Ford Flex: Bringing Retro Back

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Source: Leftlanenews.com

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Ford Flex Announced

Ford today revealed the 2009 Ford Flex — a full size crossover designed to replace the automaker's minivan offerings. On sale in the summer of 2008, the Flex will join the Edge and Taurus X in Ford’s expanding crossover lineup.

“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.”

Flex is powered by Ford’s 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.

Unique features including a refrigerator, mounted between the second-row captain’s chairs, Multi-Panel Vista Roof, seven-color programmable ambient lighting, capless fuel filler system, FordSync communications and entertainment system, Ford’s next-generation navigation system, and Ford’s second-generation door-entry keypad.
 
You forgot a few important pictures...

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Overall, I'd rate this thing pretty high. It looks the part of a distinctively American station-wagon-thingy, and yet looks nice enough to be appealing to most people. Granted, it does appear to be stepping on the toes of the Taurus X just a bit, but I believe that the Flex has enough features to make it stand out... Like the refrigerator...

Granted, I've been a bit wishy-washy on the name, but now that I've seen the concept fully-revealed, I really really like it. This, at least for now, seems like on the ultimate family vehicles available to the US, and with the features listed above, I can't think of too many vehicles that would be better for the ol' family trips from Michigan to Florida.

I'm going to be frank and say that I hope Ford succeeds with this vehicle. If things go well, we're likely to see more wagons available at the GM and Chrysler dealers, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they are going to offer...
 
Hmmm, interesting… it manages to pull off the squarish look without looking silly like the Japanese boxes. There are a few details that are a bit wrong, but otherwise I think it’s kinda cool.

I hope they price it right and keep the weight down.
 
Didn't they check that retro is finished over the entire industrial design spectrum for a while now? Before I advocated retro styling as flexing the design muscle using and old design brief instead of a modern one, but that was 4 years ago. I don't think I'm the only one fed up with this.
 
What exactly is this retro of?

This?


I get the strong impression that Ford has been bouncing a lot a checks lately, and this is all they have left to do.
 
^ Rewind the clock a little more...

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Its supposed to recall the old Ford Country Squire, and the later Ford Fairlane wagons of the later '60s. They were the kings of the road back then, and with the baby-boomers in control of the new-car market, Ford is banking on the idea that wagons are going to be 'cool' again...
 
Seriously liking the way the Flex looks, I really can't wait for this thing, its like the Anti-Van. Go Ford! :)


If this doesn't suceed, it might be the end for FoMoCo.... :(
 
I really, really like this. I really do. But I can't help the feeling that it looks very familiar to something (not sarcasm).
Also, best use of Mach 3 ever.
YSSMAN
^ Rewind the clock a little more...
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Where do you find such nostalgic pieces of 50's Americana? The only period stuff I've found of that nature is some funny anti-communism propaganda.
 
It definitely looks fresh compared to some of their boring stuff, it looks like they took a twinch of Land Rover DNA but in a good way. Plus anything that means they can kill the Wind-err, Freestar is good.
 
Brilliant. I love it, it looks fantastic. I like the interior and I especially like the exterior. The new 3.5L V6 is a great base engine to start with--but Ford really needs to have a V8 model just because. ;)

My approval rating: 90% -- once Ford changes the name from Flex to something less stupid add +5% to my rating.
 
Toronado
Also, best use of Mach 3 ever.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. While it looks decent at best on the Fusion, the look is spot-on here on the Flex.

...I'm going to need to get used to that name... I keep on wanting to put 'Funkmaster' in front of it...

Where do you find such nostalgic pieces of 50's Americana? The only period stuff I've found of that nature is some funny anti-communism propaganda.
Click to expand...

I stumbled upon this website about a year or so ago after hearing about it on a TV show, its called Plan '59 and spends most of its time focused on artwork and photographs from the late pre-war years ('39-'41) and the post-war years ('45-'61). Its got everything from cars and trucks to trains and planes... Not to mention advertisement for housewares (there are a few that feature asbestos, ha ha!), food, and other goods and services that made up the era in which my Grandparents would likely call 'the good ol' days.'

---

Actually, the old-school Mercury Country Cruiser may be closer in look to the Flex than the Ford Country Squire...

mer59colpk.jpg


...Still, either way, they all look really cool...

Heres to hoping GM revives the Impala wagon!
 
I like the exterior. It indeed has that classic American style, with the look of old Range Rover, Scion xB, maybe even of Mini or Grand Wagoneer.

I like the overall look the interior(minus the steering wheel), but from what I can tell in the photograph, they are still going to use the same materials that they are using in the current Fords, and I'm not a big fan of them.
 
Add another person onto the list that approves. It's so much more inspired than the Freestar, and something truly unique. I really hope it does well, and if I were in that market where I had to give up on something exciting and get a van, this definitely comes above the new Caravan/T&C and... whatever all those new crossovers from GM are called.

I'll admit, a better name would help, but I really do hope Ford succeeds with this. We really don't need the Taurus X around (and it's a dumb idea anyways).
 
Well, it certainly looks like the Range Rover Sport now, doesn't it?

I showed a few of the photos to my Mother last night, and she really liked the Flex. At least from where I stand, if a middle-class, middle-aged woman likes the thing, chances are, it should have a pretty decent ammount of success... Hopefully...

It does make you wonder though... Could we push it off on Ford Europe, too?
 
YSSMAN
It does make you wonder though... Could we push it off on Ford Europe, too?
Click to expand...

Depends on how much it costs and how big it is i suppose.

From what i can make out from the discription, it looks as if it would encroach too much into Disco territory. You might prise a few Chrysler buyers out of their Voyagers, but these bigger people carriers don't really sell too well over here.
 
I like this vehicle. It's perfectly suited for hauling family while avoiding the minivan styling. I really hope things thing takes off. It looks like a cross between a mini-cooper and a land rover. Just give me one with one color. I don't like the color change for the roof and the rear hatch.
 
A chromed and wooden low-clearance SUV is supposed to be "game changing"? Somebody's been drinking the electric kool-aid. How are standard doors supposed to be more functional than sliding doors? How is a conventional petrol V6 supposed to be more economical in a heavy crossover? Why is anyone taking this seriously?

This is about as proper a replacement for the minivan as the Caliber is for the Neon. Basically, Ford gave up the minivan fight to Japan, and pulled out the usual "SUV's are kewel" crap. It's a nice design, but totally irrelevant in today's market, and a clear step backwards.
 

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