Ford Flex unveiled in New York

[adrenaline]

Ford Flex unveiled in New York

Words courtesy of Autoblog

OK, so Ford is still affixing the dreaded and meaningless "crossover" label to the Flex, but we're going to call it a station wagon - and it's the most faithful rendering of the genre to come from Detroit in over a decade.

Introduced just moments ago by J Mays (who then proceeded to stand directly in front of the vehicle for the remainder of the press conference), the Flex has a wide, long and generally low-slung appearance in person if not in photos - or maybe we're just used to the too-tall profiles that define most of the two-box shapes currently on the market. Concave strakes break up what might otherwise be an excessively slab-sided appearance, a metallic silver insert on the power rear liftgate compliments the three-bar front grill, and the two-tone paint of the displayed prototype couldn't be more appropriate. Inside, passengers get one-touch folding second and third row chairs along with a mid-mounted fridge, while the driver obtains information from a blue-backlit instrument panel.

Plenty of folks have opined that the Flex should be called the Fairlane, and while we don't disagree with that, we'd like to go one step further (and perhaps a step too far?) and suggest that it be called the Country Squire. On second thought, scratch that truly horrible idea.

Personally, I think it's great. There's been alot of positive feedback on the vehicle so far, which is a bit of a change for Ford I also like the option of a built in fridge. It reminds me a little of the Scion Xb, although bigger and more pleasing to the eyes.

High resolution gallery: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-flex/

Original Article: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/n...d-flex-debuts/

So what does UCP think of the Flex? In my opinion, they should have left the name as Fairlane.

[TVR IS KING]

What is it trying to be? It looks...like so many different cars.
And I hate it for it.
A low 4X4 with a station wagon for an arse, that's stretched out more than it should be...

[taz_rocks_miami]

Kinda looks like a Land Rover wanna be.

[adrenaline]

What is it trying to be? It looks...like so many different cars.
And I hate it for it.
A low 4X4 with a station wagon for an arse, that's stretched out more than it should be...

It may look like many different cars to you, but if you look closer, it carries signature Ford features. It draws heavily on the Fairlane concept, it has a Taurus X/ Edge face, three bar corporate grille and heavy flares.

It's a people hauler that isn't trying to hide what it is. That's why I like it

[Rockefella]

I think this would sell, rather well too.

[TVR IS KING]

It's a people hauler that isn't trying to hide what it is. That's why I like it

It's trying to be a 4x4! Or a 7 seat Lowrider! Or both! Or an SUV! Or something.

[adrenaline]

It's trying to be a 4x4! Or a 7 seat Lowrider! Or both! Or an SUV! Or something.

Ford calls it a "crossover", so they are acknowledging the fact that it should look SUV-esque (but based on car architecture). I think it just looks 4x4-ish because of the rather large flares.

[john14]

Well, BMW X5 owners and Subaru Tribeca owners certainly do not have to worry about owning the ugliest SUV anymore. I think it is an SUV but a bunch of Ford "suits" decided to call this a crossover.

Ford never learn, that's why they made a net loss of more than $10 billion last year. Meanwhile, most of the Asian car manufacturing companies (especially the Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda) are making great profits, they are laughing all the way to the bank.

[fpv_gtho]

They should lose the stupid chrome wheels. Im also glad they lost the Fairlane name. That name belongs on the non SUV type land barge.

[henk4]

what an appropriate car in this day and age.....

[Spastik_Roach]

All things considered, that looks like a wonderfully designed interior in terms of space and all that. Looks like its utilised every inch of interior space. Certainly looks like a nice space to spend your time in.

[Ferrer]

what an appropriate car in this day and age.....

That's the best definition for it probably.

[adrenaline]

Well, BMW X5 owners and Subaru Tribeca owners certainly do not have to worry about owning the ugliest SUV anymore. I think it is an SUV but a bunch of Ford "suits" decided to call this a crossover.

Ford never learn, that's why they made a net loss of more than $10 billion last year. Meanwhile, most of the Asian car manufacturing companies (especially the Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda) are making great profits, they are laughing all the way to the bank.

You need to know the industry before you blame a $10 billion loss on designs. $9.9 billion of $12.7 billion in losses was due to buyouts alone. Alot of the remainder was due to weak F series sales, as a result of petrol prices. American automakers also have to put up with healthcare - an issue the foreigners don't have to worry about.

This is what the foreigners are "laughing all the way to the bank with" --

Honda Odyssey:


Toyota Sienna:



Now compare those with the Ford Flex:


I know which one I would buy

[henk4]

I know which one I would buy

the one with the sliding rear doors?

[Ferrer]

I know which one I would buy

The Renault Espace?