Ford Flex

Ford Flex

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Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Ford Freestar Ford Taurus X
Class	Full-size crossover
Body style(s)	5-door crossover
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	Ford D4 platform
Engine(s)	3.5 L (210 cu in) 262 hp (195 kW) Duratec V6
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	117.9 in (299 cm)
Length	201.8 in (513 cm)
Width	80.1 in (203 cm)
Height	68 in (170 cm)
Related	Ford Taurus Ford Taurus X Mercury Sable Lincoln MKS Lincoln MKT
Designer	Richard Gresens
Manuals	Service Manual

The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover manufactured by Ford. 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. Sales of the Flex began in summer of 2008 as a 2009 model. 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. It replaces the Ford Freestar minivan and Taurus X (a crossover SUV similar to the Flex) as the unibody seven-seat Ford. The Flex is only sold in the United States and Canada.

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.

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 either white, silver, or body-colored. The Flex includes LED tail lamps and HID head lamps as an option (SEL & Limited models), and a "capless fueling" system, which does away with the traditional fueling door and cap, and provides better sealing to reduce evaporative emissions from the fuel tank. The standard wheels are 18-inch diameter, with 19-inch versions available. 20-inch diameter wheels will become available later in 2008 calendar year, according to Ford brochures.

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 navigation display screen, whenever reverse gear is engaged. 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 Flex's 3.5 L (210 cu in) 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 3.5 L (210 cu in) EcoBoost engine will be introduced later in the model year. 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 an updated and enlarged version of the Ford D3 platform, which is also used for the current generation Taurus and Taurus X.

Marketing

As part of the 'electrifying the night' campaign, Ford partnered with Esquire Magazine in the magazine's first E-ink issue.

A midsize crossover named the Kuga, which is very similar to the Ford Edge but borrows some elements from the Flex, was developed for the European market.

External links

• Official Ford Flex website at FordVehicles.com
• Ford Motor Company video introducing the all new Flex.