Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Lotus Exige GT3 Concept

2007-04-22T09:22:59Z

166.82.202.56:

Lotus Exige GT3 Concept

2007-04-22T09:22:03Z

166.82.202.56:

Ford Flex

2007-04-21T08:56:15Z

166.82.202.56:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Ford-Flex.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Ford Flex'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Ford]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| {{{2009- }}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| {{{Class}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| {{{Body-Style}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| {{{length - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| {{{Width - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| {{{Height - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| {{{wheelbase - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| {{{Weight - you get the point}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| {{{transmission + drive}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| {{{engine}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| {{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| {{{similar (competition)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| {{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}
|}
The '''[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] Flex''' is a full-size "people-mover" [[crossover SUV]] that replaces the discontinued [[Ford Freestar|Freestar]] and [[Ford Freestar#Mercury Monterey version|Mercury Monterey]] [[minivan]]s. Its styling is based on the [[Ford Fairlane (North America)|Ford Fairlane]] [[concept car|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 <ref> {{cite web
| authorlink = Inside Line
| title = 2007 New York Auto Show Preview: Production Version of Ford Fairlane To Be Christened "Flex"
| date = March 26, 2007
| url = http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=120123
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-03-26 }} </ref>.
The Flex made its debut at the 2007 [[New York International Auto Show]] <ref> {{cite web
| authorlink = Auto123.com
| title = The Ford Flex, a.k.a. Fairlane, to debut in New York
| date = March 24, 2007
| url = http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/news,view.spy?artid=79129&pg=1
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-03-24 }} </ref>.

==Market==
The Flex joins Ford's range of crossover vehicles as the [[flagship vehicles|flagship]]:
* [[Ford Escape]] ([[compact SUV]])
* [[Ford Edge]] (mid-size [[Crossover SUV|CUV]])
* [[Ford Taurus X]] (mid-size CUV/[[Station wagon|wagon]])
* '''Ford Flex''' (full-size CUV)
It enters the crossover vehicle market as an alternative to the traditional family-oriented [[minivan]]s and [[sport utility vehicle]]s. 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 [[Ford Taurus X|Taurus X]] and the truck-based [[Ford Explorer|Explorer]], while in size, it would slot between the [[Ford Explorer|Explorer]] and [[Ford Expedition|Expedition]].

==Features==
(source: Ford press release materials from Media.Ford.com) <ref> [http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=25820 Ford Press Release material on Ford Flex] - dated 4 April 2007 </ref>

===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 (North America)|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).

== References ==
<references/>

=External links=
*[http://www.fordvehicles.com/flex/ Offical Ford Flex website] at FordVehicles.com

{{Ford}}
{{Modern North American Ford trucks}}

[[Category:Ford vehicles|Flex]]
[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]
[[Category:Ford D3 platform]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:2000s automobiles]]

Ford Flex

2007-04-21T08:55:27Z

166.82.202.56:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Ford-Flex.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Ford Flex'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Ford]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| {{{2009- (optional)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| {{{Class}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| {{{Body-Style}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| {{{length - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| {{{Width - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| {{{Height - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| {{{wheelbase - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| {{{Weight - you get the point}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| {{{transmission + drive}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| {{{engine}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| {{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| {{{similar (competition)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| {{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}
|}
The '''[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] Flex''' is a full-size "people-mover" [[crossover SUV]] that replaces the discontinued [[Ford Freestar|Freestar]] and [[Ford Freestar#Mercury Monterey version|Mercury Monterey]] [[minivan]]s. Its styling is based on the [[Ford Fairlane (North America)|Ford Fairlane]] [[concept car|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 <ref> {{cite web
| authorlink = Inside Line
| title = 2007 New York Auto Show Preview: Production Version of Ford Fairlane To Be Christened "Flex"
| date = March 26, 2007
| url = http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=120123
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-03-26 }} </ref>.
The Flex made its debut at the 2007 [[New York International Auto Show]] <ref> {{cite web
| authorlink = Auto123.com
| title = The Ford Flex, a.k.a. Fairlane, to debut in New York
| date = March 24, 2007
| url = http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/news,view.spy?artid=79129&pg=1
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-03-24 }} </ref>.

==Market==
The Flex joins Ford's range of crossover vehicles as the [[flagship vehicles|flagship]]:
* [[Ford Escape]] ([[compact SUV]])
* [[Ford Edge]] (mid-size [[Crossover SUV|CUV]])
* [[Ford Taurus X]] (mid-size CUV/[[Station wagon|wagon]])
* '''Ford Flex''' (full-size CUV)
It enters the crossover vehicle market as an alternative to the traditional family-oriented [[minivan]]s and [[sport utility vehicle]]s. 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 [[Ford Taurus X|Taurus X]] and the truck-based [[Ford Explorer|Explorer]], while in size, it would slot between the [[Ford Explorer|Explorer]] and [[Ford Expedition|Expedition]].

==Features==
(source: Ford press release materials from Media.Ford.com) <ref> [http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=25820 Ford Press Release material on Ford Flex] - dated 4 April 2007 </ref>

===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 (North America)|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).

== References ==
<references/>

=External links=
*[http://www.fordvehicles.com/flex/ Offical Ford Flex website] at FordVehicles.com

{{Ford}}
{{Modern North American Ford trucks}}

[[Category:Ford vehicles|Flex]]
[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]
[[Category:Ford D3 platform]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:2000s automobiles]]