gruss - back when I got my SHO in October in stock form I'd have to say the the 6s would be very close. The 6s feels like it has more down low, where a SHO doesn't begin to make any real power toi about 2800rpm. When I drove the 5speed 6s I was more impressed with its body tightness than anything else, it felt like my sho did after I added welded full length subframe connectors. Torque steer is a major issue on mine and just about ever SHO, but the Quaife LSD that I have pland for it will solve that nicely.
The 6 is faster for the 5 seconds off the line and then it loses the edge of the lower TQ. Now granted today, my SHO VS a stock 6s is not a challenge, not to say that a 6 isn't a great quick car, but for the $600 I have into my SHO in bolton stuff (y-pipe w/cats, AMSoil foam air filter, stb's, subframe connectors, and the recent addition of a chip) my cash is on the SHO even with a crappy launch (everytime with the open differential)
You have to remember too that a Mustang Cobra will run out of usable gearing and TQ way before a SHO will. It's similar in the 6s engine, my powerband is soooo wide and pretty much straight from about 3000 up to the 7500 limiter (8500 with a chip) and even at 8500 the car is still got more there, vs most other cars which start to drop off towards thier redlines and higher.
I went into test driving the 6s with my father just casue I wanted to point out to the dealer that it wasn't the next SHO, and I came away telling my father to buy one, cause its quick, comfortable, and looks good. But its not got mid to top end that I'm so used to, and love so much. There's something magical about a car that without boost pushes you back a little in the seat at 4000rpm.
Soon as Ford slaps the Taurus name on a 6 chassis I would seriously consider it, they even think of offering a Yamaha under the hood and I'll sell my soul. Cause then its a car that would be on the same level as the performance sedans the 6 is modeled after. And I'd rather drive a 2003 car, than a 1994. But I'll keep the 94 forever.