Safety features included on 2010′s Taurus are a blind spot warning system and a voice activated navigational device. Pretty good for a start price of $25,995. Best of all, The Taurus will be all American – constructed at Ford’s Chicago assembly plant. Check out more thanks to Motor Trend’s video Live from the 2009 North American International Auto Show, along with outtakes from the official Ford Press Release below.

* Athletic, upscale new 2010 Ford Taurus confidently leads a growing wave of new-car introductions from Ford Motor Company. Available this summer, this distinctive new vehicle combines class-leading technologies with confident, engaging driving dynamics
* Taurus features an impressive set of standard and available technologies that add convenience, connectivity, safety and value for customers. They include Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, MyKey™ parental programmable, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert, Rain-Sensing Wipers, EasyFuel™ capless refueling, Ford SYNC® and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS® Travel Link™
* The new Taurus is powered by the award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine, mated to one of two available fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmissions including SelectShift® with shift control paddles mounted on the steering wheel and available all-wheel drive

Even better news? The new 2010 Taurus will start at $25,995 – the same price as 2009 models but with more class-leading features, new technologies and perceived quality that rivals premium luxury sedans.

The 2010 Taurus comes standard with Ford’s proven Duratec 3.5-liter V-6, generating an estimated 263 horsepower and 249 foot-pounds of torque. This award-winning engine earns a ULEV-II emissions certification and comes paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions.

The smooth and refined Duratec V-6 helps the front-wheel-drive Taurus deliver unsurpassed highway fuel economy. Taurus reflects Ford’s commitment to deliver the best, or be among the leaders, in fuel economy across the vehicle segments where it competes. Taurus fuel economy is aided by employment of a two-speed fuel pump and Aggressive Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off technology.

The Taurus engine plan also calls for optional availability of Ford’s advanced EcoBoost™ 3.5-liter V-6, with an announcement regarding availability coming soon.

SYNC is now an option (if you have $395 to spare) on all 2009 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury models. Ford SYNC allows drivers to bring nearly any mobile phone or digital media player into their vehicle and operate them using voice commands, through the radio or steering wheel. Some of those features include 9-1-1 Assist, Vehicle Reports, hands-free calling, audible text messages, voice-activated music, automatic phone book transfer and Multilingual intelligence in English, Spanish and French. Popular Science even awarded SYNC with a “Best of What’s New Award” for 2008. Check out Ford’s nifty PR video oh the Lincoln Sync concept system below.