In a world of computers, smartphones, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Viagra, technology and progress have created a rapid-paced lifestyle that we have no choice but to adapt to. Today, we’re always looking to merge all our communication needs together in one small, handheld package.
Our fascination with do-it-all devices has helped us develop our multitasking skills, although some people will argue that men don’t have the brainpower to do as much at once as women. I’ll refrain from commenting on that.
Are we expecting the same from our cars and trucks? Isn’t that what a crossover vehicle is supposed to be? Half-car, half-truck, the crossover should offer the comfort and drive of a car with the versatility of a truck, or if you will, a multitasking vehicle.
The Ford Flex represents well what a crossover should be. Yet everything in the Flex seems to be taken to the next step, starting with Ford’s EcoBoost V6, optional in the Limited and standard in our Titanium tester.
Displacing 3.5 litres, the twin-turbo V6 is good for 355 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, while being managed by a 6-speed automatic with manual mode and paddle shifters. The Flex is quite the hot rod; it blasts to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds and can cover the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 162 km/h. Holy cow, that’s fast for a 4,600-lb living room on wheels.
Know that lesser versions of the Flex make do with a 262-hp V6, which is more than enough muscle to cart it around. Unless you’re planning on lapping the Flex, the EcoBoost can almost be considered futile once you’ve loaded up the spouse, the kids and the golden retriever. There will still be room for the mother-in-law, but let’s not go there.
There isn’t really a fuel consumption penalty with the turbo engine, as its published ratings are virtually identical to those of the naturally-aspirated engine. However, we’re still observing an average of 13.9 L/100 km.
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| The Flex represents well what a crossover should be. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Our fascination with do-it-all devices has helped us develop our multitasking skills, although some people will argue that men don’t have the brainpower to do as much at once as women. I’ll refrain from commenting on that.
Are we expecting the same from our cars and trucks? Isn’t that what a crossover vehicle is supposed to be? Half-car, half-truck, the crossover should offer the comfort and drive of a car with the versatility of a truck, or if you will, a multitasking vehicle.
The Ford Flex represents well what a crossover should be. Yet everything in the Flex seems to be taken to the next step, starting with Ford’s EcoBoost V6, optional in the Limited and standard in our Titanium tester.
Displacing 3.5 litres, the twin-turbo V6 is good for 355 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, while being managed by a 6-speed automatic with manual mode and paddle shifters. The Flex is quite the hot rod; it blasts to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds and can cover the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 162 km/h. Holy cow, that’s fast for a 4,600-lb living room on wheels.
Know that lesser versions of the Flex make do with a 262-hp V6, which is more than enough muscle to cart it around. Unless you’re planning on lapping the Flex, the EcoBoost can almost be considered futile once you’ve loaded up the spouse, the kids and the golden retriever. There will still be room for the mother-in-law, but let’s not go there.
There isn’t really a fuel consumption penalty with the turbo engine, as its published ratings are virtually identical to those of the naturally-aspirated engine. However, we’re still observing an average of 13.9 L/100 km.
 |
| The EcoBoost V6 is good for 355 horsepower, 350 pound-feet of torque and a 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |