Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is a full-size "people-mover" crossover SUV that replaces the discontinued Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans. Its styling is based on the Ford Fairlane concept as introduced in the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

Sales of the Flex are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2008 as a 2009 model. The Flex made its debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.

Market
The Flex joins Ford's range of crossover vehicles as the Flagship. It enters the crossover vehicle market as an alternative to the traditional family-oriented minivans and sport utility vehicles. Ford made the decision to cancel production of the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, which suffered from weakening sales and profit margins, relative to competitive minivans from Chrysler and Dodge, and Asian-based automakers. As fuel prices increased in the United States, consumer preferences shifted away from truck-based SUVs towards car-based crossover utility vehicles, which tend to have better fuel economy. The Flex provides a product for the large crossover vehicle market, blending some of the people-moving capacity of the minivan, and some light cargo and trailer hauling capacity of the SUV. In price, it would slot between the Taurus X and the truck-based Explorer, while in size, it would slot between the Explorer and Expedition.
 * Ford Escape (compact SUV)
 * Ford Edge (mid-size CUV)
 * Ford Taurus X (mid-size CUV)
 * Ford Flex (full-size CUV)
 * Ford Explorer (to be a full-size CUV in 2011)

Features
(source: Ford press release materials from Media.Ford.com)

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 milti-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 sedan. 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 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 a 19-inch versions available.

Safety and security
An optional rear 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. There is a traction control system, called "AdvanceTrac" with Roll Stability Control, along with all-wheel-drive, which assists the driver with maintaining control on low traction surfaces, and during emergency maneuvers.

Powertrain
The 3.5-liter V-6 engine produces 265 horsepower and 245 ft-lb of torque, and is equipped with a 6-speed transmission, with the capablity of towing a 4,000-pound trailer. 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).