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Ford's 'Flex-ible' design a winner
2009 Ford Flex
Jim Kerr, The StarPhoenix
Published: Friday, June 27, 2008
The ultimate box? At first glance, the new Ford Flex is an example of the classic two box styling design -- a small box for the engine compartment and a big box for the passenger compartment.
Look a little closer and it looks more like a concept vehicle right off the car show circuit. The Flex is a custom looking vehicle with some unique features that combine passenger utility with passenger convenience.
Available in front wheel drive or all wheel drive, the Flex is available in two trim levels. The Flex SEL comes equipped with heated cloth seats and eight-way adjustable seats for both front seat occupants. Dual zone automatic climate control, steering wheel audio controls, ABS braking, Roll Stability control, traction control, 18-inch alloy wheels, touchpad keyless entry and reverse sensing system are a few of the many standard features on this model. The option list is long, including leather seating, DVD rear seat entertainment system, voice-activated navigation system, Ford SYNC media system and even a rear console refrigerator that operates independently from the conventional vehicle air conditioning system.
The Flex Limited model adds HID headlamps, power liftgate, 19-inch wheels, wood and leather steering wheel, leather seating with perforated leather front seats, power adjustable pedals, Sony 10-speaker audiophile speaker system, SYNC, a 110-volt power inverter and second row footrests that make passengers feel very pampered.
Again, the option list is very long and our test vehicle included the refrigerator, nav system, remote start and the Vista roof glass panel for rear seat passengers. One panel on the outside but looking like three separate glass panels on the inside, it really lights up the interior. Manual sunshades bang if you release them quickly, but they are easy to use.
Six-passenger seating is standard equipment, with a second row bench seat for seven-passenger capacity a no-cost option. Front seat room is very good, but second row space is exceptional. I have been in limousines with less interior room. The third row will accommodate adults and access to them past the push button operated flip-up second row seat is fair.
The interior fit and finish of the Flex is excellent and worthy of a vehicle costing much more. The dash design is clean and uncluttered, with controls readily at hand. The interior space is remarkable and there is still 415 litres of cargo space behind the seats. Third, second row and even the front passenger seat fold flat for cavernous cargo space.
It is the unique styling of the Flex that will probably attract viewers first. A side view of the Flex makes it look long and low. It reminds me of the chopped custom cars from the Fifties, with its high beltline and narrow windows. Part of this image comes from the two-tone paint scheme. With the roof a light colour, the rest of the Flex body seems to be lower than it is. No, you don't have to duck to climb in. Roof rack rails are optional and I prefer the styling without them.
The rear view is the most attractive part of the exterior, with a ribbed aluminum trim panel extending from tail light to tail light. The ribs are a continuation of the body side ribs and provide continuity to the look. The large 18 and 19 inch wheels contribute to the custom vehicle look.
One wonderful feature of this body design is how the rocker panels are now part of the door design. With the door open, the sill is close to the seat area, making it easy to step in and out of the Flex and keep your pants clean.
Power for the Flex comes from a 3.5-litre V6 engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain is smooth and is also used in the Ford Edge, but with a new intake and exhaust system. A revised torque converter and different throttle programming provides a more direct link between the driver and the vehicle response. The Flex won't win races, but it cruises nicely and can tow up to 4,500 pounds when equipped with the factory tow package.
Whether you look at the lowest priced Flex or the top of the line, you will find a quiet, roomy, stylish vehicle that lives up to its name.
It's flexible to meet many needs.
©Canada.com
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Ford gives 88-MPG flex-fuel, plug-in Escape Hybrid to Department of Energy
Posted Jun 19th 2008 7:01PM by Jonathon Ramsey
Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Government/Legal , Green , Ford
The Blue Oval has gifted the U.S. Department of Energy a one-of-a-kind vehicle: a plug-in Escape Hybrid that can run on E85, has a 30-mile range on pure electric power at up to 40 mph, and gets 88 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. Yes, you read that correctly. But you might want to read it again.
The Escape uses a 4-cylinder engine assisted by a 10kW lithium-ion battery pack made by Johnson Controls/Saft. In pure electric mode, the battery pack runs until it is 70-percent depleted, and then the gasoline engine kicks in. The vehicle's emissions are estimated to be 60-percent less than that of a traditional gas vehicle, and that could climb all the way to 90-percent less if the car used cellulosic ethanol.
This is one of 20 vehicles that Ford is giving to government and research bodies in order to help push the growth and penetration of hybrid vehicles. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said "There's no silver bullet solution, so we're pursuing multiple technology paths – recognizing that commercial viability is an essential component for success." And we say hear hear, well done, and it's about time...
[Source: Ford via GM Inside News ]
©Autoblog.com
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SYNC your car, phone, music and more.
Introducing Sync – a fully-integrated, voice activated in-car communication and entertainment system for your mobile phone and digital music player. Some of Sync’s unique features are:
Smart Voice Recognition: It’s true-Sync lets you talk to your iPod! Sync’s sophisticated technology allows you to operate a variety of portable digital music players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones with simple voice commands.
Factory-Installed: Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Sync is offered Exclusively through Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products in North America.
Sync Compatible: Most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones support hands-free calling through Sync. Most popular media players work with Sync. Want to see more information and print a list of devices and Sync features they support?
Click here to learn more!
©SyncMyRide.com
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2008 Ford Focus Starts Under $15,000; Delivers New Design, More Safety, Better Fuel Economy and Sync!
* Value Leader – 2008 Ford Focus starts at $14,695 and offers the best value in its segment along with an all-new design, fuel economy in the mid-30s and such available class-exclusive features as Ford Sync™ and factory-installed ambient lighting.
* Ford Sync™Debuts – as an industry-exclusive, hands-free way to use cell phones and portable music players using voice commands. Ford Sync™ comes standard on 2008 Focus SES models and is available on Focus SE models.
* Fun to Drive – Acclaimed Focus driving dynamics are further improved with new suspension tuning and chassis refinements. Improved NVH levels provide a quieter ride.
* New Features – Standard safety equipment now includes side air bags, side air curtains and tire pressure monitoring system. An audio input jack, tilt steering wheel and air conditioning are standard on all models. SIRIUS® Satellite Radio is now available.
SEATTLE, Sept. 17, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Focus goes on sale this fall with a long list of improvements that make it better than ever, including 35 miles per gallon highway fuel economy and a starting price under $15,000.
The new Focus is redesigned from the inside out, is available as a sedan or new coupe body style, is 30 pounds lighter, 10 percent quieter, has 3 percent more horsepower, more safety features, exceptional driving dynamics and fuel economy better than many smaller vehicles. With a starting price of $14,695, Focus pricing is essentially unchanged from last year – even with the addition of new standard safety features like side-curtain air bags.
The Ford Focus also introduces two new factory-installed technologies: programmable LED-powered ambient lighting and Ford Sync. Sync is a Ford-exclusive technology developed with Microsoft that allows users to control most portable digital music players and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones using voice commands.
"The new Focus is arriving at exactly the right time, with consumer interest in both small cars and technology surging," said Barry Engle, general manager, Ford Brand Marketing. "With new a new design, great handling, fuel economy in the mid-30s and now Sync, we have something truly unique to offer consumers."
Cutting-Edge Technology
The 2008 Focus is the first vehicle to offer the company's industry-exclusive Ford Sync technology this year. Sync – a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system – fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity. It seamlessly integrates the Focus with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is updatable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Sync will be offered exclusively on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles this year. It will be standard on Lincoln vehicles and widely available on Ford and Mercury vehicles. In most cases, Sync will be included as standard equipment on high-series models from Ford and Mercury. On models where Sync is optional, it will be priced at $395.
Tapping the emerging trend of configurable lighting, Ford is making its ambient lighting system available to Focus customers as a factory-installed option. The feature lets customers set the mood inside the vehicle with subtle LED lighting in the cupholders and in the front and rear footwells. The driver or front-seat passenger can choose from seven different colors – red, blue, aqua, purple, white, green and yellow – by cycling through a dash-mounted switch.
Great Value
For the 2008 model year, an all-new Focus coupe complements the sedan model. Three trim series – Focus S, Focus SE and Focus SES – are available for both body styles. Base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2008 Focus S coupe starts at $14,695, while the new Focus S sedan begins at $14,995. SE models are an additional $1,000. All prices include a $620 destination and delivery charge. The top-of-the-line Focus SES coupe and sedan, with Sync standard, begin at $16,695 and $16,995, respectively.
All-new features on the 2008 Focus include a standard audio input jack for MP3 players, Ice Blue instrument backlighting, new wheel designs, along with Ford Sync and SIRIUS™ satellite radio. Newly standard features include driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags, side curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and air conditioning.
©Weblogs, Inc.
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Fully re-designed 2008 Ford Escape
Introduction
Ever since its introduction seven years ago, the Ford Escape has been a winner for the company and has often ranked as the best-selling compact SUV in America. For 2008, the Escape has received a "top-half" revamping, meaning the exterior and interior got a complete makeover, while the mechanical components remain mostly unchanged.
When it debuted, the Escape was one of those "we got it right the first time" vehicles. Ford's small car-based SUV was roomy for four, fun to drive (thanks to chassis co-development with Mazda) and peppy (thanks to its sprightly V6). In light of this success and its challenged financial situation, Ford evidently hoped that giving the Escape a tougher look and a nicer cabin for 2008 would be enough to keep the entry-level SUV competitive.
With its bolder grill, taller beltline, higher hood and Edge-inspired headlights, the Escape is a handsome little rig. More functional changes were made to the Escape's cabin, including the first use of recycled materials for a vehicle's upholstery, a multifunction display at the top center of the dash and cool blue instrument lighting. To promote a quieter cabin, the Escape features an acoustic laminate within the windshield and new carpeting that's much thicker than before.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2008 Ford Escape is a compact four-door SUV that comes in three trim levels: XLS, XLT and Limited. The XLS comes with air-conditioning, keyless entry, full power accessories, a CD player and an auxiliary input jack. The XLT adds 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, automatic headlights, foglights, a power driver seat, upgraded cloth upholstery and cruise control. The top-of-the-line Escape Limited includes color-keyed grille and side mirrors, leather seating and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Options include a moonroof, an upgraded 320-watt audio system with a subwoofer and a DVD-based navigation system. For the Limited only, you can get a chrome accent package as well as a luxury package, which includes heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and reverse parking sensors.
Safety
Antilock brakes, a tire-pressure monitor, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags with a rollover sensor are all standard on the 2008 Ford Escape. A reverse-sensing parking system is optional on the Limited. Safety scores have not been published as of this writing but we expect them to be similar to those of the '07 model.
©Edmunds.com
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