The same engines as in the previous models are under the hood, with a 6.2-liter V8 that lays down 518 horsepower and 456 pound-feet for the S63 and a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 that makes 612 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque for the S65. The S65 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, while the S63 has a seven-speed sport transmission.

The S63 sprints to 60 mph in less than 4.6 seconds, and its V12 sibling gets up there a bit faster — under 4.4 seconds. Speed is electronically limited to just over 155 mph.

A new arrow-shaped radiator grille adorns the front, and LED daytime running lights have been mounted in the lower-grille air inlets. In back is a body-colored diffuser (current models have a black one), taillights consisting of 52 LEDs and a set of redesigned chrome exhaust pipes. The S63 gets 19-inch multispoke alloys and the S65 gets 20-inch rollers, both colored titanium gray.

The interior is dressed in lots of leather and features an AMG analog clock and aluminum shift paddles. Standard technology includes the Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and PreSafe brakes.

+ 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 Drive Test
+ 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift Luxury Sedan Revealed
+ 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Arrives U.S. This September
+ BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S Class: Similarities and Differences
+ 2009 Mercedes CL550 Coupe Width Sedan Luxury
+ 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Review
+ 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

The S63 AMG starts at the equivalent of $192,900 for the short-wheelbase model and $212,900 for the long-wheelbase variant. Pricing on the S65 begins at $309,930. American pricing has yet to be announced.
Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63/S65 AMG

The Caliber is joined by a host of other American-made vehicles at the top of a list of cars American drivers have little intrest in buying, including: the Dodge Avenger, Pontiac G6 and the Chevrolet Cobalt. In fact, 12 of the 15 slowest selling cars on a list prepared by Edmunds for ABC News are American made. On the foreign side only the Kia Optima, and Spectra and the Hyundai Sonata were the on models on the list of automotive dogs.

Jessica Caldwell, an industry analyst at Edmunds.com, said that part of the problem is a lack of customer demand and part is an overproduction by American automakers.

“It’s really a reflection of a misstep of the American automakers,” Caldwell said.

General Motors and Chrysler dominated the list. Ford only had one vehicle on it: the venerable Mustang.

Edmunds looked at cars sold by dealerships in May and how long they had been on the lots. Only models with 2,000 or more sales were included in the list to filter out lesser-known and obscure models. A healthy day supply number is about 60 days.

Pontiac’s G6, Dodge’s Charger, Jeep’s Patriot, Chevrolet’s Cobalt and Colorado and Ford’s Mustang rounded up the top 10 worst performing models in May — all with day supplies higher than 145 days.

Models that are doing relatively well in the market are those with a good fuel economy, quality reputations and reasonable prices, said Joe Phillippi, of AutoTrends Consulting.

+ 2009 Detroit: Jeep Patriot EV Joins Chrysler ENVI Electric
+ 2009 Dodge Charger SXT: Great Large Sedan
+ New York 2008: Pontiac G8 GXP 2009
+ 2009 Chevrolet Car, Truck, Crossover and SUV: What’s New?
+ Hybrid Tax Credit Available for Colorado Looming
+ 2010 Camaro SS vs 2010 Mustang GT vs 2009 Challenger R/T

Dodge Caliber- $16,460 to $24,840, mpg 24/30

Chrysler’s Dodge Caliber is particularly inept seller at 223 days. The car features a lot of cargo room, but Edmunds.com called the car “one of the least appealing small hatchbacks or wagons on the market” pointing to the Caliber’s meager 172 horsepower engine that delivers “sluggish acceleration” and they noted the “unimpressive build quality.” Despite its reasonable price, Car and Driver magazine says the Caliber’s “vague steering” and “heavy ride” may make the vehicle seem more like a truck than a compact vehicle.

The Dodge Avenger is far from the meanest selling car on the lot. Its 211 day supply is surpassed only by its relative, the Dodge Caliber. Because of the car’s “polarizing styling, budget interior materials and tepid driving dynamics,” Edmunds.com says it’s no surprise when consumers pass over the Avenger for a different midsized all-wheel drive model.

Pontiac G6- $19,275 – $32,300, mpg 22 / 33

Pontiac G6′s 211 day supply is indicative of the gloomy fate for the soon-to-be terminated Pontiac brand. The G6 is available in three body styles as a coupe, a convertible or a sedan, but Edmunds.com says all three are “far from being class leaders.” TheCarConnection.com gives the line a 6.8 out of 10 rating, highlighting the vehicle’s “iffy safety” and cheap-looking interior materials.

The Kia Optima is the slowest selling car from a foreign automaker on the list with a 166 day supply. Autoguide.com said the model has a nice exterior re-design but said the Optima “rides far too loosely on its suspension” and use “less-than-pleasing material” for its seating.

Dodge Charger- $24,835 – $38,970, mpg 18/26

Despite its aggresive name, the Dodge Charger takes 163 days to creep off the lot. The reincarnated muscle car offers V8 performance and has a good amount of space for families on-the-go. But for drivers looking for a large sedan, Edmunds.com writes that competitors like the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord are “more practical choices.”

Jeep Patriot- $17,540 – $23,980, mpg 23/28

The Jeep Patriot, another Chrysler brand, fails to get much of a salute from reviewers. This SUV-like model has good fuel economy and durable off-road features and a 163 day supply. But unless you’re expecting to go trail-blazing through the Kalahari, Edmunds.com says that with its cheap interior design and lackluster engine power, the Patriot “should be near the bottom of your list.”

The Kia Optima is the slowest selling car from a foreign automaker on the list with a 166 day supply. Autoguide.com said the model has a nice exterior re-design but said the Optima “rides far too loosely on its suspension” and use “less-than-pleasing material” for its seating.

Dodge Charger- $24,835 – $38,970, mpg 18/26

Despite its aggresive name, the Dodge Charger takes 163 days to creep off the lot. The reincarnated muscle car offers V8 performance and has a good amount of space for families on-the-go. But for drivers looking for a large sedan, Edmunds.com writes that competitors like the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord are “more practical choices.”

Jeep Patriot- $17,540 – $23,980, mpg 23/28

The Jeep Patriot, another Chrysler brand, fails to get much of a salute from reviewers. This SUV-like model has good fuel economy and durable off-road features and a 163 day supply. But unless you’re expecting to go trail-blazing through the Kalahari, Edmunds.com says that with its cheap interior design and lackluster engine power, the Patriot “should be near the bottom of your list.”

The government really wants to get the U.S. automobile industry into gear. It has already stepped in to bail out carmakers with money, loans, and special bankruptcy treatment. Now it seems ready to dole out $1 billion to consumers in the form of vouchers to buy newer, more-efficient vehicles under the Cash for Clunkers program.

Proponents say it will modernize the U.S. vehicle fleet, getting rid of older cars that pollute more, are less safe, and burn more gas. More important to many, the money could save jobs in the auto sector, from parts suppliers to dealers, by lifting new car sales by at least 250,000 this year. One sign of the measure’s popularity: The Senate passed it on a 91-5 vote.

President Barack Obama had repeatedly urged Congress to pass the bill and is expected to sign it by July 1, its proposed effective date.
Clunker qualifications

Still, there are critics. Some say the eligibility requirements are too stringent for the program to have much effect. Others say the government has already spent too much to help the car industry. There are also questions about whether the folks driving those clunkers can afford brand-new wheels. “It is just too big of a price tag for the minimal results it would produce,” said Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, the only Democrat to vote against the act.

Here are the basics:

• Vouchers of either $3,500 or $4,500 will be given to people who trade in an older vehicle to buy a new one.

• The trade-in, or clunker, must be no older than 25 years, have average gas mileage of less than 18 miles per gallon, and have been owned by the seller for at least a year.

• The new car must cost less than $45,000 and get more than 22 mpg. To get the higher voucher, the new vehicle must also average 10 more miles per gallon than the old one.

• Trucks—SUVs, pickups, and minivans—have different rules. An improvement of at least 2 mpg between the old and new vehicles qualifies for $3,500; 5 mpg or more entitles buyers to $4,500.

• There are no income limits on voucher recipients, nor restrictions on where the new cars are made.

+ “Cash for Clunkers” Law Signed by Obama
+ Cash for Clunkers Rebate Eligible Vehicles List by Edmunds
+ Cash For Clunkers Car Buying Stimulus Bill
+ BMW Used Cars Eligible for ‘Cash For Clunkers’
+ Cash for Clunkers: Eligible Used Cars List Under $3,500

Germany instituted a scrappage program earlier this year, followed by France and Britain. While car sales are down significantly from prerecession 2007 totals, sales in those countries have risen since the subsidies began. There’s little question that Detroit could use a similar boost. Americans are on track to buy 9.5 million new vehicles this year, down 40% from 16.1 million in 2007.

Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl says, however, that carmakers and buyers alike will be disappointed. He argues that the industry needs help raising sales by 3 million vehicles or more, not 250,000 to 400,000. “The scale is just wrong,” he says.

Anwyl urges consumers to read the fine print. The program is not a rebate or a tax credit, though, based on public comments at Edmunds.com, he says many people think so. “Don’t get too excited,” Anwyl says. “Chances are you’re not eligible.”

Under the law, consumers can get up to $4,500 toward a new more fuel-efficient car when they trade in an older model with worse gas mileage, under the new system.

The formal name of the program is the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). “Under the CARS program, NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] is charged with rules for program implementation in 30 days,” according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Web site. “You may want to contact your local dealer in mid-July.”

Consumers can sign up for updates as the program rolls out to car buyers and dealers. The program ends on November 1, 2009. It is designed to stimulate the auto industry and act as an environmental aid, since it is intended to encourage consumers who own an older gas guzzler to purchase or lease a new, fuel-efficient vehicle.

The National Automobile Dealers Association is telling its dealers to wait until the rules are out in July before participating.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the trade-in vehicle must meet these requirements to qualify for the program:

• The vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date.
• Only the purchase or lease of a new vehicle qualifies.
• Trade-in vehicles must get 18 miles per gallon or less, although the law notes “some very large pickup trucks and cargo vans have different requirements.”
• Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in.
• “You don’t need a voucher; dealers will apply a credit at purchase.”

+ Cash for Clunkers Rebate Eligible Vehicles List by Edmunds
+ Cash For Clunkers Car Buying Stimulus Bill
+ BMW Used Cars Eligible for ‘Cash For Clunkers’
+ Cash for Clunkers: Eligible Used Cars List Under $3,500

The cash-for-clunkers provision was passed as part of a larger $106 billion military spending bill.

And that’s just on the surface. The change gets even starker under the hood, where for the first time in a decade, the brand will offer a four-cylinder engine, as General Motors works to meet stiffer fuel-mileage standards expected for 2016. Buick also will offer all-wheel drive in the LaCrosse, the first time it’s ever put that technology in a sedan.

The redesign for 2010 brings a lot of change for a brand that has become fairly stodgy in the marketplace. But that’s the idea, says Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC in North America.

“We’re working hard to change the perception of the brand and to let people know Buick may not be what they think it is,” she said in a Web chat with journalists Monday.

The LaCrosse will begin arriving at dealerships at the end of this month, and V6 models will start at $27,835, including shipping charges. The V6s are versions of the same engines that appear in a range of GM vehicles, including the Cadillac CTS and SRX and the Chevrolet Camaro. Using variable valve timing and direct injection, the 3.6-liter unit makes 280 hp, while the 3.0-liter is rated at 255 hp for front-wheel-drive versions.

The four-banger is thought to be the first in a Buick since the 1998 Skylark. It’s from GM’s Ecotec family and makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. It’s an inline setup and employs direct injection; look for it to get an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The LaCrosse is a global blend of GM engineering and design resources. The interior, which features ice blue ambient lighting, Bluetooth connectivity and in-dash navigation, is a collaboration between American and Chinese designers. The platform was borrowed from the Opel Insignia, produced by GM’s European arm.

The chief competitor will be the Acura TL, while the Lincoln MKZ, the Lexus ES350, the Chrysler 300, the Toyota Avalon and the Ford Taurus also are expected to draw comparisons, officials said.

GM brass say they hope that the LaCrosse can continue the ongoing facelift for Buick and point to the path set by the Enclave. The median age of buyers of the handsome crossover is 12 years younger than the brand’s typical demographic, and Buick is planning a social-media component of its advertising to try to reach untraditional buyers in their 20s.

+ Auto China 2008: Buick Invicta Concept Debut
+ Top J.D. Power Reliability Study: Buick and Jaguar
+ 2008 Beijing Auto Show: Buick Invicta Sleek Car (Debut Pics)
+ 2009 Detroit Live: 2010 Lincoln MKT Luxury Sedan
+ 2010 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKS to Get EcoBoost Engine
+ 2010 Ford Taurus (SHO) Pricing Details
+ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO Road Test

“Today, many people perceive Buick as a great brand with good quality and a high level of craftsmanship,” Docherty said. “However, they see it as a brand that’s ‘not for me.’ What started with the Enclave in terms of changing perceptions needs to continue with the LaCrosse.”

Meanwhile, Buick officials remain mum on how the brand might be fleshed out, noting that the Regal that has shown up in some advertisements is a concept (though it’s on sale in China) and saying it is unlikely that the Pontiac G8 would be rebadged.

Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

Mercedes-Benz is once again going its separate way with the G-Class. Instead of modernising the visual appeal of the striking design icon and relaunching it with a new design, those in charge have left its indestructible, hallmark traits untouched since 1979.

At the same time, the consistent effort which Mercedes-Benz has put into the evolution of the “G” has helped safeguard its leading position.

In the most recent case, the “G” specialists have focused their attention on the interior and developed new seats. The ergonomically optimised front seats improve both comfort and lateral support, helping further bolster driver-fitness safety.

The new design has also modernised the rear seat bench, with modifications that echo the styling of the driver’s and front passenger’s seat. “G” customers can choose between black or grey fabric upholstery and leather appointments either in black, grey or chestnut.

Further added comfort comes courtesy of the new optional climatised multicontour seats. The line-up now also includes the exquisite designo leather upholstery in classic red or black as well as designo wood trim in black piano lacquer. Another highlight that will be available in early 2010 comes in the shape of the designo stone trim in Labrador blue pearl.

The standard specification now includes an Aux-in socket in the glove compartment and the familiar designer ignition key. As an option, indirect ambient interior lighting, a leather-trimmed dashboard, an extensive Chrome package as well as a media interface to connect an iPod, USBor Aux devices add to the feel-good factor on board.

New paintwork options are also available: “palladium silver metallic” or the “designo platinum magno” matt finish, which show off the striking body design of the “G” to particularly good effect, supplement the line-up for 2009. At the rear, the new models make a distinctive statement with a modified spare wheel cover with a three-dimensional Mercedes star.

Current model range: three body variants, three engines

The model family currently includes three body variants (short Station Wagon, long Station Wagon and Cabriolet), which can be combined either as the G 350 CDI (replaces the previous G 320 CDI with a new nomenclature) with the frugal V6 diesel engine or as the G 500 with a powerful 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine.

The top-of-the-line G 55 AMG – available solely as a four-door long Station Wagon – offers muscular performance, which, together with the incomparable vocals, underpins the character of this decidedly sporty version.

The G-Guard based on the G 500 long Station Wagon remains an important component in the model range. The fully armoured G-Class certified to bullet resistance level FB6 or FB7 provides protection against pistols/revolvers and long-barrelled weapons as well as against explosive charges of a defined size.

+ 2010 Mercedes GLK 350 SUV Road Test
+ 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic Reviews

The evergreen Mercedes-Benz off-roader provides a superior synthesis of high-performance drive and dynamic handling control systems.

The standard specification includes the electronic traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio.

On its 30th birthday: readers’ poll awards mount up

Readers of the “4Wheel Fun” off-road magazine named the “G” “2009 superstar” in its readers’ poll. The indefatigable off-roader came out on top in the same poll in 2007.

Following on from the success in 2003 and 2007, readers of “Motor Klassik” once again chose the Mercedes-Benz G-Class as “classic of the future” in 2009. For an incredible sixth time – after 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 – readers of “Off Road” have bestowed the title “off-roader of the year 2009″ on this automotive icon.

The G-Class boasts a long tradition of awards and accolades, reflected in the packed trophy cabinet. Readers of specialist magazine “auto motor und sport” have voted the G-Class the world’s best off-roader no less than 14 times.

In 1983, the Australian automotive magazine “bushdriver” named the “G” the best 4×4 off-roader of the year, undoubtedly rekindling memories of the Paris-Dakar victory that very same year.

In 1993, readers of the French “Magazine 4×4″ voted the G 350 TURBODIESEL the off-roader of the year. And in 1995, the readers of the specialist water-sports magazine “Boote” came to the conclusion that the G-Class is the best towing vehicle.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUV

Volkswagen dealers across the country say they can’t get enough of the Jetta TDI sedan or station wagon.

“Things have changed, and diesel Jettas are moving. I want more,” says Casey Gunther, owner of two VW stores in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

On Tuesday, June 16, the average nationwide price for a gallon of diesel was $2.60, according to AAA. That compared with $2.67 for regular unleaded gasoline and $2.94 for premium.

A year ago, when diesel hit $4.85 a gallon, European manufacturers wondered how they would sell their new crop of 50-state diesel vehicles, which began arriving last year. VW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW all sell 50-state diesels in the United States.

Volkswagen sold 3,862 diesel Jettas in May, up from 2,253 in April.

“We would expect equal or higher sales of diesels this month,” a VW spokesman says.

About 36 percent of total Jetta sales in May were diesels, compared with an average of 30 percent earlier in the year, the spokesman says.

Volkswagen says demand for the Jetta SportWagen is particularly strong.

Richard Fisher, whose Autobarn dealership group has three VW stores in the Chicago suburbs, says he has “pretty much run out” of TDI SportWagens.

Mercedes-Benz sold 8,242 diesel-powered M-class SUVs from January through May, or 16.5 percent of the total for the vehicle. For all of last year, the diesel version accounted for 13.7 percent of M-class sales.

Through May, diesels accounted for 21.8 percent (5,440) of Mercedes GL sales and 15.1 percent (1,312) of R-class sales, up from 13.7 percent for the GL and 10 percent for the R class in 2008.

The gist is that while most car companies are scrambling to develop electric drive technologies while keeping it affordable and profitable, they also have to work with governments who try to balance an even bigger picture, that of maintaining a healthy economy. Different countries tackle problems differently, which accounts for sales of certain vehicles doing better in certain places, and not as well elsewhere.

West Vs East.

Comparing how both the West reacts and how the East tackles things is always enlightening. Having fundamental different ways of approaching solutions, Asia and western countries meet challenges differently. For instance, the Honda Insight sales have outperformed expectations in Asia but have not done nearly as well in the U.S., according to Earth2Tech. Upon further research, it seems to point to the higher price of gas in Asia.

Back To Gas Price.

If gasoline is cheap in the U.S., it is not in Japan, nor is it in Europe where smaller fuel efficient car sales are still holding up. If Asia, Europe and the U.S. offer somewhat similar tax incentives for hybrids and pure electric vehicles, EV, the results vary according to the price of gas at the pump. The U.S. still has cheap gas which has not deterred consumers from gas guzzlers… at least for now.

Certain countries adopt radical solutions that may put them well ahead of the curve in the long run. Denmark taxes gas cars 180%, via the Denmark site, which is a sure deterrence. Sweden has cut its fossil fuel energy buy more than 50%, according to the Regeringen. Most of it comes from hydro and other alternative sources. Mostly, what we can witness is that countries where gas is highly taxed offer more fuel efficient cars, which is logical. What it should do is pause for reflection and consider why car makers in Asia and Europe are doing ever so somewhat better than we have in the U.S.. Maybe there is something to higher gas taxes, if it does in a controlled and intelligent way.

Until the U.S. coherently tackles the problem of cheap gasoline and continues strong incentives toward cleaner cars, the fuel efficient car sales will lag behind others which will hold it back in the long run. Thankfully, OPEC is working to raise the price of gas, helped by investors coming back into the speculative petroleum market.

TMP president Hiroshi Ito said the Toyota Prius was heavily taxed, so incentives could really help bring down the price from the current P2.2 million.

“We’re still discussing with the government. This vehicle is not under the incentives program. If there are incentives, then the price can go down,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Prius launch Friday evening.

He explained that more than 30 percent of the car’s price, or around P600,000, was composed of three layers of taxes: import duty, excise tax and value-added tax.

But with or without incentives, he said TMP was targeting to sell 100 units of the Prius this year.

So far, 30 units of the Prius were already in-country, he said. TMP had yet to start commercial selling of the hybrid vehicle.

The Toyota Prius runs on either or both gasoline and electricity via the company’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.

It has been selling in more than 40 countries worldwide, its biggest markets being the United States and Japan.

This third-generation Prius will be marketed in more than 80 countries worldwide to promote the use of hybrid vehicle technology.

In an earlier interview, TMP vice chair Alfred Ty said that in many of its markets, Prius buyers were treated to a host of incentives, including tax reductions, subsidies and even parking priorities, to stimulate the use of environment-friendly vehicles.

He said TMP could use similar incentives.

Meanwhile, Ito said TMP expected overall vehicle sales for the year to be about the same as in 2008, or 45,915 units.

The company closed 2008 with a market share of 36.9 percent.

As of end-May, TMP continued to hold the top spot in the local auto industry with sales reaching 17,080 units for a 34.9-percent share of the market.

All 2010 Ford Taurus models are powered by a Duratec 3.5L V6 engine that produces 263-hp with a maximum torque of 249 lb-ft. The base level Taurus SE model will come with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission with prices starting at $25,170 (excluding taxes and registration fees).

The 2010 Ford Taurus SEL and Limited models offer SelectShiftAutomatic with shift control paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Prices for the Taurus SEL and Limited models start at $27,170 and $31,710 respectively. All-wheel-drive is available as an option.

Ford says that the advanced twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.5L V6 will also be available on the Taurus at a later date.

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, powered by a 3.5L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 making 365-hp and a peak torque of 350 lb-ft, starts at $37,170. The engine is mated to 6-speed 6F55 SelectShift transmission (with paddle-shifters) with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system.

The Taurus SHO also takes full advantage of a multi-link SR1 rear suspension design which enhances driver control. EPA-estimated fuel-economy comes in at 17/25 mpg (city/highway).

Well, that’s it for the pricing details. You can check out the full list of options after the jump.

+ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO Road Test
+ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO Official Debut
+ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO Preview for Chicago 2009
+ 2009 Detroit Live: 2010 Ford Taurus

2010 Ford Taurus Standard and Optional Features:

Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to set the vehiclecruising speed while using radar technology to monitor traffic travelling up to 600 feet ahead, automatically adjusting Taurus speed to help maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

Collision Warning with Brake Support is a new active safety feature, enabled by Adaptive Cruise Control. This system uses a radar sensor to detect moving vehicles ahead and provides a visual “heads-up” warning signal transmitted across the base of the windshield and an audible warning when slower moving traffic is detected ahead. The system also pre-charges the brakes and engages an electronic brake assist to help the driver stop more quickly.

Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start, a new Taurus feature, allows the driver to enter the car and start the engine by simply carrying the fob as they approach and enter the vehicle.

SecuriCodeTM Keyless Entry Keypad enables vehicle access by unlocking the driver’s door using a five-digit code on the new keypad system flush-mounted in the driver’s side B-pillar.

MyKeyTM allows parents or fleet administrators to activate a restricted driving mode. When enabled, MyKey features a Persistent Belt-Minder® with Audio Mute until safety belts are buckled, an earlier low-fuel warning, and consistently engaged AdvanceTrac® stability control, Blind Spot monitoring, Cross Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Warning. Additional programmability includes restrictions on audio volume, limiting top speed to 80 mph and speed chime warnings at 45, 55, or 65mph.

Auto High Beams/Rain-Sensing Wipers harness sensor technologies to switch headlights to high intensity when no other vehicles are detected, in a range of up to 500 feet for taillight detection, and up to 2,000 feet for oncoming headlight detection. Rain-sensing wipers use an advanced optical sensor to detect the intensity of rain and/or snowfall to adjust wiper speed.

Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler System is an industry-exclusive feature that self-seals without a traditional fuel cap.

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) consists of two multiple beam radar modules, one each per rear quarter panel. When an approaching vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone, an indicator alert provides warning to the driver in the corresponding side view mirror.

Cross Traffic Alert uses the existing BLIS radar modules to sense oncoming traffic when slowly backing out of a parking spot. This industry-exclusive system functions only while the vehicle is in reverse and warns when cross-traffic appears within three car widths.

Ford SYNC® is the fully integrated, in-vehicle voice-activated communications and entertainment system, with 911 AssistTM, Vehicle Health Report and GPS-based features including business search and call completion. SYNC connects to MP3 players, iPods, memory sticks and PDAs. SYNC’s 911 Assist will place a call to a local emergency operator in the event of an air bag deployment incident. The latest version of SYNC adds Traffic, Directions and Information, providing turn-by-turn route guidance, and the ability to access content by personalized favorites such as region, subject matter or sports team.

Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS® Travel LinkTM uses an 8-inch screen to present a birds-eye-view map with 3D landmarks. The system responds to voice commands for destination programming and route selection. In addition, it provides enhanced route guidance features such as street name announcements and detailed freeway exit, turn and ramp position lane guidance. The screen can be personalized with up to 32 pictures, sized up to 1.5 MB each. The system also incorporates the SIRIUS Travel Link, offering availability of current weather and ski conditions, a five-day forecast, local fuel pricing by cost per gallon and brand, sports scores and movie listings.

Sony® Audio components deliver sound from a variety of sources, with an AM-FM tuner, SIRIUS Satellite radio, CD, DVD audio and an integrated 10 GB hard drive for storage of up to 2,400 songs. This package also includes an available 12-speaker premium audio system.

Multi-Contour Seats with Active MotionTM are available – on an industry-exclusive basis – for driver and passenger, integrating a six-way lumbar support and subtle rolling pattern massage. The bottom cushion features Active Motion technology, providing minute but continuous movement, stirring a change of muscular activation helping a driver avoid back pain.

Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE®) Architecture is comprised of a hydroformed cross-car beam embedded in the floor between the door frames, providing additional strength in the side of the vehicle. In the event of a side impact, the beam helps pert crash forces away from the occupants. A strong roof cross member and side impact door beams work with the floor-mounted tube to further improve side impact protection.

Personal Safety SystemTM is designed to reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front seat passenger in the event of a moderate to severe frontal collision. Sensors note right front occupant weight, safety belt usage, outboard seat belt tension and seating position to optimize air bag deployment force for occupant safety.

AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control predicts the vehicle’s intended path, using sensors to detect and measure oversteer and yaw, while continuously monitoring vehicle speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses a loss of wheel traction, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied in conjunction with the standard Anti-lock Braking (ABS) system. The system also incorporates traction control to aid drivers when operating the vehicle on loose or slippery surfaces.

SOS Post-Crash Alert SystemTM is an integrated technology that automatically unlocks the doors and activates the emergency flashers in the event of an air bag deployment.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO