BOSTON, Nov. 29,2007 -- Ford Motor Company carries plenty of hometown momentum into the 51st Annual New England Auto Show by winning an award from New England journalists and debuting a race truck for Boston-based Roush Fenway Racing.

On the product front, Ford showcases two all-new innovative models -- the 2009 Ford Flex people mover and 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan -- helping it sustain the turnaround momentum at the company, in addition to a top technical innovation with the Ford SYNC system.

Taurus earned Ford its second consecutive NEMPA Family Car honor after the Ford Fusion won the prize in 2006. The Taurus was cited by the journalist's jury for its value, safety features, improved horsepower and driving dynamics that make it an ideal choice for buyers in the four-door family sedan segment.

"With the new 263 horsepower engine, six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive, the Taurus presents itself as a legitimate competitor to cars that cost not just thousands more, but tens of thousands more," says NEMPA President Ezra Dyer.

"A lot of cars scream to the world that you have a lot of money (or at least, a lot of debt). The Taurus is great because the only thing is says about your bank account is that you choose to spend it wisely."

Ford SYNC, developed on the Microsoft Auto software platform, is launching right now in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. It's an advanced software platform providing consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players -- Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes, and other MP3 players -- and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their cars and operate the devices via voice commands. Simply put, with SYNC, consumers are able to use their voice to command their digital media players and Bluetooth mobile phones.

The Lincoln MKS is a full-size luxury sedan with a 3.7-liter V6 engine and all-wheel-drive aimed at bringing new and younger buyers into the Lincoln fold, especially those under 50 who value beautiful modern design, more fuel efficiency and good value. MKS will offer Ford's new gasoline turbo direct injection engine technology -- which provides the power and torque of a V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6 -- less than a year after launch.

Lincoln is re-establishing itself as a design leader with award-winning products like the Lincoln MKZ, MKX and Navigator," says Andrew Frick, Boston regional sales manager. "With the Lincoln MKS, which arrives in dealer showrooms next summer, we're delivering unparalleled amenities and performance at a $38,000 price that should luxury buyers will find irresistible."

With the 2009 Ford Flex, the company redefines modern American travel in a full-size crossover that sets a new standard for style, features, functionality and comfort in the U.S. industry's hottest segment.

"The new Ford Flex crossover is a game-changer," says Frick. "It's the first vehicle of its kind that combines seating for seven, interior spaciousness and surprising features with a striking design."

Flex's feature content includes a class-exclusive refrigerator, second-row footrests, Ford SYNC, capless fueling, a 2,300-song personal juke box, programmable ambient interior "mood lighting" and a Multi-Panel Vista RoofTM among its many customer-inspired innovations. The Flex will arrive in the summer of 2008.

Source : http://www.ford.com/dynamic/metatags/article-detail/taurus-family-car