Ford Flex - Text Category

Sometimes the Choices are So Good You Can’t Pick Just One

Thursday, December 24th, 2009
flex award_wm

fusion hybrid award_wm

The 2010 Ford Flex and the award-winning 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid have been named 2010 All-Stars by AUTOMOBILE Magazine, one of America's leading automotive lifestyle publications.

The AUTOMOBILE Magazine All-Stars are chosen by the AUTOMOBILE Magazine staff, its worldwide bureau chiefs and its contributors, following an intensive test drive of the year's most innovative and important new cars. Winners are selected based on design, value and performance, driving enjoyment and the vehicle's ability to redefine an existing category or create a new market segment.

The 2010 Ford Flex: Turning heads today and tomorrow
This year marks the second consecutive win for the Ford Flex. Last year, AUTOMOBILE Magazine described the 2009 model as a "class act among people movers."

In addition to being named one of AUTOMOBILE Magazine's 2010 All-Stars, the 2010 Ford Flex was recently singled out for the 2009 "Collectible Vehicle of the Future" award from the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC). Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, predict Flex will be the vehicle most likely to turn heads at the Woodward Dream Cruise of 2034. Ford's unique crossover has been turning heads since its introduction in 2007.

For 2010, the Flex offers outstanding fuel economy in the full-size crossover segment with 17 mpg city/24 highway and an unsurpassed 20 mpg combined. It also offers a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, an auto-fold 60/40 second-row split bench seat, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and the Ford-exclusive MyKey™ technology, which allows owners to program a maximum top speed – and radio volume – to encourage safe operation by teen drivers.

Banner year for 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2009 has been a banner year for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. In addition to being named one of AUTOMOBILE Magazine's 2010 All-Stars, America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan was honored as one of CAR and DRIVER magazine's "10Best" cars for 2010, and the entire Fusion lineup captured the prestigious MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award. The Fusion Hybrid also is a finalist for North American Car of the Year.

Despite the slump in overall industry sales, Fusion sales are at an all-time high for 2009, with the Fusion Hybrid accounting for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. And more than 60 percent of Fusion sales have been to customers coming from import brands – mostly Toyota and Honda.

Additional awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid include:

  • "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

  • 2009 Ward's Interior of the Year Special Achievement Award for Best Graphic Display for SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster

  • Great Car for the Long-haul Salesman by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com

  • Named one of America's Top 40 New Cars by MOTOR TREND magazine

  • Rated the No. 1 Hybrid Family Sedan by CAR and DRIVER in a recent comparison test by the magazine

  • Named 2009 Editors Choice for Fuel Sipper by CAR and DRIVER

  • Named Best Hybrid for the Money in the Midsize Car segment by cars.com

  • Named one of 2009 Top 10 Green Cars by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com

  • Earned The Detroit News Readers' Choice Award for "Best Value"

Quotes
"The level of excellence found during our annual All-Stars competition was at an all-time high and the competition was strong, despite the auto industry coming off its worst year in recent history. We whittled down a list of 39 finalists to the 10 All-Stars, and the end results produced a list of true standouts."
– Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine

"For 2010, Ford has equipped the Flex with its much-anticipated EcoBoost™ engine, thereby addressing the Flex's only weakness – power – and effectively transforming it from a well-rounded family hauler into a large sport wagon. The Flex is unique in a market brimming with compromised, look-alike utility vehicles and is one of the best-handling full-size crossovers on the market."
– Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine

"Its very ordinariness is what makes the Fusion Hybrid an AUTOMOBILE Magazine All-Star. The Fusion Hybrid is not a performance machine, but neither does it feel hobbled or inadequate for daily driving. Perhaps the best thing about it is that, apart from the LCD color screens, you might never know you're driving a hybrid."
– Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine


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Now, That’s What We Call a Hat Trick!

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Ford Flex

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, Flex and Shelby GT500® – everybody wants these vehicles, including the editors of Edmunds Inside Line. For the 2010 Inside Line Editors Most Wanted Awards, F-150 SVT Raptor and Flex with EcoBoost™ snagged honors for Overall Excellence, and Shelby GT500 was named this year’s Instant Classic.

The awards are chosen, quite simply, as the name states – they’re the vehicles the editors of the magazine want the most. The only stipulation is that they must have been tested by the magazine before Nov. 1. Then the editors gather together to vote on which vehicles they would be willing to spend their own money on.

About the winners
The 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor was designed as a purpose-built, high-speed off-road truck ready for adventure, and it’s also versatile enough to handle the daily commute. Key enablers to Raptor’s exceptional performance are functional design cues and impressive suspension technology. Internal triple bypass shocks by FOX Racing Shox – the first on a production truck – provide position-sensitive damping and extra suspension travel for extreme high-speed off-roading and a smooth ride on the road.

Ford F150 Raptor

Ford Flex turns heads with its distinctive design and its available twin-turbocharged direct-injected 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. This all-new engine gives Flex the power and performance feel of a V-8 with the fuel economy of a standard V-6. It’s not just the room for seven and myriad interior storage options that have Flex owners raving. Flex is also packed with available innovative, class-leading technology solutions.

Ford Mustang

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers the most power and refinement ever for a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang – and a few surprises, too. The more powerful 2010 Shelby GT500 has horsepower increased to 540 and torque increased to 510 ft.-lb., as well as downforce increased and drag reduced. New gearbox enhancements plus a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio mean the 2010 Shelby GT500 will deliver improved acceleration performance while providing better highway fuel efficiency – up to 2 mpg compared to the 2009 model.

Quotes
“Instead of awarding five sports cars every year, we award a mix of vehicles that people need every day. We feel that the Flex with EcoBoost and F-150 SVT Raptor are affordable vehicles that anyone would be proud to drive – they stand out amongst their peers for 2010. The Shelby GT500 is a vehicle with a certain timelessness to engineering and design that people will appreciate for decades to come. We think it’s the car we’ll be shopping for on eBay for years and years.”
– Scott Oldham, Editor-in-chief of Edmunds Inside Line
“We’re honored that three of our vehicles were chosen. These three vehicles are shining examples of our exciting lineup, and we’re always gratified when the media take notice.”
– Ken Czubay, Ford Vice President, Marketing

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5 Minutes for Mom Thinks the Flex is the Perfect “Mom Car”

Friday, May 29th, 2009

5 Minutes for Mom Provides Three-part Series Detailing its Ford Flex Test Drive Experience


Erica Mueller, a writer for 5 Minutes for Mom and founder of Green-Parents.com, took the Ford Flex for a test drive and wrote a three-part series detailing her test drive experience. Erica’s posts give you an in-depth view of the car with a few slide shows and videos showing her perspective on what makes the Flex the perfect “mom car”.

“In a word, the Ford Flex is Impressive. Everything about this vehicle reflects the thought and hard work Ford put into making the Flex their best crossover-SUV!”

Check out her three part series on 5 Minutes for Mom:
The Excitement http://www.5minutesformom.com/6228/ford-flex-excitement/
The Expectations http://www.5minutesformom.com/6230/ford-flex-expectations/
The Experience http://www.5minutesformom.com/6240/ford-flex-experience/



Photo Credit: Erica Mueller

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Busy Dad and his Mom Take on Vegas (and win) in the Ford Flex

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Busy Dad Takes Family Trip to Vegas in Ford Flex


When we contacted Jim Lin, of Busy Dad about taking a spring break trip in the Ford Flex, he had a pretty special trip already in mind. Jim’s mom was competing in the Ballroom Dance Nationals in Las Vegas and he needed a vehicle to get him and his family there to support her while she was competing in the finals. She ended up winning two medals and Jim and his family got to Vegas in style!

“My Favorite Thing: The fridge in the middle console. So you lose a potential seat with the fridge, but I would gladly tie an extra passenger to the roofrack to be able to enjoy a cold beverage whenever I want to. Especially in LA, where traffic and heat are a daily challenge. It even has freeze mode -- perfect for keeping specimens from field trips that didn't make the drive home and are starting to smell.

Overall, I have to say I really like the Ford Flex. I wouldn't give up my current car to have one, but my wife would. And has been asking for one ever since Vegas. “

Read the rest of Jim’s review on Busy Dad and check out the six minute video he put together about his experience. If MTV’s Pimp My Ride needs a new video editor, Jim is your guy ;-). http://www.busydadblog.com/entries/your-momma-dont-dance-but-mine.html


Video thumbnail. Click to play
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Photo Credit: Jim Lin, Busy Dad

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City Mama Takes a Road Trip to Oregon in a Ford Flex

Friday, May 29th, 2009

City Mama Says Ford Might Become the “New” American Auto Industries First Success Story After Taking a Ford Flex for a Spin




Photo Credit: Stefania Pomponi Butler, City Mama

Stefania Pomponi Butler (a.k.a City Mama) recently tested the family-friendly features in the Ford Flex on a spring break road trip to Oregon. As a gadget enthusiast , Stephania loved the AC and USB outlets, the Sony Stereo system and the built-in refrigerator, but more importantly she felt that Ford might become the “new” American Auto industries first success story:

“Despite suffering it's worst quarter ever, Ford is a company that is projecting tiny glimmers of hope. If Ford believes in its products enough to put them in the hands of users for honest, unfettered reviews, then that counts for something. They aren't controlling the message or the conversation, and that makes me believe that perhaps they will be listening to feedback from their consumers' (potential and otherwise). Isn't it about time some of these companies started listening? If Ford is going to sell their cars, they'd better be the ones that consumers want. (This consumer wants a leaner, greener, safe car. Not just a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid. And let's talk renewable energy sources while we're at it.)

As far as I can tell, Ford is the only car company that is letting "the people" participate in the future of the company and Ford keeps it up, they just might be the first success story of the new automobile industry.”

Check out her post, http://citymama.typepad.com/citymamasstuff/2009/04/ford-flex-with-cars-like-this-ford-just-might-be-the-new-auto-industrys-first-success-story.html

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A Mama’s Rant Takes the Flex on Spring Break

Friday, May 29th, 2009

A Mama’s Rant Drives a Ford Flex During Spring Break and Tests Out Some of its Family-Friendly Features




Anne-Marie from A Mama’s Rant drove the Flex during her child’s spring break and tested out some of its family friendly features. She determined that the Flex wasn’t quite right for her family’s lifestyle since she only had two children and didn’t need ALL the space, but Anne-Marie did write a very thorough review so you should check it out to see if it might be a good fit for your family’s driving needs! http://www.amamasrant.com/a_mamas_rant/2009/04/ford-flex-mom-road-test.html

Photo Credit: Ford http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordmotorcompany/1805189322/in/set-72157603992936709/

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Daddy Types Takes Ford Flex for a Test Drive

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Daddy Types Learns a Station Wagon Can Change One’s Life


Greg Allen of Daddy Types, a blog for new dads, took the Ford Flex for a spin to pre-school and said “I took it out for 30 minutes this morning, and I can say without qualification that it changed my life. Instead of walking, I drive the kid to preschool. Though the Flex looks like a station wagon from the outside, inside it feels like an SUV. The doors lock automatically as you roll off.”

Greg also appreciated the easy clean up of the Flex after a small accident with some syrup .You can check out his review of this feature and others :
http://daddytypes.com/2009/04/10/its_true_a_station_wagon_will_change_your_life.php

Ford Flex

Photo Credit: Greg Allen, Daddy Types



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ECOBOOST ADDS MORE VERSATILITY TO FLEX

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

2010 Ford Flex with available 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy.



Ecoboost Adds More Versatility to Flex

The first gasoline direct-injection twin-turbocharged engine produced in North America, the 2010 EcoBoost Flex boasts segment-leading fuel economy among full-size performance crossover vehicles with 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. In fact, the all-new engine gives Flex V-8 power and performance feel with the fuel economy of a V-6, saving customers money. Due to Ford’s significant technological advancements, customers can benefit from fuel efficiency with the seamless power delivery they expect from Flex.

Here are some key facts about Ford Flex and EcoBoost


  • The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers an impressive 355 horsepower and a responsive 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range, simultaneously giving Ford Flex the power of a normally aspirated 4.6-liter V-8 while enjoying V-6 fuel efficiency.


  • The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine requires all-wheel drive and will be available on well-equipped SEL and Limited models of the 2010 Flex, packaged with several high-demand customer features.


  • The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is the first in a wave of EcoBoost engines coming from Ford as part of a strategy to bring major fuel-efficiency improvements to millions.


  • The key to the EcoBoost system is the harmony between the twin turbochargers and the direct injection fuel system. The turbochargers recover energy from the exhaust that otherwise would’ve been wasted and put it back in the engine to gain efficiency.


  • By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford’s North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost.






Quotes

“We are committed to delivering fuel economy leadership in every new vehicle. We do this with affordable technology that can be applied to the widest number of vehicles. EcoBoost is an important component of that goal. The beauty of EcoBoost is that it enables us to downsize for fuel efficiency, yet boost for power. We’re able to decrease the size of the available engine – such as installing a V-6 versus a V-8 – yet boost the power using turbocharging to deliver similar power and torque of that larger engine.”
- Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group President of Global Product Development

“We know that there are customers who are looking for the power and performance of a traditional V-8 but are not willing to sacrifice this for fuel economy. No one else in this segment offers this level of performance and versatility, and when you wrap it up in Flex’s unique package, we believe that it will offer a compelling buy in the crossover segment.”
- Kate Pearce, Flex Marketing Manager

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Nelly’s New Ford Flex

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Friends Surprise Nelly with Big Birthday Bash in Sin City





With two Grammies, 30 million records sold, his latest album, Brass Knuckles, hot on the charts, a fashionable clothing line, a basketball team, a charitable foundation, and a big screen credit in “Longest Yard,” Nelly deserves to kick back and enjoy his many successes. To his surprise he was treated to a birthday bash from his friends at Lavo in Las Vegas. Nelly was also presented with a customized Ford FLEX crossover vehicle designed especially for him and a replica cake of his new car.

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NEW FLEX APP ENABLES IPHONE USERS TO ENHANCE PHOTOS

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

All-new 2009 Ford Flex features a mini photo shop-like application for iPhone and iPod touch users.



Flex iPhone App

Appealing to tech-savvy consumers, Ford has partnered with software developer, the Tao Agency, to create the Ford Photo Lab, which allows iPhone users to add dynamic effects, apply filters to improve picture quality and manipulate their digital photos.

Once users enter the Flex Photo Lab “Darkroom,” they will be able to add one or more of the following filters to their photos:

Kaleidoscope: Tilt, twist or touch your iPhone to change photo patterns and colors.
Brightness/Contrast: Touch up or down to adjust brightness; left or right for contrast.
Hue/Saturation: Touch up or down to adjust hue; left or right for saturation.
Electric Lines: Touch to draw intense glowing lines on your photo.
Spot Burner: Touch to darken, or burn, select areas of your photo.
Spot Lighter: Touch to lighten select areas of your photo.

As well, with Ford Photo Lab users can “Discover Flex” by accessing 360-degree exterior and interior views, vehicle information and a photo gallery. Ford Photo Lab integrates a “Locate the Flex” feature that uses iPhone Mapping to help Flex customers find the nearest Ford dealer.

Quotes

“Flex consumers love new technology, and we know that a lot of them have iPhones, so we wanted to offer them a free application that is both a cool and useful tool. There are only a handful of applications out there that provide users with these unique filters, and ours is free.”
- Usha Raghavachari, Ford Crossover Marketing Communications Manager

“The application behaves essentially like the iPhone itself. You manipulate the photos the same way by scrolling, pinching and tilting using the unique iPhone features.”
- Jeff Schamanek, Vice President, Emerging Trends, Wunderman

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Ford Leads with Most ‘Top Safety Picks’

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Ford Leads All Automakers with Most 'Top Safety Picks', Besting Honda in IIHS Crash Tests



2009 Ford Flex

Ford Motor Company has earned more "Top Safety Pick" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) than any other automaker with a total of 16 to date. Ford surpassed its closest rival Honda this week when four of its 2009 models – Ford Flex, Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Milan – achieved “Top Safety Pick” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ford also has more 5-star government crash test ratings than any other automaker.

How They Get Picked

To earn IIHS’s "Top Safety Pick," vehicles must earn the top "good" ratings in the institute’s high-speed front and side crash tests, and a rear crash test simulation that evaluates seat and head restraints. An added requirement since 2007 is that vehicles also must offer electronic stability control.

Helping Drivers Maintain Control

Flex, MKS, Fusion and Milan excelled in each of the institute’s crash tests, and AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control is available for each vehicle. The safety system uses sensors to detect and measure yaw, or side-to-side skidding conditions, by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When AdvanceTrac® senses wheel slip, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied where needed to help the driver keep the car tracking on its intended path. IIHS has stated that "AdvanceTrac significantly reduces crash risk by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency maneuvers."

Structural Strength Is a Safety Fundamental

Flex, MKS, Fusion and Milan get some of their core strength from the use of lightweight aluminum-coated boron steel – one of the strongest weld-able materials – in the body structure. The use of high-strength steel in the B-pillars is only part of their robust safety profile. Ford engineers also located the side door intrusion beams to help manage and absorb energy during side impact crashes.

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Flex Aerodynamics

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Flex Design is Fuel Conscious



Flex Aerodynamics

Flex’s more square-shaped design cues surprisingly improve Flex’s aerodynamic performance, which translates to better fuel economy. To maintain 55 mph, the Flex needs only 8.90 horsepower while the nearest competitors in the full-size crossover segment – the GMC Acadia and Toyota Highlander – require more than 9.30 horsepower. Moreover, the Flex’s coefficient of drag is significantly better than all of its Asian competitors. Flex tests at 0.355 coefficient of drag while the competitors are at 0.375.

The Flex’s standout aerodynamics equates to one mile per gallon improvement in fuel economy. Overall, the Flex achieves 24 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 miles per gallon in city driving.

Some of the features that contribute to Flex’s aero advantage:

  • The more square-shaped design of the front bumper sweep and headlamps

  • Flex’s wide low-riding stance, which gave engineers the ability to reduce ride height by almost an inch for a ground clearance of 130 millimeters – the standard for most Ford cars.




Quote: “The overall design of the Flex, from its low-riding stance to its box-like body shape has actually worked to our aero advantage. Its low coefficient of drag amounts to significant gains in fuel economy.” Wayne Koester, Ford aerodynamic engineer.

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Ford Flex Digital Animation

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Ford Brings Virtual Technology to the Web



Flex

Ford is reaching out to Internet-savvy Ford Flex customers by bringing the all-new Ford Flex to life on the web in a way that is as innovative as the vehicle itself. Through the use of high-tech, computer-generated imagery, consumers who visit the Flex website through www.fordvehicles.com can now experience the Flex in ways that could never be achieved with traditional photography.

CAD Data Replaces Photography
Using CAD-based (Computer-Aided Design) engineering data, Ford has created three 60-second digital animations that give a completely virtual three-dimensional tour of the interior, exterior and safety features of the Ford Flex. A fourth animation on vehicle handling will launch later this summer.

“When you shoot a vehicle with regular photography, you are limited with what you can show,” said Scott Kelly, Ford digital marketing manager. “When you use CAD data you can show and do just about anything.”

According to Kelly, Ford leads the industry in its use of virtual technology.

“Other automakers are offering video displays or interactive 360-degree vehicle views,” he said. “But no one is using computer-generated imagery to the extent that we are.”

Sizing Up a Virtual Flex
The Flex Web site also features an interactive component that allows visitors to literally “size up” the Ford Flex. Using the online tool, viewers can line the Ford Flex up to different objects, such as people, parking meters, and other vehicles to get an idea of how big -- or small -- the vehicle actually is.

“One of the biggest misconceptions consumers have about the Ford Flex is that it is either too big or too small,” said Eric Peterson, Ford Communications. “This tool enables them to get a sense of its true size.”

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MADE IN OAKVILLE

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

The 2009 Ford Flex is set to roll off the Oakville Assembly line.



Mark Fields At The 2009 Ford Flex Celebration

At the official launch ceremony on June 3, 2008, Ford announced that its Ford Oakville Assembly Complex (OAC) will be adding 500 new jobs to keep up with the demand for the popular Ford Flex, which arrives in dealerships this summer. Crossover vehicles are part of the fastest-growing vehicle segment in North American this decade.

With a portfolio that includes Ford Flex, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, Ford crossover growth in North American is the fastest in the industry for the last two years.

In the U.S., Ford Edge was the best-selling mid-size crossover in 2007 and is to date in 2008. In Canada, the crossover segment grew 89 percent in 2007 versus the previous year, and Ford of Canada sold more crossovers than any other manufacturer.

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EasyFuel Capless Fuel-Filler System

Monday, May 5th, 2008

Ford makes filling up easier



2009 Ford F-150 FX4

The EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System eliminates the gas tank screw cap for more simple fuel fill ups. No more gas odor on hands or gloves, or the unwanted amber dash light because the gas cap wasn't screwed on tightly enough.
In addition to eliminating these hassles, EasyFuel helps reduce evaporative emissions that create smog and contribute to global warming. Spring-loaded tabs pull back a flap in the filler neck when the pump nozzle is inserted. When fueling is complete, and the nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

EasyFuel™ was introduced on the 2008 Ford Explorer. It will be standard equipment on the new Ford F-150, Flex and Lincoln MKS in 2009. The system will be offered on the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury product line by 2010.

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SIRIUS TRAVEL LINK

Monday, May 5th, 2008

Customers get up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content at their fingertips.



SIRIUS technology

SIRIUS Travel Link™ technology provides customers with a valuable tool that can be used daily to get just-in-time details about traffic, current weather conditions, gasoline prices, movie theater details and sports updates. The system will be available on several 2009 models including Ford Flex, F-150, and Lincoln MKS.

Specifically, Travel Link delivers:

Fuel Prices – Customers can pinpoint and organize fuel options from over 120,000 gas stations alphabetically, by distance or by price.

Movies - With Travel Link, Ford owners can access film times, theater locations, ratings and run length details from over 4,500 movie theaters.

Sports - NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, NCAAF, NCAAB, and golf scores and schedules are now at customers’ fingertips. Drivers and passengers can customize Travel Link to provide info from selected teams.

Traffic Data – Now drivers can avoid traffic jams with SIRIUS Travel Link’s instant access to real-time traffic speed and flow data with accident and incident updates.

Weather - SIRIUS Travel Link allows Ford customers to stay on top of invaluable weather information including current conditions, five-day forecasts, coast-to-coast weather data and detailed storm cell information, hurricane and tropical storm tracking, local wind speeds, and even ski resort conditions.

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NEW F-FAMILY SEATS DEBUT IN FORD FLEX

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

In-house seat design ensures comfort and quality.



2009 Ford Flex - Detail

Instead of outsourcing seat design, the automotive industry norm, Ford created a dedicated seat engineering team within its Body Engineering division. Three Ford engineers – Qin Pan, Joanna Rakowska and Michael Medoro – spent months working with sophisticated virtual technology to design in-house vehicle seating that maximized both comfort and quality.

For the Ford Flex, the objective was to reflect the quiet luxury of the interior by reducing seat vibration. Using real-world road surface data, the Ford engineers could design mass dampers to counter a variety of road surfaces far earlier than ever before in the development stage.

While the new in-house seating technology has immediate benefits for Flex customers, soon the acquired learning building the F-Family Seats will be applied to a range of Ford vehicles from the Ford Focus to the new Ford F-150.

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FLEX’S “COOL” INNOVATION

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

Flex’s new integrated fridge cools 40 percent faster than home refrigerator.



2009 Flex console

When designing the Ford Flex’s new in-vehicle refrigerator, Ford engineering created a cooling and freezing unit that not only performed as well as a standard home refrigerator, but was 40 percent faster. In freeze mode the refrigerator unit can chill two half-liter bottles of water from a room temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) to 41 degrees F (5 degrees C) in just two and a half hours.

While compact, the cooling unit holds seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles, two 20-ounce bottles or various fruits and vegetables. Hermetically sealed and well insulated, the refrigeration compartment keeps beverages or food cold, allowing no more than an 18 degree F (10 degree C) temperature rise over 175 minutes, just a few minutes short of three hours.

The Ford Flex’s new compressor-driven cooler offers customers the option of cooling or freezing, and eliminates the need for bulky post-purchase add-on refrigeration units. By maintaining the same outward console appearance with or without the fridge option, the Ford team designed a back seat console with no compromise to interior design integrity.

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URBAN ROOF ART

Thursday, March 27th, 2008

Flex roofs as creative canvas to create “Cool Lids” by NY artist Tristan Eaton



Tristan Eaton

Visitors to the New York International Auto Show were witness to a live art performance by street artist and commercial illustrator Tristan Eaton. Throughout the opening weekend Tristan Eaton, founder of the creative agency ThunderDog Studios, used the Flex’s White Suede roof option to create colorful urban art pieces.

Show-goers watched the 29-year-old transform three full-size, sheet metal stampings of the Flex roof. The resulting one-of-a-kind “Cool Lid” art pieces will be on display in Ford’s Flex Studio Gallery from March 21st to 30th, 2008, joining three other previous creations.

The Tristan Eaton event was designed to build on the concept that the Ford Flex is a highly adaptable crossover vehicle that can be customized through a range of factory options including nine paint colors, two-tone roof, all-wheel drive, a multi-panel Vista roof and many other personalized choices.

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Usha Raghavachari quote – Tristan Eaton

Thursday, March 27th, 2008
"Tristan Eaton’s art is as fresh and provocative as the new Flex. Flex is like nothing else on the road. It stands out, just like Tristan. You never know where his style will turn up next, but it’s going to turn heads and change minds, just like Flex."
Usha Raghavachari, Ford CUV Marketing Communications Manager

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Anthony Prozzi Quote – Ford Flex

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
"Look at how a person picks out a suit or a piece of furniture, reflects their personalities. If a person has a certain style about them, they don’t check it at their car door, it carries from their office to their wardrobe to their briefcase to their cell phone or PDA. The boundaries between automotive design, fashion, and industrial design are blurred."
Anthony Prozzi, Ford Flex Interior Designer

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Peter Horbury Quote – Ford Flex

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
"The third row is roomy enough for any passenger. Nobody travels coach-class in this vehicle."
Peter Horbury, Executive Director of Design, Ford

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J Mays Quote – Ford Flex

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
"Imbuing a seven-passenger vehicle with some emotion is a tall order… [but] the Ford Flex is a stunner."
J Mays, Ford’s Group Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer

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Fashion Forward Flex

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

Fashion designer Anthony Prozzi brings stylish new look to the Flex.



2009 Ford Flex - Fashion

As consumers become more and more sophisticated in their tastes, vehicles are no longer simply in the realm of mobility; today’s customers view vehicles as fashion statements that reflect their lifestyle. The Ford Flex is a convergence of form, function and fashion.

Former high-profile fashion designer, Anthony Prozzi, has drawn on his wealth of experience to create a luxurious upscale look for the Ford Flex. Working with the Ford design team, the New York born-and-bred designer, who has worked as a designer at DKNY and was also a contributing editor at W magazine, created a stylish interior with a fresh combination of colors, textures and materials that directly mirrors how we dress today.

The seating is one of the areas that Prozzi considers “Oscar winning.” Inspired by the timeless appeal of the tweed jacket, Prozzi incorporated a Harris tweed on the panels and seating fabric of the base model. For customers looking to show their appreciation for sophisticated fashion, the luxury model incorporates diamond perforated leather seating with stitching that connotes a fine pinstriped suit.

Another fashionable element in the Ford Flex is the center stack design, or cockpit integrated display – the low-gloss metallic paint gives it an understated elegance with just a bit of jewelry-inspired sparkle. To deliver on the concept that “space is the new luxury” Prozzi created a single visual line that traverses the vehicle’s interior, pushing out the surface and giving the Flex a horizontal flow.

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Your Custom Flex

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

Customers can customize their Flex – from rims to paint and beyond.



2009 Ford Flex - Detail

The clean, simple and yet bold exterior of the 2009 Ford Flex will impress everyone on the road with its signature horizontal three-bar chrome grille, chrome-outlined tail lamps, and bright aluminum wheels. With nine paint colors to choose from, customers can stay with a monochromatic theme or go for two-tone look with a roof in either White Suede or Brilliant Silver.

The Ford Flex is a highly adaptable, highly personalized vehicle, offering an extensive list of available features designed to meet the needs of its drivers. These factory options include:
  • 19 or 20 inch aluminum wheels
  • HID headlights
  • LED taillights
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power liftgate
  • Rearview camera
  • Multi-panel Vista roof
  • Family entertainment system
  • Voice-activated navigation



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Customer-Inspired Innovation

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

The Flex is loaded with innovative features.



2009 Ford Flex - Detail

The 2009 Ford Flex is designed with customer comfort in mind. That’s why there are numerous features that are exclusive to its crossover class – all of them inspired by customer demand.

A refrigerator that cools.
Mounted between the second-row captain’s chairs, this class-leading feature doesn’t just keep cool beverages cold, it can cool up to seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in just more than two-and-one-half hours.

Ambient lighting.
Flex owners can tailor program seven-color ambient lighting to their mood with the flick of a switch. Customers can change the lighting on two LEDs mounted on the front console, two on the footwells and two around the cup holders.

Capless fuel filler system.
Ford Flex owners will never again forget to put the gas cap back on after fueling. The capless filler system also provides a better seal, cutting down on smog-forming emissions.

Voice activated hands-free in-car communications.
The Ford Sync™ voice-activated, in-car communications and entertainment system allows for hands-free use of mobile phones and media players by the driver. An available voice-activated navigation system offers real-time traffic and weather information, a 23,000-song personal jukebox.

Sirius Satellite Radio with Travel Link™
Flex owners and passengers get up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through Ford SIRIUS Travel Link’s uninterrupted, coast-to-coast coverage. Drivers can avoid highway and road congestion with real-time traffic flow and accident reports, or access fuel prices from over 120,000 gas stations. The SIRIUS Travel Link system also provides detailed weather information, sports scores and schedules, as well as movie listings from over 4,500 theaters.

Ford’s exclusive second-generation door-entry keypad.
The flat-panel, backlit keypad, which is housed in the Flex’s black B pillars, eliminates the need for door-mounted buttons. By simply entering a five-digit code, customers can unlock doors, disarm the alarm system and disable the auto-lock function.

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Flex Seating

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

Ample seating and storage for every situation.



2009 Ford Flex - Detail

The three rows of seats in the seven-passenger 2009 Ford Flex can be configured to meet any and all traveling needs. No matter how the interior space is used, there is always plenty of legroom, ensuring that no one travels “coach-class” in the Flex.

The interior of the Flex takes its inspiration from fashion and furniture design; stylish details include tweed-like seat fabric and inserts in a hounds-tooth pattern. The Flex isn’t just good-looking; the interior is all about comfort and convenience, too.

The second and third row seats are slightly higher than the one in front, meaning that the view is terrific from every seat. Flex owners can choose to get a second-row bench, or captain’s chairs, with or without a center console. Transporting large or bulky items? No need to worry; every seat (except the driver’s seat) folds flat, and even the footrest is stowable.

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Quiet Confidence

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

Ford Flex owners enjoy the sound of silence with a powerful ride.



2009 Ford Flex

Drivers and passengers will love that every aspect of the 2009 Ford Flex was designed with reduced noise and vibration in mind. The independent rear suspension system allows for better tuning, the 6-millimeter thick windshield cuts wind and powertrain noise, and specially selected tires make road sounds nearly unnoticeable.

Driving is a real pleasure with the powerful and confident road manners of the 2009 Ford Flex. The 3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, 60-degree V-6 engine has more than 260 horsepower and 245 lb.-feet of torque. For drivers this translates into smooth driving and easy lane changes. This powertrain, including a six-speed transmission allows the Flex towing capacity exceeding 4,000 lbs. An available intelligent AWD system can anticipate wheel slip before it happens.

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