Performance
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
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."
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."
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
I'd say the 5.4 is way less efficient than the 3.5, which is a great little engine.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 39,979
Likes: 1,512
From: Maine, Virginia
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
Tim
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 39,979
Likes: 1,512
From: Maine, Virginia
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."
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."
Tim
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
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...
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 0
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...
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...
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Here ya go, Smiggs:
BREAKTHROUGH AERODYNAMICS IS BOXY FORD FLEX?S SECRET WEAPON FOR FUEL ECONOMY | Ford Motor Company Newsroom
The wonders of Google....
BREAKTHROUGH AERODYNAMICS IS BOXY FORD FLEX?S SECRET WEAPON FOR FUEL ECONOMY | Ford Motor Company Newsroom
The wonders of Google....
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 0
Here ya go, Smiggs:
BREAKTHROUGH AERODYNAMICS IS BOXY FORD FLEX?S SECRET WEAPON FOR FUEL ECONOMY | Ford Motor Company Newsroom
The wonders of Google....
BREAKTHROUGH AERODYNAMICS IS BOXY FORD FLEX?S SECRET WEAPON FOR FUEL ECONOMY | Ford Motor Company Newsroom
The wonders of Google....
Hmm, A Ford publication tooting it's own horn.
I DIDN'T see it coming.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 0
Those to cars couldnt be any more night and day if you tryed. Boxy looking yes but thats about all.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 0
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.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
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
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: Denver USA
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