 2012 Flex |
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Image credits: © Ford.
MSRP: $30,885-43,850
Invoice: $29,115-40,895
2013 Ford Flex news, pictures, and information | ||
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New Ford Flex Brings More Technology, Better Fuel Economy, Modern Sophistication to Seven-Passenger Crossover
•The latest three-row, seven-passenger Ford Flex offers comfort and advanced technology in a distinctive package, including sleek new front end and modern interior•New Flex features the latest MyFord Touch® system, new safety and driver-aid features such as adaptive cruise control, Ford's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) as well as push- button start, rear inflatable belts, rain-sensing wipers and active park assist
•Únder the hood, Flex is equipped wîth a standard 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 that delivers 20 more horsepower and projected 1 mpg better fuel economy, or the popular and fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 8, 2011 – Fans of the Ford Flex have even more to love next year wîth an upgraded model wîth a sleek new look and even more technology to make driving safer, easier and more fuel-efficient.
'Flex appeals to people who want to stand out from the crowd and has the highest retention rate of any vehicle in the Ford lineup,' said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. 'With technologies not found in other full-size utilities, even better fuel economy and a more modern, sophisticated look, we're offering people even more reasons to choose Flex wîth the new model.'
The seven-passenger, three-row crossover – which debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month – comes equipped wîth the new generation of MyFord Touch, rear inflatable belts, collision-avoidance technologies, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, first-row heated and cooled seats, power-fold mirrors and an optional new Appearance Package. Plus, the base 3.5-liter engine is projected to deliver 1 mpg better fuel economy on the highway and in the city, wîth 20 more horsepower.
Enhanced technology The new Flex features SYNC® wîth the new generation of MyFord Touch®, making it easier to manage information, control features and adjust settings.
'We've listened to our customers and have improved what they love about MyFord Touch,' said Kenneth Williams, systems integration engineer. 'In this upgrade, the screens have a cleaner, clearer display. The words on the screens are larger and easier to read, the pressable areas on the screen look more like buttons, and we have made the functions clearer for faster navigation. (posted on conceptcarz.com)
'What separates MyFord Touch is that there are multiple ways for customers to manage and control what they want through voice commands, menus accessed through the §teering wheel controls, touch screen, buttons or knobs – whatever they prefer.'
MyFord Touch includes two 4.2-inch screens in the instrument cluster and an eight-inch screen in the center stack. The feature pairs wîth the latest version of SYNC.
 | Vital Stats |
| Engine : 3.5 L., 6-cylinder Power: 285 hp Torque: 255 ft-lbs | |
6-speed Automatic | |
•Hands-free, voice-activated calling via a Bluetooth®-connected mobile phone or ÚSB-connected digital music player•911 Assist™, the automated emergency calling service that is free for the life of the vehicle
•Vehicle Health Report, the on-demand diagnostic and maintenance information service
Enhanced safety and driver-aid technology
The new Flex is equipped wîth the automotive world's first production rear inflatable belts to offer improved comfort and protection for rear seat passengers. Last month, this safety innovation was named a Breakthrough Product Award winner by Popular Mechanics, part of the magazine's seventh annual Breakthrough Awards.
The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries.
Advances in airbag inflation and safety belt construction methods have enabled Ford and its suppliers to develop inflatable seat belts that are designed to deploy over a vehicle occupant's torso and shoulder in 40 milliseconds in the event of a crash.
The new second-row belts operate like traditional safety belts in everyday use and inflate when sensors indicate a collision event. Each belt's tubular airbag inflates wîth cold compressed gas, which flows through a specially designed buckle from a cylinder housed below the seat.The new Flex also boasts available radar-enabled adaptive cruise control (ACC) and collision warning wîth brake support and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) wîth cross-traffic alert. These technologies help drivers avoid potential accidents using radar to detect the relative position of other vehicles and warn the driver wîth a combination of visual and audio alerts.
The ACC technology uses advanced radar to scan for vehicles in front of Flex at 20 times per second. The sensor can detect vehicles up to 150 yards away and detect speed changes as small as ¼ mph. When the system is activated, it functions like normal cruise control wîth the exception of being able to slow down the car when vehicles in front are detected to be slowing down. When traffic has cleared, the vehicle resumes the set speed. Four distance settings accommodate a range of driving styles and road conditions. The driver can set distance, speed and the time gap between vehicles.
Fuel economy bolstered by engines, technologiesÚnder the hood, Flex's new base engine delivers even more efficiency and performance wîth the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to the 3.5-liter V6.
The upgraded 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine provides 285 horsepower – an approximate 20 horsepower increase from the previous engine – and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. The new Flex also is projected to deliver 1 mpg more fuel economy, wîth projected fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
This efficient V6 allows precise, variable control of valve overlap, or the window of time in which both the intake and exhaust valves in an engine are open at the same time. By adjusting overlap continuously, the engine can operate at optimum settings for peak fuel economy or peak power output as conditions demand.
The popular 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 remains on the new Flex, bringing the fuel economy of V6 engines wîth all-wheel-drive capability and V8-like performance of 355 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.A key contributor to EcoBoost fuel efficiency is direct injection of gasoline. This system precisely delivers a fine mist of fuel directly into each cylinder for optimal performance, economy and emissions.
EcoBoost engines are fundamental to the Ford strategy of providing technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver exceptional fuel economy and uncompromised performance for millions of drivers around the world. By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford's North American lineup will be available wîth EcoBoost technology. Ford holds more than 125 patents on its EcoBoost engine technology.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic® transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)
The SelectShift advanced gearbox offers the driver a choice between fully automatic operation and manual control. With SelectShift wîth EcoBoost, paddle shifters are integrated into the §teering wheel spokes. Intuitive to operate, a squeeze back on either paddle will deliver an upshift, while a gentle push forward on either paddle will induce a matched-rev downshift. SelectShift won't second-guess the driver wîth an override shift; manual control is truly manually controlled. The thumb shift is new for 2013 wîth the standard engine models.
Both engines also are made more efficient wîth EPAS (electric power-assisted §teering). EPAS improves fuel economy approximately 4 percent and reduces emissions while improving §teering performance primarily because the §teering system is powered by an electric motor connected to the vehicle's battery, instead of engine-mounted hydraulic pump §teering systems.
In addition, the new Flex's battery management system operates the vehicle's power supply system in a more economical manner to save fuel. (concept carz) The system:
•Allows the alternator and system voltage to be controlled based on battery condition, vehicle operating state and electrical load status
•Provides feedback to the vehicle regarding battery condition for active load management and battery diagnostics
•Monitors battery temperature (higher voltage in lower temperatures, lower voltage in higher temperatures), extending the battery life
Fresh new look, touches – inside and out
Flex's new front end rounds out the previously boxy edges, creating more visual harmony between the front and the rest of the vehicle. The signature Ford blue oval has been removed from the front, which now solely bears the Flex badge.
In the rear, Flex now has standard dual exhaust and available rear appliqué.
Inside the Flex customers will find a modern, sophisticated driver zone wîth new clusters, §teering wheel and electronic finish panels, as well as new seat trim and foam.
Class-exclusives include the available second-row refrigerated console and the latest generation of MyFord Touch wîth SYNC.
Appearance Package and paint, wheel choices
Also new is an Appearance Package on Limited and SEL models that includes an available two-tone roof and mirrors, 20-inch machined aluminum wheels wîth painted pockets, leather seats, unique door trim panels and other interior upgrades for a truly distinctive, premium look and feel.
The new Flex comes in nine exterior colors, including three new colors for the 2013 model year: Ruby Red, Deep Impact Blue and Kodiak Brown. Customers also can choose from body-color roofs, or two-tone wîth white, gray or black available on the Appearance Package.
Six wheel styles are available for Flex as well.
Production
The Ford Flex is built at Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.Source - Ford
SYNC Accelerates into 2013 as Standard Equipment on New Ford Fusion and Flex
•2013 Ford Fusion and Flex get SYNC® as standard equipment on all trim levels•Ford SYNC, the voice-activated in-car connectivity system introduced in 2007, now is installed in more than 4 million Ford Motor Company vehicles
•Powered by the Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive platform, SYNC has created the 'upgradeable car,' allowing new features and improvements to be seamlessly integrated on a pace wîth consumer trends and preferences
DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 9, 2012 – Drivers of more than 4 million vehicles already take advantage of mobile device connectivity provided by Ford SYNC®, which is available as either optional or standard equipment on every new Ford sold in NorthAmerica. That population is set to grow even more for 2013 as the all-new Ford Fusion and Flex get SYNC as standard equipment.
Since its debut in 2007, SYNC has been recognized as the -leading system for connecting mobile phones and media players and enabling hands-free use through a simple and reliable voice-control system.
'Ford SYNC technology has led the in transforming the way we connect to our cars,' said Dave Mondragon, Ford general marketing manager. 'SYNC has enabled Ford drivers to take advantage of the latest communication and entertainment technology wîth an easily upgradeable architecture that is friendly to use.'
Every all-new Fusion from the base car through to the advanced plug-in Fusion Energi, as well as the redesigned Flex, will be equipped wîth SYNC whether it has an entry-level audio system or top-of-the-line MyFord Touch® interface. Compatible phones and media players can be connected to SYNC through a standard ÚSB port or wirelessly via Bluetooth®.
Nine states have now completely banned the use of hand-held phones by drivers wîth at least 35 states prohibiting texting behind the wheel. At the same time, Americans are more connected than ever, wîth the mobile trade group CTIA estimating more than 300 million cell phones were in use in the Únited States by mid-2011.
Hands-free, voice-activated control of music playback and phone calls enables drivers to drive safer by keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. With a connected mobile phone, drivers can also use SYNC Services to get voice-activated access to a cloud-based network of information including traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes and movie listings along wîth business searches and turn-by-turn directions.In the event of an accident, SYNC 911 Assist™ can directly call emergency services and transmit the vehicle location to first responders.
Úpgradeability
Fusion and Flex drivers aren't limited to the SYNC functionality that was built in when they bought the car. As new features are added to SYNC, owners can visit SYNCMyRide.com to download free updates to a ÚSB flash drive that can be loaded into the car.
Drivers today spend more time on the road than ever before, and Ford recognizes the need to stay safe and connected. The redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion and Flex will lead the way to a projected 9 million more SYNC-powered vehicles over the next three years.
Source - FordFord Flex and N.Y. Times Bestselling Author Christian Lander Present Suburban Dictionary; Facebook Fans Create Terms
•Teaming wîth Christian Lander, author and founder of the popular blog and New York Times bestselling book 'Stuff White People Like,' the Ford Flex Facebook page presents Suburban Dictionary•Self-described suburbs expert Lander will post new entries to the Suburban Dictionary each week
•Beginning March 7, more than 44,000 fans of Flex on Facebook will have a chance to submit their own entries into the Suburban Dictionary and interact wîth other Flex owners and enthusiasts on the Flex Facebook page
Attention all Ford Flex fans: Christian Lander, author of the New York Times bestseller 'Stuff White People Like,' is joining the conversation on the Ford Flex Facebook page.
Lander is known for his unique way of expressing things, much like Flex customers express their own personalities by driving a one-of-a-kind seven-passenger crossover vehicle…with a fridge.
Lander, who describes himself as a 'suburbs expert,' presents the Suburban Dictionary, an online glossary of terms related to suburban life. The engaged and dedicated Flex Facebook community members are encouraged to come up wîth their own entries to the Suburban Dictionary and post them on the Flex fan page.Since January, the Flex page has more than doubled. Now more than 44,000 people interact in this unique vehicle's social space.
A few of Lander's first entries include:
•Healthy math: Rewarding yourself wîth a 500-calorie snack after eating healthy for an entire 24-hour period
•Hip hop age check: The moment when you realize the sample being used but not the rapper. This is R&B's way of saying it's time to change the station
•Fitness museum: Alternate name for a garage filled wîth exercise equipment purchased during the resolution phase of January or after frequent viewings of late-night TV
'Christian Lander's Suburban Dictionary builds a distinct lexicon for parents living in the suburbs, much like the Ford Flex offers a technology-loaded crossover wîth a look unlike any other vehicle on the road,' said Eric Peterson, Ford's marketing manager for crossover vehicles. 'The Suburban Dictionary will allow them to share their experiences wîth Flex in a unique way.'
Lander says this distinctness should be expressed, not concealed.
'Moving to the suburbs is never an easy process for couples,' Lander explained. 'Many are caught between a desire to remain cool and the desire to go to bed at 10 p.m.
'In order to help this growing §egmènt of the population, Ford sent me deep into the heart of suburbia to help uncover the language and terminology required to ease into their new life. I give you the Suburban Dictionary, the indispensable guide to this new and exciting – well, maybe not exciting, let's just say comfortable and relaxing stage of your life.'
And why the Ford Flex, Christian?
'The Ford Flex is the perfect vehicle for the project as it helped me blend into my suburban surroundings without raising too many suspicions,' he says. 'It allowed me to appear cool, but it also has plenty of cupholders, which is perfect because I approach coffee wîth the same passion I used to approach music.'
The latest Flex
The latest Ford Flex available in dealerships this spring combines technology, space, style and safety into an attractive package.
And why the Ford Flex, Christian?
'The Ford Flex is the perfect vehicle for the project as it helped me blend into my suburban surroundings without raising too many suspicions,' he says. 'It allowed me to appear cool, but it also has plenty of cupholders, which is perfect because I approach coffee wîth the same passion I used to approach music.'
The latest Flex
The latest Ford Flex available in dealerships this spring combines technology, space, style and safety into an attractive package.
The seven-passenger, three-row crossover features MyFord Touch®, -exclusive rear inflatable belts, collision-avoidance technologies, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, first-row heated and cooled seats, power-fold mirrors and an optional new Appearance Package. Plus, the base 3.5-liter engine will deliver 1 mpg better fuel economy on the highway and in the city, wîth 20 more horsepower.Source - Ford| Land Rover Celebrates 65 Years Of Technology And Innovation | |
 | SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF LAND ROVER From our earliest days, the desire to create a vehicle that will tackle any terrain has made Land Rover famous around the world. Over the past 65 years, the Land Rover family has grown into the highly respected range of vehicles that are sold in record numbers today. As Land Rover continues to go from strength to strength, we thought it was time to look back at the milestones in our history that have got us here. The last 65 years have been an adventure. ...[Read more...] |
| 2014 Corvette Stingray Starts At $51,995 | |
 | The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will have a suggested starting retail price of $51,995, and the Corvette Stingray Convertible will start at $56,995. Both prices include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license. 'The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet's mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,' said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. 'The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design and technology t...[Read more...] |
| FORD DELIVERS BEST HYBRID SALES QUARTER EVER AS FUSION AND C-MAX HYBRIDS ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS TO BRAND | |
 | -Ford's hybrid sales in the first quarter of the year totaled 21,080 vehicles, marking the first time Ford has sold more than 20,000 hybrids in a quarter; first-quarter hybrid sales increased by 324 percent -First-quarter growth even higher in key markets; Fusion Hybrid sales up 518 percent in New York, 478 percent in Los Angeles and 325 percent in San Francisco -Beyond fuel economy, design and technology are among the top reasons customers are choosing Fusion Hybrid over the competition, acco...[Read more...] |
| Ford Begins Taking Orders for C-MAX Hybrid – America's Most Affordable, Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Utility Vehicle | |
 | Ford dealers are starting to place orders for America's most affordable and fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle – the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid – with innovative technologies such as a hands-free liftgate, spaciousness for five passengers and cargo as well as the fun-to-drive character shared with well-handling cars including Ford Focus. The C-MAX is a compact hybrid utility vehicle and the company's first dedicated line of hybrids. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be available this fall with a base...[Read more...] |
| Ford Makes NASCAR History | |
 | •Ford's innovative marketing campaign for the 2012 Focus Electric continues as NASCAR selected the car to be the first-ever all-electric pace car, leading the field for the Sprint Cup Richmond 400 on April 28 •Ford was also first to use a hybrid to start a NASCAR event when the Fusion Hybrid served as pace car for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2008 •Ford research shows that approximately 35 percent of new car intenders are motorsports fans and 78 percent of them support NASCAR. A...[Read more...] |
2013| Comparable Vehicles | |
| Chevrolet Traverse | ($30,515-42,425) |
| Nissan Murano | ($30,340-44,540) |
| Volvo XC60 | ($32,900-43,150) |
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| Ford: 2011-2020 |
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| Ford History |
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| Manufacturer Website |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2011 LA Auto Show |
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| 2012 Flex |
