Well, we can say that for a 4800-pound family vehicle in which you can get a second-row refrigerator—how’s that for a niche?—the twin-turbo Flex is seriously quick. With the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 sending 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque through the standard six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system, our SEL tester hustled to 60 mph in six seconds flat, covered the quarter-mile in 14.6 at 96 mph, and reached a governed top speed of 123 mph. That’s nearly two seconds quicker to 60 mph and through the quarter than the last Flex we tested with all-wheel drive and the base V-6. Turbo lag is virtually nil, shifts are smooth albeit a little slow, and the exhaust note sounds about the same as that of the naturally aspirated version, so you get a big bump in speed without the boy-racer behavior you might expect from forced induction. The EcoBoost engine still swills regular unleaded, too.

Turbo models also sport a retuned suspension with stiffer springs, revised dampers, and a slightly lower ride height (by 0.4 inch), although all that didn’t really add up to a notable improvement in skid pad grip, which was 0.81 g versus 0.80 g without the revisions. But the changes, combined with optional 20-inch wheels wearing 255-series Goodyear Eagle RS-As, do help the big Flex feel more sure-footed and planted than before. The transmission’s manual mode and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters make the drive somewhat more involving when the road gets curvy. However, the Flex still doesn’t feel as dynamic in the twisties as did our long-term Mazda CX9 which remains one of our favorite large, three-row crossovers.

Inside, the manumatic detent in the shift gate and those paddles are the only cues that differentiate EcoBoost models, which mean the search for more power hasn’t harmed the Flex’s expansive three-row cabin and impressive fit and finish. The wide, pillowy front seats rival La-Z-Boys for backside soothing, and driver comfort is further improved for 2010 by the addition of a telescoping function to the tilting steering column. Although our tester lacked the optional second-row captain’s chairs ($650) and console-mounted fridge ($795, Limited models only), there was enough room in the middle row with the three-across bench to erect a jungle gym. Third-row access and comfort are among the best in the segment, but low seatbacks make the space best suited for children or shorter adults. More than 80 cubic feet of cargo space and a flat load floor are available with both rows collapsed, but have patience with the power liftgate, which takes too long to open or close and fights you when you want to open it manually.

Exterior revisions are limited to a small EcoBoost badge on the hatch and exhaust finishers located on each side of the rear fascia. Otherwise, the Mini-Cooper-that-swallowed-a-school-bus styling remains intact, and it’s still refreshingly original in the sea of frumpy minivans and soulless crossovers.

The Ford Flex was built to compete successfully against the GM quartet of CUVs: Acadia, Enclave, Outlook and Traverse, plus the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and the Chrysler and Dodge minivans, among others.

The Flex was designed to look like nothing else on the road. It has square corners, four conventional doors, a rear hatch, a long, flat hood and the now-familiar Ford three-bar horizontal grille. But it also has an all-black greenhouse regardless of paint or roof color, and it has a decidedly low-slung stance, just the opposite of most SUVs. For such a long, wide vehicle, it has a drag coefficient of only 0.33, a very good number for its size.

The Flex is the only vehicle of its type that incorporates its rocker panels as part of the sheet metal of the doors, folding under to the chassis. The Ford designers said it makes the car look longer and lower than it is, and makes it easier to get in and out without getting dirt on your pants.

The Flex is built on a 118-inch wheelbase version of the same chassis that goes under the Taurus, Sable and Taurus X, and that extra length gives it what Ford says is the largest interior in its class at just under 176 cubic feet. The EPA says it has 155.8 cubic feet of passenger space, 20 cubic feet of space behind the third row seats, 43.2 cubic feet with the third row seats folded down, and 83.2 cubic feet with the second and third row seats folded down. Every seat in the Flex but the driver’s seat seats, including the front passenger seat, folds down flat, which means you can carry cargoes up to 119 inches long inside.

For the Flex, Ford lengthened the body structure it shares two inches with the wheelbase being stretched a full five inches. The entire five inches of additional length are added to the second row for easy entry and exit and lots of legroom for the second-row passengers. The B-pillar was moved back for easy ingress/egress, and Ford says there is 44 inches of legroom in a Flex, with seven inches of knee clearance.

The engine in the Ford Flex is a 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 engine that’s in all the other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles on this platform, slightly detuned to 262 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 248 foot-pounds of torque at 4500 rpm.

The 6-speed automatic transmission is the only available choice and the customer can choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. The optional Haldex all-wheel-drive system can deliver up to 100 percent of engine torque to the front or rear tires, and can adjust torque side-to-side to match traction conditions. The Haldex drive system adds 111 pounds to the front-wheel-drive version’s 4529 pounds for a total of 4640 pounds. The front-drive Flex will be rated at 17 mpg city and 24 highway, the all-wheel-drive version at 16 mpg city and 22 highway.

The Flex pricing starts at the SE trim level of $28,895, with the mid-level SEL model at $32,970 and the Limited model at $35,405, in FWD or AWD, in six- or seven-seater interior configurations. The price for the all-wheel-drive option, available on SEL and Limited models only, is $1850.

Standard equipment on all models includes Roll Stability Control, traction control, all the normal power assists, reverse sensing, rear air-conditioning, 18-inch wheels and tires, Ford’s cap-less fueling system, and fog lamps. Both 19-inch and 20-inch tires and wheels are optional, the latter mounting monster P255/45R20 H-rated tires that make it look really cool. Any Flex can be ordered with a white roof, a silver roof, or a body-color roof.

Ford has trumped every competitor vehicle in the van, minivan and SUV class with its new refrigerator option for the Flex. It’s is a real refrigerator, not a cooler, with a compressor, fan and exhaust system. It’s capable of achieving temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or, at the flip of a switch, temperatures as low as -5 degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerated space can stow a wide variety of containers, and can hold up to seven 12-ounce cans in its position between the two second-row bucket seats. Ford says the refrigerator will run even with the engine off, and after it shuts off, is so well insulated that it will take several hours before the temperature falls far enough to have to cool or freeze the contents all over again. It’s a $760 option on any model as long as you order the second-row bucket seats, too.

Sirius Travel Link is another first-time option on the Ford Flex. You get 130 stations of Sirius satellite radio, but you also get satellite navigation, real-time weather, real-time traffic, and information on fuel prices in the local area. Travel Link can display weather information in radar, map or satellite formats, or as tables, including current weather, the five-day forecast, and ski reports. The Travel Link system can also display local movie listings for the top 40 most popular movies, as well as sports scores for every major sports league. The system includes a rear-view camera for backing up safely, and six months of service, at an option price of $2375.

The HDD navigation system can store up to 150 hours of music, with album covers, and it can play an iPod, and upload photos for display on the nav screen through a USB port. Another new option in Flex is a Sony 7.1 10-channel, 390-watt, ten-speaker sound system, or the optional twin headrest-screen DVD player.

The Microsoft Sync hands-free music and telephone system is also available in the Flex for an additional $395, with an automatic 911 accident notification added to the existing Sync technology.

On our first test-drive we got to drive the Flex from the borough of Queens up into Connecticut to Greenwich, then all the way back down to Gramercy Park in lower Manhattan. Our test car was a Limited AWD, priced at about $40,000 including the optional Vista Roof, the Travel Link and Sync systems, heated reclining rear bucket seats, two-tone paint, roof rack, and 19-inch polished wheels with 235/55R-19 tires.

The Flex drove pretty well considering its weight, and it stops and handles much better than we had expected. It’s very quiet inside at road speeds, and you can hear very well from the first row to the third and vice versa. The seating position is high and the dashboard is low so it’s easy to see out in all directions. The front bucket seats were very comfortable even after all day in traffic. The second and third row seats were very roomy and comfortable, and the theater-style seat mounting made it easy to see out even from the third row.

Acceleration from the 3.5-liter engine is good if not exciting or heart-pounding. The engine felt smooth and powerful, and the transmission showed us quick, positive shifts up and down. The brake pedal feel and power were very good for a vehicle this heavy.

The Flex’s ride quality was also very good, without a lot of body roll. The low ride height makes it easy to get in or out. The simple instrument package, the 8-inch display screen, the center stack, and the wood, leather and chrome trim all fit together well and are easy on the eyes, with tight gaps throughout the interior.

With its refreshing design, easy-to-live-with low ride height, big tires and wheels, quiet and spacious interior, and the all-around solid performance, we think the new Ford Flex should be a big success in the marketplace. Especially in a competitive field that looks old and stodgy by comparison to this entirely new shape, size and style of family wagon.

What does quality, green driving, safety, and smart technology all have in common? They are the focus of every new Ford that comes out of the factory. And perhaps they are all demonstrated by Sync, a feature found on many of our new models. Sync is a revolutionary new system that pairs outside technology with your Ford. You can talk on the phone, listen to music, display pictures, all with a few simple voice commands.

Quality: As with everything built by Ford, quality is a must. When it comes to Sync, a great example is the ease of use. All commands are simply spoken inside the vehicle, and Sync will understand and respond accordingly. Want to call Bob? Just say “Call Bob” and Sync does the rest. Say “Directions”

Essentially, all that Easy Fuel consists of is a spring backed metal plate behind the fuel filler hole. When you put the nozzle of a gas pump into the system, the plate pushes back. Upon removal of the pump, it will snap shut. This prevents loss of gasoline from an improperly installed or missing gas cap, making it safer and more gas efficient.  It makes filling up faster, as per there is no gas cap to unscrew. Add to that, no more scratches or scuffs from a hanging gas cap!

The Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler System is standard on many new Ford vehicles, including the Fusion, F-150, and Flex. If this isn’t really your style, then all models are available with the classic locking gas cap. 

In conclusion, the dedication in design of the Easy Fuel System speaks volumes of Ford, who took something as simple and basic as the gas tank and found a way to make it easier, faster, and cleaner.  From fueling up to the driveway, every aspect of Ford is unique, evolved, and different. Come take a look at this great new system today!

Ford and city and state authorities have been negotiating the fate of the two plants for a while. The truck plant was reportedlysafe, but the assembly plant’s future was uncertain. Ford has said it will spend over $100 million to retool both of its Louisville plants – it also has a truck plant there that makes Super Duty F-Series vehicles – which will save 6,000 jobs. The conversion is expected to take six months and probably won’t be ready until 2011. A Ford spokeswoman had no comment on reports about the Kuga. Hat tip to Juan

Those of you who follow the auto industry as obsessively as we do will immediately recognize the all-new 2009 Ford Flex as the production version of the well-received Ford Fairlane “People Mover” concept from the 2005 Chicago Auto Show. The suicide doors are gone and the front has been opened up a bit to allow the engine to breathe… but Ford’s execution from concept to production is, for the most part, dead-on. Ford recently gave us the opportunity to drive the new Flex in Southern California, so follow the jump to read our first impressions of the Blue Oval’s new people mover.

Photos Copyright ©2008 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

A simple two-box design, the Flex borrows styling cues from the MINI Cooper, Honda Element, and Scion xB. Refining the shape, Ford designers have sculpted four horizontal grooves running lengthwise into the side door panels. Making this Ford both unique and interesting, the design element visually stretches the vehicle and emphasizes its long wheelbase (hint: cargo capacity and smooth ride). The roof is also separated from the body by an all-black greenhouse (a first for Ford). Standard tinted glass on all rear windows emphasizes what Ford calls “…mystery and intrigue in the design” while chrome and bright metallic accents highlight the rear liftgate, door handles, trim, and mirrors. The face of the Flex features Ford’s three-bar grille, with headlights and fog lamps following the common theme with their bright surrounds.

In a deliberately non-minivan style, two front-hinged passenger doors open wide on each side, while a power-operated tailgate takes up the rear. The bottom of the doors merit notice as the rocker sills have been integrated in the door itself. This innovative feature allows passengers to step several inches closer to the Flex when climbing in or out, and they take dirt and grime away with the swinging door (while it never rains in Southern California, this will be a boon in most normal climates). Making pumping gas a bit simpler, especially with a gloved hand, the Flex introduces a “capless” fuel system called Easy Fuel. Ford wanted us to try the rather simple system (it involves a gasket on the filler door) but we don’t get pleasure out of pumping gas-even on someone else’s dime.

Inside, this top-of-the-line Limited model had roomy seating for six (drop the optional 5-qt. fridge/freezer with its own built-in compressor, and you can put a third passenger in the middle row). Concentrating on interior quality, Ford utilized multiple materials, textures, and colors within the cabin. While it is upscale (kudos to the contrasting stitches on the leather) and very inviting, the high-gloss acrylic coating on the “wood grain” is just too plastic for our tastes. The primary gauges are easy to read, but the myriad of buttons on the center stack will have you pulling your eyes from the road to hit them, even long after you are accustomed to the panel.

As vehicles become more technology-laden than a 757 passenger jetliner, the Flex follows the trend with Ford’s popular SYNC with next-generation navigation and Sirius Travel Link. Navigation, weather, movies and even current gasoline prices are displayed on the 8-inch touchscreen within easy reach from the front seats. We cannot fathom why Ford included the too-low-to-be-useful analog clock on the center cluster (does anyone remember the Infiniti QX56?).

Even with power-adjustable pedals, the driving position for our six-foot two-inch frame wasn’t optimal. The steering column adjusts for rake, but does not telescope. To get the legroom we needed, our arms were forced awkwardly outstretched. The headrests, oversized to limit head and neck injury in a crash, rested uncomfortably close to our heads even after we tweaked them. The firm and wide front seats, however, were very comfortable and leg room was accommodating. Second row passengers (Ford calls it “Business-class”) have a generous amount of room keeping all but the worst misfit kids from kicking the back of the front seats. Adults will occupy the third row without protest, and still remain on speaking terms with the others. With above-average legroom, and skylights overhead in our Limited model, it is far from claustrophobic sitting in the “way-back.” Ford thoughtfully placed a button on the interior B-pillar that springs the second-row seat up and out-of-the-way for easy third-row ingress/egress, and it really works.

There are three different Flex models: SE, SEL, and Limited. All share identical mechanicals, with the exception of front- or all-wheel drive drivelines. Ford brought more than a dozen Flexes (Flexi?) to Southern California for us to peruse, but all of them were the top-of-the-line Limited AWD models. With a twist of the conventional key, the engine cranked over and we headed out of Santa Monica for the Pacific Coast Highway and the twisty Mulholland Drive above it. It is immediately obvious that Ford engineers did an impressive job keeping the enemy – weight and torque steer – at bay. Had we not been told the Limited model we were driving tipped the scales at about 4,400 pounds, and was sending all of the engine’s power through the front wheels, we would never have guessed.

While the Flex isn’t going to be the car of choice for your next autocross (if pushed, it plows), the tuning of the four-wheel independent suspension kept body roll to a minimum, and driver confidence in sweeping corners high. As mentioned, the model we tested was equipped with permanent all-wheel drive. Under normal conditions, all of the torque goes to the front wheels. However, if the system detects slip or conditions that warrant otherwise (e.g., hard acceleration from a standstill), power is immediately sent rearward. The AWD system in the Ford Flex can send 100 percent the engine’s power to the axle that needs it the most – automatically.

As the price of fuel continues to go nuts, it is worth first mentioning the efficiency of this new Ford. Painstaking engine tuning and near-complete fuel cutoff during deceleration help the new Flex earn impressive fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16/22 in AWD trim). That trumps all of the 7-passenger full-size SUVs (even the Hybrid GMC Yukon), popular minivans and many crossovers of varying size. We should add that the Flex is designed to sip regular unleaded fuel, as well.

With fuel economy taking precedent over brute power (ergo no V8), the Ford Flex features the familiar Duratec 3.5-liter V6 rated at 262 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that is designed to pull away in first gear, the Flex easily moves itself around without hesitation. Only in the canyons did we find ourselves getting a bit frustrated with the transmission’s electronic brain. The slushbox wanted to save fuel. We wanted torque. The Ford guy in the back seat (no, your car will not come with one) suggested we hit the “O/D” button. Designed for use while towing, it locks out sixth, holds gears longer, and will downshift automatically on braking. With a quick stab of that little button on the side of the shifter, we got what we were looking for.

Isolating passengers from unnecessary noise was also a key design goal of the Ford team. To achieve the goal, the front windshield (and all side glass panels on upscale models) is acoustically laminated to cut down on wind roar. A relatively low drag coefficient (.355, to be precise) and foam injected pillars and panels also keep the noise away from the passenger’s ears. During our stint behind the wheel, we found the Flex to be notably quiet. Even our pre-production model was free of the expected squeaks and rattles. We spent about four stress-free hours inside the Flex’s cabin. With the optional DVD entertainment center and Sony 7.1 surround system, and a stocked fridge, this could be the ultimate road-trip vehicle.

It seems Ford’s objective was to deliver a stylish alternative to the boring minivan, and one-up the cookie-cutter competition. In doing so, it has also created an excuse to drop the gas-thirsty full-size SUV in exchange for an innovative, impressively fuel efficient, 7-passenger crossover. Whatever the case, with the precision of a GPS-guided projectile, Ford appears to have hit its target.

You’re invited to the Second Annual Ford PAS Next Generation Learning Communities (Ford PAS NGLC) Institute. The Ford PAS NGLC initiative aims to support communities that wish to increase the number of students learning in successful career academies and help those communities sustain their career academy network over time. The Ford PAS NGLC Institute will help you
• Learn about the Ford PAS NGLC Initiative
• Become familiar with the Ford PAS NGLC Best Practices
• Hear from the designated Ford PAS NGLC communities about their best practices
• Discover how to apply for Ford PAS NGLC designation
• Network with other successful career academies
• Strategize with your team in planning sessions. On-line Registration opens Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Registration fees are:
• Regular registration, April 16–May 23, $220
• Late registration, after May 23, $320.

Immediately following the Ford PAS NGLC Institute, join others to learn about the innovative Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) program, an academically rigorous, inquiry-based high school curriculum and program developed to prepare students for careers in business, technology and engineering. To participate:

•2009 Ford Fiesta is a success in UK : The 2009 Ford Fiesta is a success in the UK as the company has sold almost 11,500 units in just 77 days since it went on sale on this market. More than 9,000 of these uni

•2010 Ford Fiesta in US : Ford announced today that the latest version of the Fiesta, the 2009 model that is already on sale in Europe, will become available on the US market in early 2010. The 20

•2009 Ford Focus RS UK price : Ford has announced today the 2009 Ford Focus RS UK price and the fact that the new performance model will become available in showrooms here in March. The 2009 Ford Focus

•2009 Ford Focus RS promo video : ford has released today the first 2009 Ford Focus RS promo video that shows the new model in blue during a photo shoot. The 2009 Ford Focus RS is powered by a 2.5-litre,

•2010 Ford Mustang promo : Ford has recently released a new 2010 Ford Mustang promo video done with the help of CGI. They could have worked a little more on the quality of the 3D animation, or even

•2009 Ford Fiesta Top Gear review video : In the latest episode of Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson reviews the new 2009 Ford Fiesta. He did so at the request of a viewer who complained that they don’t do reasonable road

•Bosch drifting commercial : Bosch launched a new advertising campaign that features Vaughn Gittin Jr. and a Bosch sparked Ford Mustang. As the commercial says: some artists work in oils, some in pla

•Heffner Camilo Pardo Ford GT : Heffner Performance has teamed up with artist and Ford GT chief designer Camilo Pardo to develop the custom built Heffner Camilo Pardo Ford GT. The Heffner Camilo Pardo F

•2009 Ford Focus RS price : Ford announced the 2009 Ford Focus RS price for the European market and released a few additional performance details. The 2009 Ford Focus RS is powered by the 2.5-liter

The big winner in the CR SUV rankings was the Toyota Highlander. The hybrid version finished with the top overall score of 86, and the standard model received a good-for-second-place 81. The Acura MDX came in third with 80 points. GM’s Lambda-based crossovers all tied for 6th place with a total score of 75 points each. The Consumer Report SUV rankings will appear in its November issue, which should be hitting store shelves just about now.

SoundScreen Reduces Cabin Noise

During a road test measuring noise inside a 2008 Focus fitted with the SoundScreen windshield and sound-absorbent material, decibel levels were cut to 67 dB from 70 dB in the previous model (by comparison, 65 dB is the level that people typically speak at when seated around a conference table). With this reduction in road noise, drivers can easily talk to the passenger next to them or on the phone and they won’t have to turn up the stereo all the way.

With the new windshield and other sound-absorbing materials, the 2008 Mercury Mariner is 12 percent quieter on the highway and 20 percent quieter in high-velocity crosswinds than the 2007 model.

Developed by Carlite, the SoundScreen windshield debuted on the 2007 Ford Expedition and the Lincoln MKX and Navigator, and is also standard on the new 2008 Ford Escape and Focus, as well as the new 2008 Mercury Mariner.

A Quieter Windshield

The secret to the SoundScreen windshield is that it is built with a layer of sound-absorbent vinyl sandwiched between two sheets of glass.

This special acoustic vinyl layer helps soften noise levels inside the vehicle by as much as 6 dB in the frequency range where wind noise is most annoying and by 2 to 3 dB overall. And the special polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer also helps cut the vibration noise stemming from the vehicle’s engine compartment.

Added Advantages

In addition to a quieter passenger cabin, the use of an acoustic windshield also offers the potential of weight savings.

For example, by using the new windshield material, the weight of a Navigator windshield could be trimmed by about seven pounds by using thinner glass. The acoustic glass can also be used for side and back windows and moonroofs, adding to more weight savings.

Vehicles with Acoustic Windshields

For the 2008 model year, Ford Escape, Ford Expedition, Ford Focus, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln Navigator and Mercury Mariner are equipped with an acoustic windshield.

For the 2009 model year, Ford Flex, Ford F-150 Platinum Edition and Lincoln MKS are slated to include acoustic windshields. More Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will get the windshield in 2010.

About Carlite

Carlite is a business unit of Automotive Components Holdings, established by Ford in 2005 to ensure the flow of quality components and systems to the automaker.

Ford’s anticipated six- and seven-passenger crossover, the Flex, will start at $28,995 including shipping charges, according to a report in Automotive News citing dealer sources. That essentially matches the lowest priced GM Lamdba vehicle (at least until the Chevy Traverse arrives in showrooms), the Saturn Outlook, which starts at $28,995, without destination fees.

While FWD Flex SEs will do battle with the Saturn Outlook and the upcoming Toyota Venza, among many others, an AWD Flex Limited — priced at $37,255 — can ostensibly challenge the Buick Enclave, which carries an MSRP of $35,540 for a base AWD model (without destination or delivery fees).

The Flex goes on sale this summer. To read our first impressions of the Flex from from a Ford Dealer, click here. To read about how much less than $28,995 the Flex cost in Ford’s preliminary Build and Price feature from last August, click here.

Ford’s unique crossover ends a streak of blue-oval blandness.

A cooling fan on hot day. Orange Popsicles. Ice-cold sangria. The 2009 Ford Flex. What do these things have in common? Each is undeniably refreshing.

Yes, after a seemingly interminable series of painfully bland products, Ford has finally built something interesting. And after a brief drive of the Flex—in, of all places, New York City and its swanky ’burbs—we’re feeling cautiously optimistic about the funky four-wheeled box. And, for that matter, about Ford.

We’re not necessarily ready to say we love the thing, but we do like it. We are impressed with many aspects of it, and fortunately, we think they are aspects that count—i.e., features that help it carry a bunch of people and things in comfort and with reasonable economy. Which, after all, is precisely the point of vehicles like this.

Flex in the City

There are fairly few car launches in New York City for, we think, obvious reasons. But the Flex actually was right at home in “the City,” its love-it-or-loathe-it T-square styling not looking a bit out of place along New York’s busy boulevards, lined as they are with skyscrapers as rectilinear as the Flex itself. And if Ford had bothered painting one yellow, we’d have been mobbed at rush hour.

Shamelessly reminding everyone of the station wagons of their childhoods, the Flex has nary a curve to be found, and only a few radiused edges. The stacked taillamps—with nifty standard LEDs—bracket an optional, straked metallic panel, adding visual width. The side grooves are a modern interpretation of good old-fashioned wood paneling. If it was Ford’s intention to recall the glory days of the station wagon, it worked, although the Country Squire certainly wasn’t available with 20-inch alloys.

It’s Not All Retro

As evocative as the Flex is of a bygone era, there is rife evidence of new-school thinking on the exterior, starting with the hidden rocker panels. Basically, the Flex’s door skins reach under the body side so that any snow or mud that might be caked to them travels with the door so that passengers don’t get their pants dirty while getting in and out. This also allows passengers to scoot closer to the seat as they climb aboard—particularly good for older folks. Just be mindful when parking next to tall curbs.

Another cool bit is the exterior keypad—a throwback that Ford refuses to get rid of in spite of looking rather silly in the days of the key fob. Until now, that is. It illuminates from under the black B-pillar when one’s hand is waved over it. Ooh, it’s suddenly cool.

Need to talk to an auto expert? Come to your local dealer!

Meanwhile, 2008 will be a busy year for Ford with six major vehicle launches and a couple minor ones—70 percent of the lineup will be new or upgraded. That figure jumps to 100 percent new by 2010, says Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas.

The first major launch is the Ford Flex crossover that fills the vacancy left after the automaker stopped producing minivans. Even more key is the 2009 Ford F-150, which the automaker promises will be the most capable pickup in the marketplace in payload, towing, and features in general.

In addition to the MKS, Lincoln will upgrade the MKZ mid-size sedan as well as the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan platform-mates. Hybrid versions of the Fusion and Milan also will launch this year.

Minor debuts include a pair of Mustangs: the Bullitt and the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR.

The technology is a key component of Ford’s new “Blueprint for Sustainable Future” that is designed to address global warming with emissions solutions that are economically feasible, Kuzak says, noting about 18 percent of global emissions from all sources come from light-duty cars and trucks.

The blueprint is broken down into immediate, mid-, and long-term plans in an attempt to reduce emissions by 25 to 50 percent by 2020.

Elegant in its design and yet a hefty, big SUV/minivan crossover box, the Ford Flex is the next big new model. The New York International Auto Show introduction was a bit early to unveil the production version of the Flex, which first appeared at the 2005 Detroit show as the Fairlane concept. The Flex goes on sale next summer as a 2009 model.

While the Fairlane’s suicide doors have been replaced by four conventional doors, many details remain, including horizontal strakes on the profile and brushed, stainless rear-deck accent. Not retro, the Flex comes off as a quietly luxurious modern station wagon, the obvious descendant of the 1940 Woody or 1965 Country Squire.

The Flex is even more daring than the 2005 Ford Fairlane concept. In a lot of ways the
production car takes the concept car to another level. “We wanted to stay as close as
possible to the concept vehicle. It’s bold. It’s something we haven’t done with a lot of our
cars, but we really pushed it with this one.”

The Ford Flex has the power to move people emotionally as well as physically.This crossover has been created for people who know it’s the journey—not the destination—that matters most.
It looks like Ford was Flex-ing their new minivan replacement for 2009 down in San Antonio, Texas. Jalopnik reader Hernan caught this here prototype making its way through the downtown city streets the other day looking very Dave-like in the rear-view mirror of what we’re assuming is the family truck.

Ford describes the Freestyle as offering the looks of an SUV, the versatility of a minivan,and the confidence of an all-wheel-drive sedan. The Freestyle features seven-passenger capacity, versatility for passenger or cargo use, and available all-wheel
drive.

The crashworthiness data for this vehicle has been obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and is protected by copyrights and other proprietary rights. You may reproduce a copy of the data for personal use only. You may not repost, distribute, sell, publish, broadcast, or any other way commercially exploit any of the data without written permission from the Institute.

The engine that will debut in the upcoming MKS will be a flex-fuel 3.5L V6 delivering 415hp and 400lb-ft of torque thanks to a pair of turbochargers and direct injection technology. According to Edmunds, Ford is also developing a 2.5L four-cylinder variant that will eventually power the Fusion sedan and Edge crossover by the end of the decade, as well as a new dual-clutch six-speed PowerShift gearbox that should also appear in the new MKS.

Performance buffs will be pleased to know that the Mustang is destined to receive a 5.0L TwinForce V8, while an even larger 6.2L engine will be relegated to the Blue Oval’s full-size pickups and utility vehicles. Both V8 engines will not only benefit from TwinForce technology, but they’ll also feature a cylinder deactivation mechanism.

It is too excited about the face of the original MKS concept, which essentially was an evolution of the MKZ’s benign gaze. But what we can see through the thick tarps on these latest prototypes is a bold, new chrome-rimmed dual-port grille clearly descended from the glitzy, gaping nostrils on the MKR.

Ford insists the 2009 Flex is not a minivan replacement, and that might be true in spirit. Yet it will be built at the same Canadian plant that built the Freestar, and it replaces that minivan in Ford’s model line-up.

Measured by features, seating and passenger/cargo options, the Flex will function very much like a good minivan, and it will be available with front-wheel drive (like the typical minivan). The key difference? Like many crossovers, the Flex is supposed to serve a family’s needs with more sex appeal than a minivan, and without branding its driver as a soccer mom or dad.

To that end, styling is a key part of the Flex equation, and in our view it’s one of the more interesting vehicles Ford has launched in some time. The production Flex is based on the Fairlane concept vehicle that toured the auto-show circuit in 2005, and it’s a close copy, right down to the strakes along its flat sides. There’s a hint of Range Rover in the Flex, but also a hint of panel wagons from another era. Its roof pillars are blacked out and its side windows are dark, and it will be available with a white or silver roof, like a Mini Cooper, regardless of its lower-body paint color.

One key difference between the production Flex and the Fairlane concept: no suicide doors for the Flex, or rear doors that hinge in back and open from the center. The Flex won’t have minivan-style sliding rear doors, either. With conventional swing out doors, and access required for the third seat, we expect those rear doors will be some of the longest on any vehicle in production.

If the Flex is going to sway family buyers, it will need the right interior features. Its body design essentially eliminates raised rocker panels under the doors, which means there’s nothing to step over to climb in and out. Ford promises best-in-class second-row legroom, with optional adjustable foot rests. The Flex will be offered with separate second-row buckets or a three-place bench. In either case, the second-row seats will tumble forward for access to the third row, or fold flat into the floor to maximize cargo space. A power fold feature will be optional. Leather upholstery will come standard on the high-trim Flex Limited. Ford claims it has devoted much of its engineering effort toward making the Flex the quietest vehicle in its class, with extra thick glass and high-tech sound-deadening materials in the dash panel, headliner and under the carpeting.

Unique interior features will include programmable lighting that allows the owner to decide which interior LED lights illuminate, and when. The Flex will also offer Ford Sync, a voice-activated communications and entertainment system developed with Microsoft. It integrates mobile phones and digital media players and can include a hard drive with space for up to 2300 songs. The multi-panel Vista Roof extends a glass skylight over all three rows of seats. Also available is a real refrigerator that can chill drinks rather than simply keep them cold. Ford claims its cool box will chill seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in two-and-one-half hours, or 40 percent faster than a conventional home refrigerator.

Safety features in the Flex will surpass most minivans. All variants will come with front-impact airbags, side-impact airbags for front passengers and curtain-style head-protection airbags for all three rows of seats. The curtain bags will deploy in the event of a rollover, and the Edge will also feature an electronic system available on most higher-priced sport-utilities. Roll Stability Control, or RSC, intervenes to try to prevent a rollover when the electronics sense that one might occur.

All models will feature a six-speed automatic transmission, and Ford promises some of the best EPA mileage ratings among larger, seven-passenger vehicles. The Flex will also feature a capless fuel-filler. Simply open the cover door, insert the pump nozzle and squeeze.

Cool Features Built Right In

Flex is set apart from other vehicles thanks to a long list of surprising features. They include:

* Class-exclusive refrigerator, mounted between the second-row captain’s chairs. Unlike competitors’ systems that merely keep cold beverages cool, the Flex’s available compressor-driven refrigerator can cool up to seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in just more than two-and-one-half hours. That’s 40 percent faster than a standard home refrigerator.

*    Multi-Panel Vista Roof™. It not only brightens the interior, it gives Flex occupants seated in each row their own special skylight.

* Second-row, best-in-class legroom, including class-exclusive adjustable and removable footrests. The Flex’s second-row seats fold and tumble to provide access to the third-row and fold flat into the floor for added cargo space.

*   Seven-color programmable ambient lighting. Flex owners can choose interior lighting to fit their mood. With this feature – which also is being introduced on the 2008 Ford Focus – customers use a dashboard switch to change the lighting on two LEDs mounted on the front console, two on the footwells and two around the cupholders.

* Capless fuel filler system.

* Ford’s exclusive second-generation door-entry keypad.

Safety advancements include:
* Rear back-up camera. Mounted in the bottom of Flex’s liftgate badge, the available camera is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a view of what’s behind the vehicle.

The system works in conjunction with the vehicle’s reverse sensing system and uses the navigation screen as a display.

* AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ® (Roll Stability Control). This system can predict a vehicle’s path, using a sensor to measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip or the loss
of traction, it applies braking where needed to keep the vehicle safely on its intended path.

Ford’s BeltMinder safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger. Flex also comes equipped with such standard features as child safety locks on the rear doors, the trunk LATCH system and Ford’s tire pressure monitoring system.

Ford’s next-generation navigation system, featuring voice recognition technology and more than 150 hours of music storage.

Users can browse the music jukebox via touch-screen or by using voice recognition. They can also create custom play lists and burn CDs for storage on the system’s hard drive. The system also integrates the climate control and SIRIUS Satellite Radio into one easy-to-use, smudge-resistant, 8-inch touch-screen display. Premium AM/FM/MP3 audio systems also are available with a six-CD changer, auxiliary jack to accommodate MP3 players and the latest generation DVD entertainment system with a large 8-inch, drop-down screen.

2. Approved shops are beholden to tightfisted insurers. Auto insurers contract with providers to repair vehicles for a pre-negotiated rate (think of it as managed care for sick cars). And your car could be the victim of cost cutting. Some practices, such as requiring low hourly labor rates and making the shop pick up the rental car tab if a repair takes too long, could tempt shops to cut corners — by, say, neglecting to align the wheels or using plastic filler in a dent rather than replacing the sheet metal. “Insurers have wired the shops to give them so many discounts that, to stay alive, the shops often do the bare minimum,” says Erica Eversman, of Vehicle Information Services, which provides consulting and forensic experts for both insurers and consumers. For a list of independent shops that meet certain quality criteria, go to Assured Performance Collision Care.

3. Not all replacement parts are created equal. Original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are designed to match precisely and may be safer. But insurers prefer that shops use generic or salvage replacement parts because they’re cheaper. If you cause an accident, you could be bound by wording in your policy to use aftermarket parts or pay the difference for OEM parts. But if someone hits you, tell the shop to use OEM parts.

4. The due date is most likely fiction. Mechanics routinely blame missed deadlines on delays in parts delivery. The truth is that many of them take on more business than they can handle. Before you commit your business to a shop, check the local Better Business Bureau and government consumer-affairs offices for complaints against it.

5. A rented car will cost you. Renting a car for three weeks could cost $1,000 or more. Even if you have optional rental-car insurance (which costs $1 or $2 a month), your daily reimbursement may be limited to the cost of a compact car. If you need a minivan while your car is in the shop, make sure you have minivan-size coverage.

6. Your car needs a shop that speaks its language. Many European cars use aluminum and ultrahard steel that require special equipment to repair. Plus, replacement parts for late-model European vehicles have to be fit with an especially high degree of precision. Shops should be certified by the manufacturer to do the work, meaning they must have specialized training and equipment — and charge higher rates. Insurers won’t necessarily recommend these shops, but they should be willing to pay the tab.

7. The insurer’s warranty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Insurers sometimes dangle warranties on the parts (for as long as you own the vehicle) to entice you to go to shops in their network. But the body shop’s guarantee is the one that’s important. Nearly all shops will guarantee their work, and parts makers guarantee their parts, making the insurance warranty all but worthless.

 

• Bold Design Inside and Out:  New Ford Flex full-size crossover is the first vehicle of its kind with a bold design, striking interior and seven-passenger seating for families. 

• Cool Features:  Interior refrigerator, second-row footrests, Ford Sync™ in-car communications and entertainment system, capless fueling, a 2,300-song personal juke box, programmable ambient interior “mood lighting” and a Multi-Panel Vista Roof™ are among the many customer-inspired innovations. 

• Safe and Secure:  An available rear back-up camera, standard front-and-side-seat mounted air bags,  three-row Safety Canopy^® side curtain and AdvanceTrac^® with RSC^® (Roll Stability Control) offer the safety and security customers demand for their families. 

• Powerful and Confident:  An award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 engine, fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission and available intelligent all-wheel-drive provide powerful and confident road manners. 

• On Sale Next Year:  The 2009 Ford Flex goes on sale in the summer of 2008, joining the Edge and Taurus X in Ford’s popular crossover lineup. 

NEW YORK, April 4, 2007 – Ford Motor Company redefines the modern American family journey with the introduction of the 2009 Ford Flex, 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.  It’s the first vehicle of its kind that combines seating for seven, interior spaciousness and surprising features with a striking design that looks great on the road and at home for today’s modern American families,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas, as he revealed the new vehicle at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.  “The Flex builds on Ford’s leadership in crossover vehicles, which is the fastest-growing part of the auto market today.” 

On sale in the summer of 2008, the Flex is arriving as crossovers continue to outpace even the remarkable growth of SUVs during the 1990s and minivans of the 1980s. Last year, crossovers surpassed traditional SUV sales for the first time, and they are trending toward annual crossover sales of 3 million units by the end of the decade.  Such growth likely will make crossovers the first or second largest vehicle segment in the U.S. 

“Flex is another example of Ford creating more of the products that our customers really want,” Fields said.  “Ford intends to define crossover vehicles this decade just as we did SUVs in the 1990s.” The Flex joins the Edge and Taurus X in Ford’s expanding crossover lineup.  Ford’s success with crossover utility vehicles is substantial.  In March alone, the company’s U.S. crossover sales were up more than 40 percent over last year – led by the success of the new Edge. 

Redefining the Family Journey Bold, expressive design and exclusive innovations define the new Flex. “The Ford Flex has the power to move people emotionally as well as physically,” said J Mays, Ford’s group vice president of Design and chief creative officer.   “This crossover has been created for people who know it’s the journey – not the destination – that matters most,” Mays added.  “Its upright, upscale design, versatility and clever touches allow Ford Flex to stand out in an increasingly crowded sea of crossovers.” 

The Ford Flex brings to production the Ford Fairlane concept vehicle that turned heads at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “Flex is following in the tire tracks, so to speak, of Ford vehicles like the Taurus, Explorer and Mustang.  It’s the next iconic Ford,” said Peter Horbury, Ford’s executive director of Design for The Americas.  “It shatters today’s image of people movers.” 

Flex’s signature exterior design includes: 

• Ford’s signature chrome horizontal three-bar grille, which builds on the family “face” that defines the Ford Edge and Taurus X crossovers, as well as the Ford Fusion sedan. 

• A unique, all black “greenhouse” – defined as the windshield, rear and side windows, and the pillars separating and connecting them to the roof.  The design brings together seamlessly the body with the available multi-panel roof.  Customers can pair a White Suede or Silver roof option with one of Flex’s 10 available exterior colors or choose a body-color roof.  

• Standard 18-inch or available 19-inch bright aluminum wheels, which plant the new crossover firmly on the road. 

• Flex’s integrated rocker panel design, which eliminates the need for customers to step over the rocker panel when getting in and out of the vehicle. 

• Edge-inspired taillamps, which are outlined in chrome.  Flex Limited models have LED taillamps and a brushed satin finish metal appliqué spanning the center of the liftgate.  

Interior Quality Inside, Ford Flex delivers textures, features and functionality – including segment exclusives – that create an ideal atmosphere for discerning customers and their families. “More than 90 percent of crossover customers make their vehicle purchases based in part on the overall quality of interiors,” said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager.  “When they see the Flex’s exterior, they’ll be intrigued.  When they see its interior, they’ll fall in love.”  Flex’s interior provides a level of craftsmanship inspired by fashion and furniture design, with modern materials and soft touch points.   

Details include tweed-like fabric for the base-level Flex SE’s seats, with inserts in a miniature houndstooth.  Meanwhile, the Flex SEL features a soft insert with a more pronounced grain on the seat bolsters, while the Flex Limited features unique diamond-pattern perforations on the leather seat inserts.  Contrast stitching also is available on leather seats and the center console.  Cool Features Built Right In 

Flex is set apart from other vehicles thanks to a long list of surprising features.  They include: 

• Class-exclusive refrigerator, mounted between the second-row captain’s chairs.  Unlike competitors’ systems that merely keep cold beverages cool, the Flex’s available compressor-driven refrigerator can cool up to seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in just more than two-and-one-half hours.  That’s 40 percent faster than a standard home refrigerator. 

• Multi-Panel Vista Roof™.  It not only brightens the interior, it gives Flex occupants seated in each row their own special skylight. 

• Second-row, best-in-class legroom, including class-exclusive adjustable and removable footrests.  The Flex’s second-row seats fold and tumble to provide access to the third-row and fold flat into the floor for added cargo space.  An available one-touch system folds and tumbles the second row. 

• Seven-color programmable ambient lighting.  Flex owners can choose interior lighting to fit their mood.  With this feature – which also is being introduced on the 2008 Ford Focus – customers use a dashboard switch to change the lighting on two LEDs mounted on the front console, two on the footwells and two around the cupholders. 

• Capless fuel filler system.  This exclusive feature eliminates the likelihood of forgetting to put the gas cap back on after fueling.  It also saves time by doing away with unscrewing and replacing a fuel-filler cap and provides a better seal, cutting down the emissions of smog-forming vapors.  

• Ford Sync™, Ford’s industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system.  This available system fully integrates mobile phones and digital media players into the vehicle.  The Sync in-car communications system was developed in collaboration with Microsoft and will be offered exclusively on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles later this year.  

• Ford’s next-generation navigation system, featuring voice recognition technology and more than 150 hours of music storage.  Users can browse the music jukebox via touch-screen or by using voice recognition.  They can also create custom play lists and burn CDs for storage on the system’s hard drive.  The system also integrates the climate control and SIRIUS Satellite Radio into one easy-to-use, smudge-resistant, 8-inch touch-screen display.  Premium AM/FM/MP3 audio systems also are available with a six-CD changer, auxiliary jack to accommodate MP3 players and the latest generation DVD entertainment system with a large 8-inch, drop-down screen. 

• Ford’s exclusive second-generation door-entry keypad.  Housed within the vehicle’s black B pillars, the flat-panel, backlit keypad eliminates the need for door-mounted buttons and gives customers the ability to unlock doors, disarm the alarm system and disable the auto-lock function by entering a five-digit code.  

Quiet, Confident Ride   The Ford Flex’s chassis was designed to be capable, including more than 4,000 pounds of towing capacity, while still delivering the quiet, confident ride that crossover customers demand.  “A quiet ride is no longer a luxury,” said Gary Boes, Flex chief engineer. “It’s something that customers have come to expect from their vehicles and equate with quality.  Flex has been engineered from the onset with reduced noise, vibration and harshness in mind.”  Engineering advancements include a new independent rear suspension system (IRS) with unique geometry that allows for better tuning to deliver a broad range of capabilities without compromising the interior package.  Interior noise was minimized by using sound-deadening materials in the dash panel, headliner and under the carpeting.   In addition, a 6-millimeter thick windshield helps reduce wind and powertrain noise, while specially selected tires make road noise nearly unnoticeable.  Powerful V-6 with AWD 

Flex is powered by Ford’s award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 engine and is mated to a fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission.  The powertrain is expected to deliver more than 260 horsepower, 245 lb.-ft. of torque and good fuel economy.    Flex’s available intelligent all-wheel-drive system is tuned to provide confident driving in all weather conditions.  Intelligent AWD uses an active, on-demand electronic center coupler to allocate a precise amount of torque from front to rear – up to 100 percent to either axle.  The system also can anticipate wheel slip before it happens.   Safety Families Demand   Flex comes equipped with features that reflect Ford’s commitment to keeping customers and their families safe and secure.  The new crossover’s body structure has been optimized with side intrusion beams in the doors, strategic use of high-strength boron steel and specially designed, energy-absorbing interior door trims.   Other safety advancements include: 

• Rear back-up camera.  Mounted in the bottom of Flex’s liftgate badge, the available camera is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a view of what’s behind the vehicle.  The system works in conjunction with the vehicle’s reverse sensing system and uses the navigation screen as a display.  

• AdvanceTrac^® with RSC^® (Roll Stability Control).  This system can predict a vehicle’s path, using a sensor to measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip or the loss of traction, it applies braking where needed to keep the vehicle safely on its intended path. 

• Ford’s Personal Safety System.  This suite of safety features includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, thorax side air bags for front seat occupants, safety belt pretensioners, seat weight sensing system for the passenger seat and crash severity sensing.  

• Ford’s exclusive Safety Canopy^® side curtain air bag.  Designed for all three rows, this feature utilizes roll-fold technology to efficiently deploy the air bag when an occupant’s head is resting against the side glass.  In the event of a crash, the roll-fold bag will deploy between the occupant’s head and the side of the vehicle. 

• Ford’s BeltMinder™ safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger.  Flex also comes equipped with such standard features as child safety locks on the rear doors, the trunk LATCH system and Ford’s tire pressure monitoring system.  

About Ford Motor Company  Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich..., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.