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Ford Flex

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For the alternative fuel vehicle, see Flexible-fuel vehicle.
Ford Flex
2010 Ford Flex Limited
Overview
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
ProductionJune 3, 2008–present[1]
Model years2009–present
AssemblyOakville, Ontario, Canada
DesignerPeter Horbury[2]
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size crossover
Body style5-door station wagon
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
PlatformFord D4 platform
RelatedFord Taurus
Ford Taurus X
Mercury Sable
Lincoln MKS
Lincoln MKT
Powertrain
Engine3.5 L Duratec V6
3.5 L EcoBoost V6
Transmission6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase117.9 in (299 cm)
Length201.8 in (513 cm)
Width80.1 in (203 cm)
Height68 in (170 cm)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Freestar
Ford Flex rear

The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Its styling is based on the Ford Fairlane concept unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The production vehicle made its debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.[3] Sales of the Flex began in summer of 2008 as a 2009 model.[4][5] The Flex is produced on the same assembly line as the Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers at the Oakville Assembly Plant in Oakville, Ontario, where the first Flex was driven off the line at the beginning of June 2008.[1] It replaced the Ford Freestar minivan and therefore is the first crossover to feature both minivan and SUV properties delivered by Ford. The Flex is only sold in the United States, Canada and in the Middle East.

Features

Interior

The 2009 Ford Flex includes seven-passenger seating, including adjustable and removable footrests for second-row passengers. The second and third row seats fold flat into the floor. The vehicle includes a class-exclusive optional interior "mini-fridge" refrigerator in the middle console mounted between the second-row seats. A voice-activated communications and entertainment system, called Ford Sync, integrates the functions of cell phones, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, compact disc, DVD and other media players, navigation systems, and was developed in collaboration with Microsoft. The interior is lit with programmable "mood lighting" available in seven colors, along with a multi-panel Vista Roof, similar to that on the Ford Edge, for skylighting. The Navigation system has a built in hard drive for music and picture storage.[6]

Exterior

The Flex continues Ford's signature chrome horizontal three-bar grille design, as seen on the Edge, Taurus X, Fusion, and 2008 Taurus. The windows and pillars appear blacked out, and the roof is available as white, silver, or the same color as the rest of the body. The SEL and Limited models offer LED tail lamps and BiXenon headlamps, and a "capless" fueling system without the traditional fuel door and cap, which provides better sealing to reduce evaporative emissions from the fuel tank.[7] The standard wheels are 18-inch (460 mm) diameter, with 19- and 20-inch (480 and 510 mm) versions available.

Safety and security

An optional back-up camera, mounted just above the bumper, allows the driver to see obstructions behind the vehicle, displayed on the 8-inch (200 mm) navigation display screen, whenever reverse gear is engaged.[1] The Flex comes with Ford's AdvanceTrac traction control system with roll stability control which helps the driver maintain control on low traction surfaces and during emergency maneuvers. All-wheel-drive is available as an option.

Powertrain

The Ford Flex is powered by two different V-6 engines.

The Flex's Template:Auto Lrev V6 engine produces 262 hp (195 kW) and 248 lb⋅ft (336 N⋅m), and is paired with the 6-speed 6F automatic transmission.

A direct-injected twin-turbocharged EcoBoost version is available for the 2010 model.[8] The EcoBoost produces 355 hp (265 kW) and 350 lb⋅ft (470 N⋅m) of torque. AWD is required with the EcoBoost engine option. Towing capacity is 4,500 lb (2,000 kg). The all-wheel drive system is capable of transferring up to 100% of torque to the front or rear axle as needed.

Chassis

The Flex includes an independent rear suspension system. It is built on the Ford D4 platform, a reengineered and enlarged version of the Ford D3 platform which underpins the 2005-2007 Five Hundred/Freestyle, 2008-2009 Taurus/Taurus X, 2009 Lincoln MKS and 2010 Ford Taurus. This chassis was in turn based on the Volvo P2 platform.

Active Park Assist

Offered on the Flex is Ford's Active Park Assist system, which finds and measures a suitable parking space, then operates the steering wheel to accomplish the parallel parking task. This feature uses software control of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system in response to inputs provided by ultrasonic sensors. A competing camera-based system from Lexus takes three times as long.[9]

Marketing

As part of the 'electrifying the night' campaign, Ford partnered with Esquire Magazine in the magazine's first issue with a cover using E Ink technology.[10]

Reception

The Flex has not been as successful as originally expected, with sales of half the target of 100,000 vehicles that Ford had expected to sell each year. Some attribute the lower than expected sales to its polarizing styling and its high price, especially as it was launched in the middle of a severe recession.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c "New Ford Flex rolls off line at Oakville Assembly". Media.Ford.com. June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
  2. ^ Kelly, Kevin M (June 2008). "Richard Gresens: from trains, planes and … vacuum cleaners: the designer of the Ford Flex finds influence in some unexpected places". Automotive Design & Production. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
  3. ^ "The Ford Flex, a.k.a. Fairlane, to debut in New York". 2007-03-24. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  4. ^ "2007 New York Auto Show Preview: Production Version of Ford Fairlane To Be Christened "Flex"". 2007-03-26. Retrieved 2007-03-26.
  5. ^ Greenwood dealership sells first Ford Flex in the nation.
  6. ^ "2009 Ford Flex Review". Automoblog.net.
  7. ^ "2009 Ford Flex Overview". FordFlex.net.
  8. ^ Neff, Natalie (August 24, 2009). "Flexitarian". AutoWeek. 59 (17). Detroit, Michigan: Crain Communications Inc.: 24. ISSN 0192-9674.
  9. ^ "Auto Tech » Auto Tech: Ford's new Active Park Assist system". CanadianDriver. 2009-07-29. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  10. ^ Ford Flex Partners With Esquire and E Ink to Present First-Ever Digital Magazine Cover
  11. ^ Canada. "Deals of the week: Ford Flex, Mazda RX-8 and more". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
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