They are more aerodynamic than they look



Awesome cars, one of the most thoroughly thought out and best executed Fords in many years. Makes the Highlander and Pilot feel like Fisher-Price...it is probably the best "car-biased" three-row crossover ever.

Quote: "Ford designers and engineers spent countless hours in the wind tunnel and made numerous subtle tweaks to deliver breakthrough aerodynamics while staying true to the stunning looks of the Ford Fairlane concept that inspired the Flex.

Compared to the competition, Ford Flex moves through the air with surprising ease.

At 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."

 

I'd say the 5.4 is way less efficient than the 3.5, which is a great little engine.

 

Yeah and why in the hell was it even considered by Truck Trend as a contender for SUV of the year? I must be way behind the times on vehicle terminology. All but two of the entries were crossovers. Toyota Sequoia and the Lexus twin were the only two truck based SUV's in the mix.

Tim

 

That's very impressive, but it apparantly didn't impress the folks at Truck Trend. The Subaru took top honors for the umpteenth time. I think they're cool as hell, but, a lot spendy.

Tim

 

Who gives a crap about Truck Trend? They were off-roading the Flex! They, like C&D, do not get this car at all.

But I did read the article, and the Flex was the ONLY vehicle besides the Forester that got any votes. It was the runner up with 3 votes.

So the Traverse, Infiniti, etc. didn't get any votes but the Flex got 3...from truck people who were mudding in it. LOL

Must have made some kind of good impression...

 

So where is the link for the quote you posted about the Flex from?

 

Here ya go, Smiggs:

BREAKTHROUGH AERODYNAMICS IS BOXY FORD FLEX?S SECRET WEAPON FOR FUEL ECONOMY | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

The wonders of Google....

 

Thanks.

Hmm, A Ford publication tooting it's own horn.

I DIDN'T see it coming.

 

SMIGGS, numbers are numbers...this is a pathetic job of discrediting the source.

 

I won't argue with hard numbers, but unique the Flex is not. It's been done. It's called the Scion XB.

Mike

 

Those to cars couldnt be any more night and day if you tryed. Boxy looking yes but thats about all.

 

Who said anything about discrediting anything. Your the one discrediting another source ONLY because it doesn't fit with your "agenda"

You are right about numbers are numbers but who buys a crossover because it's coefficient of drag is significantly better? And better than it's Asian competition? Hint the sarcasm. Last time I checked, the Flex doesn't get best mileage out of all crossovers.....

Isn't the whole idea behind the crossover is a vehicle that is offroad capable to some extent? And they don't get this car at all? Obviously YOU get this car, you tell us then.

 

Direct quote from the article.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 16, 2008 - There's no doubt the 2009 Ford Flex's unique profile turns heads on the road, but can a boxy crossover vehicle really deliver the superb aerodynamics needed for maximum fuel economy?

Not unique.

Mike

 

To be honest i think it looks more like the land rovers and range rovers than the XB's. My wife also just looked at the flex and thought it was a range rover lol. All 3 are boxy but nothing like each other. They are all unique

 

Depends on each persons defenition of off-road. Think most CUV's can't handle what my defenition of off-road is. But too my understanding of the market, it's more ment for handling dirt/gravel roads and snowy conditions, with slightly higher ground clearance than the cars they are usually based on. Not for true 4-wheeling purposes.

Basically, it’s a sports utility vehicle that is built on a car frame with little if any off-road capability.

Definition of Crossover Utility Vehicle