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Ford Flex

13

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  • baggs32baggs32 Posts: 3,229
    But at the same time, the only way the Taurus X could make a splash in the marketplace is by being redesigned.

    I think the CEO could decide to do that but I'm not ever going to say he will. It's a possibility that I feel can't be ruled out. A lot of that feeling comes from the statement above that I quoted from you. It could very well be redesigned as a very attractive Mercury that does not share a Ford or Lincoln badge with the same sheet metal.

    One thing I think we can all agree on is that the Taurus X needs a final home, or resting place ;), at some point in the next few years. It will be interesting to see where it ends up and as what.
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    FS was not a total flop. The only two things it lacked were power and style. In 2008 it gets one and a decent amount of the other(you know which I'm talking about). Besides that, It exceeds the numbers of both Midsize and fullsize SUV's, and even though it's a station wagon, has good ground clearance. This being said, Taurus X will not be getting a redesign any time soon. This is the FS's freshening. Who knows if it will even exist after 2011?However, the Taurus X architecture (same as Flex) would provide a fine basis for a well-styled 3 row CUV, if Ford wanted to cover that base too.
    It's called the FLEX!!!
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  • gregg_vwgregg_vw Posts: 2,437
    Apparently you only read bits and snatches of things. I pointed out that the Flex may actually turn out to be more than a minivan replacement. In which case Ford doesn't have to do much but update it regularly. However, Ford could easily make a well-styled 3 row CUV out of the architecture if the Flex isn't tearing up the sales charts.

    I'm getting the impression you really like to pick nits and arguments. Whatever floats yer boat, doll.
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  • pnewbypnewby Posts: 277
    I'm probably wrong(just ask my wife), but there are very few, if any owners of the FS that I have ever heard talking about it as underpowered. I've had mine for nearly 3 years now, and still love it. 0-60 is fine, and only feels slow to folks that are not used to the CVT. In fact, thats likely to be what I would miss the most on the Taurus X.
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  • akirbyakirby Posts: 8,001
    If you notice it's only the magazines and folks who do paper comparisons who say the 3.0L is underpowered with the CVT.
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  • gregg_vwgregg_vw Posts: 2,437
    And the FS's decent 0-60 times are beside the point...the point that it doesn't sell in sufficient numbers to be a real contender.

    It's far from the first instance of a good vehicle not selling very well. When that happens, no amount of pointing out its attributes is going to solve the problem.

    A combination of things came together: a lot of people might have been put off by how the CVT sounded in that class of car. The styling is innocuous to the point of being boring and old school station-wagony, when everyone else is going for a more current CUV look. AND it looks too much like the Explorer, another great vehicle that unfortunately was redesigned to keep looking like its old self...until it almost passe-ed itself out of existence.

    The Taurus X will pick up sales now that the Explorer front end is gone, and the dumb name (easily confused with the mediocre Freestar) and CVT are gone. But it still looks like a station wagon...or a Freestyle with a different grill.
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  • savethelandsavetheland Posts: 671
    Taurus X seems to be update in Taurus station wagon. Yeah not as stylish as original (and even redesigned one) was. But thats Ford - they now think bland in USA.
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    This really doesn't seem to be a reply to my message.
    But in this case- why would Ford try to spend even more money to upgrade and replace an upgraded replacement. I highly doubt they will make another SUV off this architecture. This is already number 2- with another 1 or 2 on the way. My comment was that the Flex doesn't seem to be a huge improvement over the Taurus X. The new TX is a good vehicle. Why not copy Dodge and the Avenger and slap styling cues form the Fairlane concept on it? i haven't seen a lot of advantage from Flex-yet. As for Flex restyle- yes- if sales are a flop, then an update will help and not be hard to do.
    Argument Picking? Didn't mean to hurt anyones feelings. :P I just want people to think.
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  • gregg_vwgregg_vw Posts: 2,437
    Got it. No problem from this end. :)
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    But now, Ford has two large three row crossovers with only styling to set them apart.
    This doesn't make sense? Pontac had the large Bonneville and Grand Prix for years. THis helps give some diversity. At least they don't look the same.
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    What's going on? Is there nothing to be said about this crossover anymore?
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  • gregg_vwgregg_vw Posts: 2,437
    Apparently not until someone sees it or tests it or gets more detailed information. Ford is announcing this puppy awfully early.
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  • akirbyakirby Posts: 8,001
    I think they're desperate for some good PR. It does show that Ford is changing their ways with all the features that will be available. The only thing missing is a more powerful engine option.
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    Hey- don't complain! Fords old Duratec 6 made 200hp. The new 3.5 makes 265. That's enough improvement for me!!!
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  • akirbyakirby Posts: 8,001
    I didn't say that the 3.5L wasn't powerful enough. For me it would be fine but having a V8 or (more likely) twin turbo 3.5L option would satisfy the media and would be a good PR move.
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    Where is this twin turbo coming from?
    I bet Ford has made the Flex able to hold a V8...
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  • baggs32baggs32 Posts: 3,229
    Where is this twin turbo coming from?

    The latest Lincoln concept, named the MKR, has the "Twinforce" twin turboed Duratec35 in it. According to the link I provided it is going to be in a Lincoln someday soon. It is direct injected and makes 415 HP and 400 ft-lbs of torque.

    If you read Ford's press release on the Duratec35 they state that it was developed with turbocharging in mind as well as other technologies like hybrid and so on. It is a very versatile engine, according to them, and capable of much more than 265 HP which is what you're seeing in their vehicles now to start off with.

    There is also rumor of a bored out Duratec37 to be available in the Lincoln version of the Flex, yet to be named, which we should see at an auto show next year I guess. I would guess that one will deliver roughly 300 HP out of the box. A simple google search for the Flex at the auto show will likely take you to an article describing both future models.
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  • akirbyakirby Posts: 8,001
    The Twin Turbo 3.5L has also been running around Detroit in a F150 for several months now. This engine is also supposed to replace the 4.4L Yamaha V8 planned for the MKS.

    More power than a V8 with better fuel mileage.
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  • albookalbook Posts: 1,282
    Can Livcoln do it? Can they build a real Lux SUV competitor that is as appealing as the Enclave? I don't know. That MKX is looking a little shabby...
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  • baggs32baggs32 Posts: 3,229
    Can Livcoln do it? Can they build a real Lux SUV competitor that is as appealing as the Enclave?

    Seeing that the as yet to be named or seen Lincoln version of the Flex will be roughly the same size as the Enclave, have a larger engine, and more luxury features (most likely) I'd say yes. The design has been said to be more "curvy" than the Flex according to articles I've read so we'll just have to wait and see.
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  • blacklab4blacklab4 Posts: 12
    Will the Flex be available in the early summer? June 2008?
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  • akirbyakirby Posts: 8,001
    That's the rumor.
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  • blacklab4blacklab4 Posts: 12
    Do you think late summer or early fall? What is your opinion? Thanks
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  • akirbyakirby Posts: 8,001
    I think early summer but that's strictly a guess.
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  • davestitzdavestitz Posts: 1
    Hey All.. I was driving to starbucks this morning when the new Ford Flex drove right in front of me! What a sweet ride! The sighting was in Los Angeles. This will be a really cool vehicle when it comes out!
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  • blacklab4blacklab4 Posts: 12
    Have you heard of a release date for the Ford Flex?
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  • rcegglrceggl Posts: 31
    This looks like a vehicle which will be pronounced "dead on arrival". I simply cannot figure out what Ford was thinking with this design. I can picture their design people sitting around looking at a brick, when suddenly someone says, lets put four wheels on it and call it a flex.
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  • blacklab4blacklab4 Posts: 12
    What do you mean by "dead on arrival"?
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  • gregg_vwgregg_vw Posts: 2,437
    His message actually means this one has a chance of being a real hit. He is hating it. That means it is polarizing. A few polarizing designs mught just save Ford again. The original Taurus was polarizing. It quickly became mainstream as people warmed to its unique (for the time) look. Think Chrysler 300 v. Ford 500. People either loved or hated the 300, but no one even noticed the Ford.
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  • savethelandsavetheland Posts: 671
    Design is similar to Mini Cooper and Scion xB. It is interesting what blacklab4 thinks about those cars. There both were a greate success
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This discussion has been closed.