Spy Shots: Ford Flex out and about
The Ford Flex is an important vehicle for ford, as it is basically the automaker's replacement for its dead (and not missed) minivans. Absent the Flex, which doesn't arrive until MY2009, the only 7-passenger vehicles the Oval offers are the fuel-thirsty Expedition, the slow-selling Explorer, and the lame-duck Freestyle, which gets reincarnated as the Taurus X later this year.Popular Mechanics was able to get some shots of the Flex while it was testing on public roads. Since the car is a known commodity, having been shown in new York last month, the prototype seen here is refreshingly devoid of the bras and cladding most development mules wear in public. Ford does the bare minimum, giving it black bumpers and a white Gilette grille, but it's all production bodywork.
Looking over the spy shots reminds us just how big the Flex is. It's as long as a Tahoe, and its lower stance seems to exaggerate the length when viewed in profile. Of course, that size is what's supposed to make it such a comfortable way to haul you, a bunch of friends, and a fair amount of stuff, too. Hopefully, the 3.5L V6 is up to the task, because while its perfectly good in the smaller Edge and Lincoln MKX, we wonder how spunky it'll be pulling around the sizeable Flex. Time will tell -- and there's time enough between now and when the big crossover arrives in showrooms for Ford to make sure everything's as it needs to be to make it successful.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ben 10:14AM (5/10/2007)
Oh look! The new Ford MINI. :D
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Avinash machado 10:21AM (5/10/2007)
I think they should rename it the Fairlane. Flex sounds a bit odd even though the Flex is supposed to be flexible.
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bmoredlj 10:37AM (5/10/2007)
The Flex is too huge (especially in polar white) for me to mistake for any xB or Mini. But overall I like the fresh design.
I'm intrigued that while GM has gone chunky and tall with its big Lambda CUVs, The Flex, while just as long, looks much shorter and lower to the ground. We'll see which strategy sells better, high or low.
By using the same 260-hp engine from the Edge in a larger, heavier wagon, Ford risks repeating the mistake of under-powering the Freestyle/Five Hundred and getting sluggish sales (of otherwise okay vehicles) in return.
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Dinosaurus 10:45AM (5/10/2007)
I passed one of these on 94 as I was dropping my GMa off at Detroit Metro. It was rather impressive looking on the road, looked very large. Not sure I liked it though.
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mr.ed 10:57AM (5/10/2007)
Guaranteed that it will be at least 500# heavier than it should/could be.
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rv 10:59AM (5/10/2007)
Edge, Fusion and Flex. Who is naming these things? All names that will die in under a decade. Just bring back the Probe next and the circle will be complete. And whats with the cheap looking chrome wheels. They look ridiculous on Caddies, no better here...
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andrew 11:09AM (5/10/2007)
So whats going on with the Lincoln version? They talked about it even before the production Flex was at the auto show, and now the Flex is ready for production and there hasn't been a word about a variant.
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Infinihertz 11:30AM (5/10/2007)
#7 AFAIK the Lincoln one will launch at the same time - Ford just isn't showing it yet, and that's probably a good thing. I'm surprised they demoed the Flex so early as it is. It won't be here for what? 12-14 months?
As far as the engine goes, I'm not basing this on anything, but maybe it'll get the 3.7L V6 that the MKS will have?
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Robert Aitchison 12:01AM (5/11/2007)
Now if they only put a Hybrid power train into it, or even juts figure out another way to push it's EPA city mileage over 30MPG they will have a winner. Of course we all know how likely that is.
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John P. 12:02PM (5/10/2007)
the spy photo looks like crap, but the show car actually looks like something that will sell. I'll be on the lot the day they come in for a look.
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Herb 12:54PM (5/10/2007)
The flex will use the same 3.5L engine found in the edge (265-hp) but what people forget is that ford can get well over 300-hp from that same engine so I think people should wait for ford to put out the numbers before saying anything (my guess around the acadia numbers..flex 280hp and lincoln 300hp with 3.7)
As for Lincoln vehicles I think theyre moving up to 3.7L... MKZ gets the 3.7L then the fusion/milan should get the 3.5L (3.7 MKX/3.5 edge, 3.7 MKS/3.5 Taurus)
Send the freestyle/taurus x over to mercury and now all 3 brands have a 7-pass cuv
How about a 3.0 option on the focus??
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ClutchCargo 1:33PM (5/10/2007)
You mean you didn't order the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in metallic pea?
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Don A 1:42PM (5/10/2007)
The Flex will be no more than 100 lbs heavier than the Edge. The plant conveyor system is the limiting factor.
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felipe 1:45PM (5/10/2007)
so much for hope....
all the coool is gone.
now it looks soo long...
like a retarded volvo wagon.
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?? 9:57AM (7/06/2007)
this car is awesome how can u say tht?
felipe 10:12AM (7/06/2007)
just like Ford, you are behind the times.
this was almost a month ago.
this is an 'awesome' example of how Ford has ruined a concept that enthusiasts knew would never come true.
it lost its 'stand-out'ness. now it looks like an old Boronco.
"It will have suicide doors"..
"nevermind we put in extra map liights and cup holder for everyone."
It lost its sportiness it jazz. the things that some EU and Asia manf. have in there cars....cause they LISTEN to consumers.
No worries it fills the gap of/lack of a mini van for ford well. soccer moms and espiring dj's will love it. as long as it doesnt have enough recalls/problems to fill the glove box it should sell.
Big Mike Wood 2:16PM (5/10/2007)
Looks like Scion decided to build a Hearse. I really appreciate Ford trying but this ain't the winner they're looking for. Yea, it's cool in a weird way, but weird don't sell.
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dave 3:56PM (5/10/2007)
Look @_@, BMW Mini got knocked up by the Scion xB!...or was it the Range Rover?
Damn
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epilonious 6:18PM (5/10/2007)
I remember the good old days... when the Ford Aerostar came with a 100 HP 2.3L ... and a 115 HP 2.8L V6...
Then, it got MASSIVELY upgraded with it's 145 HP 3.0L V6 and the 155HP 4.0L V6. My friend had the lowly 3.0L and it still had enough power to tow a sailboat. Through the mountains.
Now, everyone is whining about how the 203 HP freestyle "didn't feel powerful enough" and how they hope that there isn't JUST 260HP in the Edge.
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BOB 7:46PM (5/10/2007)
I can see comparing it to the Edge -- but remember it is a close cousin of the Freestyle (now to be Taurus X) and would seem likely to be built along with its platform mates. It will be 17 inches longer that the Edge (a car that looks substantial on the road, not small.)
The comparisons should be to the Acadia, Outlook, and Enclave, which are all this size. Basically, all are cut-down, front-drive alternatives to the Tahoe and Expedtition. For the use 80% of drivers give them, they are better than the trucks.
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