Ford Flex The Upcoming 2009
Posted by RaVeN on February 9, 2008
The Ford Flex is a full-size “people-mover” crossover SUV built by Ford that replaces the discontinued Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans. Its styling is based on the Ford Fairlane concept as introduced in the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The 2009 Flex made its debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.
Sales of the Flex are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2008 as a 2009 model. A pre-production Ford Flex was donated to the Woodhouse Family on the January 13, 2008 episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
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 refrigerator mounted between the second-row seats. A voice-activated communications and entertainment system, called Ford Sync™, includes a 2,300-song personal juke box system. The system integrates the functions of cell phones, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, compact disc, DVD and other media players, navigation systems, and a CD burner, 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.
Exterior
The Flex continues Ford’s signature chrome horizontal three-bar grille design, as seen on the Ford Edge and Ford Taurus X crossovers and the Ford Fusion and 2008 Taurus sedans. The windows and pillars appear blacked out, and the roof is available as either white, silver, or body-colored (a unique retro-cool styling touch on the otherwise modern exterior, similar to the Mini). The Flex includes LED tail lamps, 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.
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 assists the driver with maintaining control on low traction surfaces, and during emergency maneuvers. All-wheel-drive is available as an option.
Powertrain
The Flex’s 3.5-liter V6 engine is expected to produce more than 260 horsepower (194 kW) and 245 lb·ft (332 N·m) of torque, and will be paired with the 6-speed 6F automatic transmission. A 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will be introduced later in the model year with output close to 340hp 350tq. Towing capacity is expected to be 4,000-pounds. 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 (IRS).
