHO's sophistication, is not only considerably quicker and more pampering, it's a bunch cheaper every time you write the payment check.
Tech Data
| GENERAL |
| | Ford Taurus SHO | Pontiac Grand Prix GTP |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company | Pontiac Division, |
| | Dearborn, Mich. | General Motors Corp, |
| | Pontiac, Mich. |
| Location of final assembly | Atlanta, Ga. | Kansas City, Kan. |
| Body style | 4-door, 5-passenger | 4-door, 5-passenger |
| EPA size class | Midsize | Midsize |
| Drivetrain layout | Front engine, front drive | Front engine, front drive |
| Airbag | Dual | Dual |
| Engine configuration | 60° V-8, DOHC, | 90° V-6, OHV, |
| | 4 valves/cylinder | 2 valves/cylinder |
| Engine displacement, ci/cc | 207/3392 | 231/3791 |
| Horsepower, |
| hp @ rpm, SAE net | 235 @ 6100 | 240 @ 5200 |
| Torque, |
| lb-ft @ rpm, SAE net | 230 @ 4800 | 280 @ 3200 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic | 4-speed automatic |
| Base price | $25,930 | $19,809 |
| Price as tested | $29,690 | $24,571 |
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