Detroit Auto Show Top 5

The 2010 Ford Taurus is making almost as much news for how it was designed as for the design itself. From Ford's Global Product Development System, which enables design teams on different continents to work virtually around the clock, the new Taurus was delivered a full year ahead of schedule. And in today's dog-eat-dog environment with increasingly compressed design-to-production cycles, that bodes well for Ford's ability to compete with nimble rivals.

The product this accelerated process delivered is equally impressive. An athletic new body envelops a full-sized sedan featuring a standard Duratec V6 rated at 263 hp paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions, including steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts on the SEL and Limited models. Also available are adaptive cruise control, iPod and MP3 plug-ins, collision warning with brake support, rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry and, coming soon, Ford’s advanced Eco-Boost™ 3.5 liter V-6.

With a base price of $25,995, this is a Taurus ready to lock horns with the world's best sedans.