Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2009's most collectible vehicle is... the Ford Flex?!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/2009s-most-collectible-vehicle-is-the-ford-flex/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/2009s-most-collectible-vehicle-is-the-ford-flex/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/2009s-most-collectible-vehicle-is-the-ford-flex/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) has named the 2010 Ford Flex its most collectible vehicle of 2009, beating out seven other vehicles shortlisted for the award. The Flex is the 11th vehicle to receive the award, given by members overseeing the "world-famous" automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library. Members say the Flex won because it was the most likely vehicle to turn heads at the 2034 Woodward Dream Cruise.

The Flex does have some interesting styling cues and the EcoBoost model is sold in relatively low volumes which could make it the Woody of its generation, but even still, we're not entirely sold on its collectibility. We're actually quite fond of the Flex but we just don't see anyone collecting Ford's boxy crossover any time soon (or in the future, either). For starters, this author hopes crossovers don't become collectibles. Something about a people hauler being put on display for all to see and admire seems wrong - just don't tell Chevrolet Nomad collectors.

Then there is the fact that most of the early models that were named "Most Collectible" are now considered to be very average transportation at best and flat out junk at worst. For example, the Oldsmobile Aurora and the Buick Riviera were co-winners in 1995 followed by the Chrysler Sebring Convertible in 1996. Yuck. The award then went on hiatus until 2002 when the retro-riffic but short-lived Ford Thunderbird was predictably chosen. More recent winners have been a bit more respectable though, with the Dodge Challenger and Viper making the list along with the 2005 Ford Mustang. The Chrysler 300 and Pontiac Solstice have also made it to the podium. We get that this is a reward given out in Detroit with virtually no chance of a foreign nameplate ever winning, but we can think of plenty of domestics that seem more deserving. How about the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Cadillac CTS-V or Shelby GT500? Or the 2010 Camaro? Hit the jump for Ford's official press release, and then feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in Comments.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford Flex


Photos by Dan Roth / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2009's most collectible vehicle is... the Ford Flex?!

2009's most collectible vehicle is... the Ford Flex?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford flex2010FordFlexblue ovalBlueOvalclassic carClassicCarcollectiblecollectible vehicle of the yearCollectibleVehicleOfTheYearflexfordford flexFordFlexmost collectibleMostCollectibleNAHCNational Automotive History CollectionNational Automotive History Collection NAHCNationalAutomotiveHistoryCollectionNationalAutomotiveHistoryCollectionNahcTue, 15 Dec 2009 13:21:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19281706/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/15/2009s-most-collectible-vehicle-is-the-ford-flex/19281706/article-detail.xml 19281706 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/flexecoboostreview_13_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/flexecoboostreview_13_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/inside-line-editors-pick-their-most-wanted-do-you-agree/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/inside-line-editors-pick-their-most-wanted-do-you-agree/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/inside-line-editors-pick-their-most-wanted-do-you-agree/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Inside Line Most Wanted 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We love award season, even if it is a bit tough to keep up with them all. Motor Trend has a set of golden calipers for its Car, Truck and SUV of the Year winners. Car and Driver has its 10Best. Automobile has the, well, the Automobile of the Year. Then there's Edmunds Inside Line and its six Most Wanted winners. Sure, Most Wanted doesn't enjoy the same sort of name recognition as the aforementioned awards, but at the very least, we tend to like the vehicles IL picks as their favorites. We also appreciate the fact that their selection process isn't exactly chock-full of rules. If they tested the vehicle before November 1, 2009, then it's eligible for Inside Line's six shooter. The only award category that truly stands out is the "Instant Classic," an award won over the last two years by the Audi R8 and the Nissan GT-R, respectively.

This year's list didn't have quite the raw power of last year's winners, but we can definitely see where the final six could be considered big fun on four wheels. The big winner is the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The 540-horsepower pony car picked up IL's Instant Classic award for being such a willing dance partner - even at 3,900 pounds. In fact, Blue Oval badges dominate this year's Most Wanted list, as the EcoBoost'd Flex and the wicked cool F-150 SVT Raptor made the final cut. Porsche scored with its new Panamera, while Audi found its way back on the list with the R8 V10. The cheap thrills Mazda3 rounds out this year's list. Click on the gallery below to check out Inside Line's Most Wanted winners in our high-res gallery, then let us know if you agree with their findings by leaving a note in 'Comments.'


Gallery: Inside Line Most Wanted 2009


[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Audi R8 V102010 Ford F-150 Raptor2010 Ford F-150 SVT raptor2010 Ford Flex2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT5002010 Porsche Panamera2010AudiR8V102010FordF-150Raptor2010FordF-150SvtRaptor2010FordFlex2010FordMustangShelbyGt5002010PorschePanameraaudi R8audi r8 v10AudiR8AudiR8V10ecoboostEdmundsflex ecoboostFlexEcoboostford flexford raptorFord ustangFordFlexFordRaptorFordUstanginside lineInsideLinemazda 3mazda3most wantedMostWantedMustang GT500MustangGt500panameraporsche panameraPorschePanameraRaptorSVTThu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19262827/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/03/inside-line-editors-pick-their-most-wanted-do-you-agree/19262827/article-detail.xml 19262827 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/ot_120109_717_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/ot_120109_717_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford EcoBoost Engines see high take rate, customers see higher transaction prices]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/ford-ecoboost-engines-see-high-take-rate-customers-see-higher-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/ford-ecoboost-engines-see-high-take-rate-customers-see-higher-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/ford-ecoboost-engines-see-high-take-rate-customers-see-higher-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Lincoln MKT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has been pushing its EcoBoost engines hard since they came out of the gate, with almost as many commercials touting its twin-turbo technology as we've seen all other Blue Oval spots combined. And all that marketing mojo appears to be paying off, as the Ford Motor Company has told The Detroit News that EcoBoost has really taken off on the showroom floor.

Ford just started offering EcoBoost in July, but the early returns show that customers are very interested in Ford's promise of V8 performance with V6 fuel economy. Lincoln MKS sales have been 30 percent EcoBoost, while the Taurus SHO is currently accounting for 20 percent off all sales of Ford's new large sedan. The MKT has only been on the market for a month, but early returns show that over 40 percent of customers want 355 horsepower in their giant crossover. The Ford Flex is seeing a 13 percent EcoBoost take rate, nearly double the expected 8 percent figure.

In fact, Ford says all four EcoBoost-equipped vehicles are exceeding expectations to date, and the engine tech also appears to be bringing in conquest customers at an accelerated rate. For example, an impressive 44 percent of Taurus buyers come from another OEM, while the number jumps to 54 percent with the EcoBoost-equipped Taurus SHO. The MKT has a similar 10 percent conquest boost courtesy of turbo power. And those conquest wins at the dealership also add to Ford's bottom line, as EcoBoost-equipped vehicles carry a $5,000 to $10,000 MSRP bump versus their naturally aspirated counterparts.

While the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine looks like an early success, the real turbo test comes when other, higher volume EcoBoost engines hit the market. Some future boosted Ford engines will come in 2.0-liter and 1.6-liter displacements, and the DetNews is reporting that a much smaller, 1.0-liter three-cylinder version is on the way for applications like the new Fiesta and Focus. Engines as small as 1.0-liter are sure to be an efficiency boon for the Blue Oval, with potential paybacks in the high 40 MPG range in the EPA highway cycle.

The next vehicles to receive EcoBoost will reportedly be the F-150 and Ford Explorer toward the end of next year. Ford is hoping to push the engine tech on 90 percent of its models within the next few years, with up to 1.3M global EcoBoost sales.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford EcoBoost Engines see high take rate, customers see higher transaction prices originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford flex2010 taurus sho2010FordFlex2010TaurusShodirect-injectionecoboostecoboost salesEcoboostSalesford taurusFordTauruslincoln mkslincoln mktLincolnMksLincolnMktturboturbochargingtwin-turboFri, 13 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19236243/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/13/ford-ecoboost-engines-see-high-take-rate-customers-see-higher-t/19236243/article-detail.xml 19236243 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/lincolnmktecoboostfd_01_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/lincolnmktecoboostfd_01_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost turns it up to 11]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost - Click above for high-res image gallery

We were headed on a road trip, because that's what you do when the summer draws to a close and something as gigantic as the Ford Flex rolls into your driveway. Destination: Brooklyn. Five miles into the journey, the Sony audio system belts out the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn," and the two sub-five-year-olds in tow agree. But we had an ace up our sleeve: our Flex SEL tester was packing a six-shooter augmented by Ford's EcoBoost turbo system, good for another 100 horsepower over the standard model. If the trip was going to be hellish, at least it would be short.

There's newfound muscle to... flex.
There's a price premium to pay for the heavy breathing, but even at $40,000 as-tested, the kitted out Flex stickered for less than expected, and mitigating drawbacks seems to be a running theme with the EcoBoosted Flex. Its EPA estimated fuel economy in all-wheel drive trim of 17/24 16/22 mpg city/highway, is exactly the same as the unboosted Duratec 3.5-liter, but there's newfound muscle to... flex. A turbocharged engine immediately makes thoughts of premium fuel dance through your head, but nope, the direct-injected V6 is happy to perform tricks on regular, though Ford recommends you run higher octane for maximum performance.

In search of some kind of glaring downfall, we kept the Flex EcoBoost for a while, trying to suss out what penalties you might ultimately pay for the added brawn. Follow the jump to see how the big Ford fared.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost


Photos copyright (C)2009 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost turns it up to 11

Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost turns it up to 11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford flex2010 ford flex ecoboost2010FordFlex2010FordFlexEcoboostecoboostecoboost flexEcoboostFlexfeaturedflexflex ecoboostFlexEcoboostfordford ecoboostford flexFordEcoboostFordFlexin the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragereviewreviewedreviewsMon, 12 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19192260/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/12/2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-review/19192260/article-detail.xml 19192260 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/flexecoboostreview_13_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/flexecoboostreview_13_opt.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost delivers more than just a better engine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/first-drive-2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-delivers-more-than-just-a-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/first-drive-2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-delivers-more-than-just-a-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/first-drive-2010-ford-flex-ecoboost-delivers-more-than-just-a-b/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just a year after the Ford Flex first appeared, the Blue Oval has revamped its lineup in ways that make the 2010 model quite different from its forebearer. First among the changes is the Blue Oval's EcoBoost engine, which packs 3.5 liters of displacement and a duo of turbochargers to produce V8 power with V6 fuel economy. Autoblog went to the Colorado hinterlands to spend some with with the Flex and its new powerplant, and as we found out, there's more to Ford's boxy crossover than boosted performance and fuel economy.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jonathon R. Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost delivers more than just a better engine

First Drive: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost delivers more than just a better engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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