To really show the differences in V-8 vs. twin-turbocharged V-6, Ford has offered up this new comparison video of the Taurus SHO EcoBoost against the Audi A6 4.2 FSI V-8. While the result was predetermined -- 0.60 numbers don’t lie, it’s still pretty interesting seeing it happen live. It’s all about creating good press, and I think appearing unafraid to make direct comparisons with the competition is a bold thing to do. GM is doing this in new advertisements as well.

Getting down to actual numbers, the $37,995 base-price of the Taurus SHO checks in at $20,000 cheaper than the $60,950 (ouch!) Audi A6 4.2 FSI V-8. The Audi has an engine that is 0.7-liter larger in displacement than the SHO’s, and has 350 horsepower, 15 less than the SHO. The two are different types of vehicles, but the performance chops of the EcoBoost engine are hard to deny.

Sponsored: Find best autoanything coupons and save money on auto parts!

Now, things are different at, with Alan Mulally in charge and new products from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury (the lonely Milan) demonstrating the changes.

Perhaps no car better emphasizes the new Ford than the Taurus. It’s almost as if all the bad years of Taurus have gone away, and the new car is the result of years of proper updating and refinement. The SHO is the model that has gotten all the attention, particularly from enthusiasts.

If there has been a particular criticism of the SHO, it’s that it hasn’t been differentiated well enough from its standard counterparts. The only changes on the SHO model are different wheels, a small spoiler, SHO badges and some added chrome detailing on the front end. For those that are paying for a loaded SHO (that ca reach nearly  $50K) this might be a bit concerning.

Car & Driver is reporting that Ford is planning some updates to rectify that for model year 2012. Car & Driver says they suggested some changes on the Taurus SHO like smoked lamp lenses, but were told the car would be updated more significantly than that. The only specific change mentioned though was new wheels. Ford is supposedly waiting until the 2012 model year so the changes don’t look as if they are being done to correct first year mistakes.