I drove the Flex followed by several of its competitors and was astonished to find that the V6 Flex EcoBoost handled the weight of the trailer with the greatest poise. It easily out-accelerated the V8-powered SUV and the V6 crossover; in fact, the difference in performance was astonishing.
Now it should be mentioned that at sea level, the disparity may not be quite as dramatic given the ability of twin turbochargers to compensate for thin air by compressing it and force-feeding it to Ford’s Duratec.
But the Flex advantage wasn’t all about potency, control issues arose and the Flex exercised more of that as well thanks to its Trailer Sway Control program. I purposely put the trailer into an oscillating sway and immediately experienced the intervention of Sway Control.
I could feel the rear brakes apply themselves asymmetrically in juxtaposing rhythm to the oscillations. The Flex remained stable while the trailer eventually settled down and behaved itself on the highway. After the trailering test, Ford had one more ace up its sleeve to reveal.
Active Park Assist debuted
Cars that park themselves, or thereabouts because none fully park themselves, have been around for a couple of years. Ford has now entered the “parking wars” with a system that outperforms that of Toyota and Lexus.
Ford’s Active Park Assist is easier and more efficient to operate. Plus it does more to complete the parking process by spinning the steering wheel in the required directions when additional forward and reverse movement is needed in an exceptionally tight spot.
Flex EcoBoost – more flexible
Ford’s EcoBoost technology has greatly extended the flexibility of the Flex by endowing it with outstanding performance capabilities, which also include impressive trailer towing abilities when so equipped.
Despite its notable increase in power, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Flex EcoBoost achieved a fuel economy rating of 13.1 and 9.2L/100km city and highway driving respectively, which is similar to that of a conventionally powered Flex.
Overall, the Flex EcoBoost is a worthy step forward in delivering power and performance without burning more fuel and discharging greater emissions into our fragile atmosphere. Unfortunately, at present EcoBoost is only available in Canada on the Flex Limited AWD, for which a minimum outlay of $46,599 is required.
And in a nod to patriotism, the Flex EcoBoost is built in Oakville, Ontario.
photo:Rob Rothwell
Now it should be mentioned that at sea level, the disparity may not be quite as dramatic given the ability of twin turbochargers to compensate for thin air by compressing it and force-feeding it to Ford’s Duratec.
But the Flex advantage wasn’t all about potency, control issues arose and the Flex exercised more of that as well thanks to its Trailer Sway Control program. I purposely put the trailer into an oscillating sway and immediately experienced the intervention of Sway Control.
I could feel the rear brakes apply themselves asymmetrically in juxtaposing rhythm to the oscillations. The Flex remained stable while the trailer eventually settled down and behaved itself on the highway. After the trailering test, Ford had one more ace up its sleeve to reveal.
Active Park Assist debuted
Cars that park themselves, or thereabouts because none fully park themselves, have been around for a couple of years. Ford has now entered the “parking wars” with a system that outperforms that of Toyota and Lexus.
 |
| Ford’s Active Park Assist is easier and more efficient to operate. |
Ford’s Active Park Assist is easier and more efficient to operate. Plus it does more to complete the parking process by spinning the steering wheel in the required directions when additional forward and reverse movement is needed in an exceptionally tight spot.
Flex EcoBoost – more flexible
Ford’s EcoBoost technology has greatly extended the flexibility of the Flex by endowing it with outstanding performance capabilities, which also include impressive trailer towing abilities when so equipped.
Despite its notable increase in power, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Flex EcoBoost achieved a fuel economy rating of 13.1 and 9.2L/100km city and highway driving respectively, which is similar to that of a conventionally powered Flex.
Overall, the Flex EcoBoost is a worthy step forward in delivering power and performance without burning more fuel and discharging greater emissions into our fragile atmosphere. Unfortunately, at present EcoBoost is only available in Canada on the Flex Limited AWD, for which a minimum outlay of $46,599 is required.
And in a nod to patriotism, the Flex EcoBoost is built in Oakville, Ontario.
photo:Rob Rothwell
2010 Ford Flex Limited AWD EcoBoost
2010 Ford Flex Limited AWD EcoBoost
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