As to power, I can't commment on the Taurus but as far as the 7 and 9 series volvos go: -

1986cc, 4 pot normally aspirated - SLOW
2316cc, 4 pot normally aspirated - tolerable - but the US ones are slower because of US emission controls
1986cc, 4 pot turbo - fairly brisk
2316cc, 4 pot Low pressure turbo - fairly brisk
2316cc, 16 valve normally aspirated - fairly brisk
2316cc, 4 pot high pressure turbo - quick (up to 195 bhp depending on exact variant)
1986cc, 16 valve turbo (Italy only) quick - about 205 bhp.
All the above are called "red blocks"
B28 and B280 2849cc V6 - power varies from abou 140 bhp to 170 bhp depending on variantm so performance varies from tolerable to brisk
3 litre straight 6 (white block) up to 205 bhp so quick.

If you go to www.brickboard.com you will find that people can and do make the volvos go PDQ. Some are running the standing quarter mile in the 10 second bracket, and a lot in the 11 second bracket. 300 bhp (flywheel)is commonplace and 400 bhp a bit more expensive. One loony from Sweden has the redblock producing over 800 bhp.