Question: Will Ford keep the Flex, and Moreover, Should it?

Ford has barely been moving half of what it predicted at the low end of annual Flex sales. However, since its platform is so spread out through the FoMoCo portfolio, the Flex helps spread some costs around while giving Ford a big people-mover. But there's more to the Flex than just being a box on wheels, and not enough people get it yet.

With the new Explorer "SUV" coming out, people are insinuating that the Flex could be put down if it can't start pulling more of its weight. Some argue that the two vehicles are much too similar, both seating seven, offering AWD, and being "aimed squarely at families".

Yes, they are family cars, but for different kinds of families. Two related products with two unique customers? My goodness, good thing Ford has a marketing division.

What the naysayers don't seem to understand is that the Flex was never meant to be anything even close to Explorer competition. Those are two entirely different stories, different books, different genres. While the Explorer is still being pimped as an SUV, the Flex is Ford's answer to "What comes after the minivan?" (There's your marketing campaign, Ford). It's a stylish, premium successor to a class of vehicle that embarrassed a generation and created the dreaded Aerostar/Windstar/Freestar lineup.

In terms of character, the Flex has a lot things going for it. It is instantly recognizable, shrugged off its class's lame-o stigma, and it isn't called a minivan. Those three "bonuses" may also be its biggest problems, making it too different from its competition.

Minivan buyers, in my experience, don't seem to be interested in much more than basic functionality with some bells and whistles thrown in; that's fine. The minivan is a great tool for getting the kids to school, the dog to the groomer, and grandma over for Sunday dinners.

These are people who - no matter what the commercials push on you - usually don't need to stand out too much. Cool parents in a Toyota Sienna? Yeah, right. Ford wanted to change all that, and therein lies the problem. It scared people away by taking that big step away from friendly territory. Now they're paying for it, with Honda and Dodge slaughtering the Flex in sales.

Personal opinion: to make the transition a little easier while retaining its heritage and remaining familiar to consumers, Ford should have kept the sliding doors. They were never the problem with the minivan: everything else was.

There's no doubt the Flex will survive in the short term; as Mark Fields says, "[The Flex] is bringing in some very, very unique customers to our brand," making it significant for the time being. But can Ford's premium tourer stick around for dessert? It's up to marketing to find and convince those minivan owners or family types who are ready to take a step beyond minivan and try something different. For the sake of automotive funk, they better.

By Phil Alex

Source: Freep

Ford Adds Top-End Titanium Model to Flex Lineup

Ford is enhancing its 2011 Flex crossover lineup with the addition of the new range-topping Titanium model. Set to arrive in U.S. showrooms later this summer, the Titanium is based on the Limited series model adding certain unique exterior and interior details as well as some new features.

It is available in a choice of four exterior colors -Red Candy, White Platinum, Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver, all of which are mated to a new Tuxedo Black two-tone roof as well as blackout treatment for headlamps and taillamps.

Other exterior features include the black chrome finish grille with "Flex" badging on the edge of the hood as well as the blackened beltline moldings, fog lamp bezels, side-view mirror skull caps and liftgate appliqué.

Finally, the Titanium rides on unique 20- inch, 10-spoke polished aluminum wheels shod in 225/45/ R20 all-season tires.

Inside, aside from the charcoal black leather-trimmed seats with gray Alcantara suede inserts, the Titanium also gets circle check appliqués on instrument panel and doors, painted alloy metallic finish on center stack and door panels, a perforated leather steering wheel and illuminated scuff plates.

Ford also added new features to the crossover's standard equipment, including HD Radio and one-touch PowerFold and tumble third row options.

The Flex Titanium is available with either a naturally aspirated 262HP 3.5-liter V6 or a 355HP 3.5-liter V6 turbocharged EcoBoost unit.

Prices (not including $775 destination charges) are set at $40,340 for the 3.5L FWD, $42,190 for the 3.5L AWD and at $45,185 for the 3.5L EcoBoost AWD model.

Ford Confirms 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost Turbo for F-150, 2.0-liter Turbo for Explorer and Edge

Over the past few months we've heard several rumors regarding the models that will get FoMoCo's EcoBoost turbocharged engines.

Now, the Detroit automaker has officially confirmed that the 2011 F-150 pickup truck will be offered with its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 upgraded for rear-wheel-drive applications, while a new 2.0-liter inline-four turbo will find its way under the hood of the next next-generation Ford Explorer SUV and Edge CUV.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost unit will be launched along with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter EcoBoost unit, which will be used initially on the European C-Max people mover, by the end of the year.

Ford said that over the next few years, it plans to equip as much as 80 percent of the firm's global nameplates and 90 percent of North American nameplates with EcoBoost.

The company added that by the end of 2012, 98 percent of its North American market vehicles will be equipped with more fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions and that by 2014, as many as 20 percent of its global nameplates will be fitted with stop/start systems.

SEMA: 2009 Ford Flex by Funkmaster Flex

Ford’s second Flex concept for the 2007 SEMA Show (see the first one here) was penned by Funkmaster Flex. The designer supports that he has handed a sense of urban luxury to Ford’s new crossover –whatever that means. Dubbed Flex2, the concept features the same “Land Rover” styled fascia, a nice Brandywine body color combined with a faux-brushed aluminium roof and 22-inch forged alloy wheels. Inside, the Flex2 is fitted with custom seat covers with alligator print inserts and stainless steel color stitching on the seats and interior along with a high-end entertainment system. -Details and pics after the jump

Press Release: Flex2 designed by Funkmaster Flex

Hip Hop guru of car customization Funkmaster Flex brings his vision of urban luxury to Ford’s newest crossover with the Flex2. His signature two-tone paint scheme is integrated cleverly into the Flex2 through a House of Kolor Kandy custom paint job that features a Brandywine body color and a unique faux-brushed aluminum roof. Flex2’s exterior design is further enhanced by custom 3dCarbon accents including fender vents, upper and lower grilles and a rear upper spoiler.

The all-black leather interior features Katzkin custom seat covers with alligator print inserts and stainless steel color stitching on the seats and interior trim. To keep the party going inside the vehicle, Funkmaster Flex added two Invision headrest-mounted DVD systems in the first and second rows, along with a JL Audio 12-inch subwoofer and amplifier to enhance the tunes.

Flex2 rolls on custom 22-inch NC Forged wheels and Cooper Zeon XST tires. With a 1-inch lowered suspension and Borla dual rolled exhaust tips, Flex2 is an urban legend in the making.

“I know what this vehicle is going to be in the urban market: It’s going to be killer!” says Funkmaster Flex. “Whether you’re flossin’ with your friends, going to the club or riding around with your girl, the Ford Flex is the next urban street vehicle, and Flex2 is my interpretation of the ultimate in street luxury.”

SEMA: 2009 Ford Flex by Chip Foose

Even though Ford’s crossover won’t go on sale before summer 2008, that didn’t deter FoMoCo from presenting a supped up version penned by custom car designer and host of the Overhaulin TV Show, Chip Foose. Before we go to any details, take a good look at the customized front-end; are our eyes playing tricks with us or did Chip Foose shamelessly copy the fascia of a Land Rover?

That aside, the customized Flex crossover with the two-tone blue and cream pearl paint job gets humongous 22-inch alloy rims and lowered Eibach springs for a more dynamic stance. Additional exterior details include painted appliqué door handles and a relocated license plate. Moving into the cabin, the Chip Foose chose to equip the Flex with three-tone blue, gray and tan premium leather surfaces by Katzkin Leather. -Continued

“When Ford called, I was quite excited to be one of the first to get my hands on the Flex,” says Foose. “I didn’t want the individual pieces I added to be the most eye-catching parts. I wanted it to look as if it came from Ford’s design studio.”