Since then, we haven’t seen too many full-size sedans waltz past the 400-horsepower barrier, and even fewer manage to be a sales success while doing so. A rumor has just popped up that Ford may be interested in waltzing back into the megapowerful-sedan game once again, this time with its new Taurus SHO. While most of us remember the Taurus as little more than rental-lot fodder, the new-generation SHO is no asthmatic throw-away. With an efficient, 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood and a capable all-wheel-drive system down below, the car is downright fast.

But where 365 horsepower is good, 400 horsepower is better, and Ford seems to think that it can hit that figure without seriously affecting the car’s 25 mpg highway rating. But will it sell? Ford has tried its hand at reviving the menacing 4-door before, most notably with the 2003 Mercury Marauder. That car never really lived up to the company’s sales expectations, though, hobbled by lackluster performance, a dated Crown Victoria chassis, poor marketing and worse fuel economy. But where the Marauder fell short, the 2011 Taurus SHO seems set to shine.

Ford has spent plenty of marketing dollars convincing people that the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 Ecoboost engine in the Taurus SHO has the punch of a V8 with the thirst of a V6, and to some extent, people seem to get that message. Few things will help change the straggling doubters’ minds better than a cool 400 horsepower under the hood, though. With the extra grunt, the big Blue Oval should have no problem embarrassing its German competition -- and all for around $37,770.