2009 Ford Flex Preview

Apparently, the minivan is dead - at least according to Ford and GeneralMotors. That means two of the big three have dropped their sliding door people haulers, leaving the slack to be picked up by one ailing Chrysler Group and the Japanese and Korean foray. But just because minivan sales have been facing cliff-like sales declines doesn't mean that consumers have less of a demand for six, seven and eight passenger vehicles. Despite their usual inability to carry three rows of passengers and cargo at the same time, consumers are buying into three-row SUVs at an alarming rate, but the quickest growing segment of all are car-like crossovers.

With the Ford Flex, introduced at the New York International Auto Show this week, Ford now has three vehicles to compete in the crossover segment. There's the 7-seat Taurus X, a.k.a. Freestyle (which really ought to be considered a tall station wagon despite having

Ford's crossover lineup is stronger than ever, now that the Flex is here. (Photo: Ford)

one of the most accommodating third rows in the business), the striking 5-seat Edge, and now another full-size crossover that can comfortably seat seven and carry plenty of luggage. It's a true people mover, without theassociated stodgy image.

From most angles, the Flex looks as large as its “large crossover” class category suggests it is, and that is not only due to its actual footprint, being 2.5 inches longer, 4.9 inches wider, 2.7 inches taller, and with a 5.0-inch longer wheelbase than the current full-size Freestyle, but also has to do with its proportions. Wanting to

Almost every seat (but the driver) folds flat for excellent cargo capacity and flexibility. Hmmm... maybe that's where the name "Flex" comes from? (Photo: Ford)

escape the tall narrow look of most crossovers and SUVs, the Flex has shallow glass, blacked out pillars and the strong horizontal strakes that work to reduce the visible height of the crossover, making it look long and lean. It might be the conceptual replacement for the minivan, but there's nothing van-ish at all about the way the Flex looks. And there's no way that this will be mistaken for anything other than a Ford, with its complex yet sophisticatedly angled headlamps and large, three-bar grille all covered in chrome. The dark copper prototype, with a two-toned “White Suede” colored roof that Ford displayed at New York is sure totrigger memories

Contrasting modern and classic styles, wood and metal surround traditional circular gauges. (Photo: Ford)

of the late '80s LTD Country Squire with its big, chrome door handles and other chrome accents. The Flex Limited model (seen here), also has a bright silver tailgate appliqué, which in some ways could be interpreted as a sort of modern “Woody”.

Like the Country Squire that sported the latest 8-track audio equipment of its day, the new Flex is packed with all the newest toys sure to make short journeys easier and road trips enjoyable. It will feature the Ford and Microsoft-developed Sync system for handsfree communication, plus there's even a rear-seat refrigerator available as an option with a proper compressor designed to chill things, not just keep cold objects cold. There's also the option of the multi-panel Vista Roof, which features one small skylight above the driver

Seats six, luxuriously, or seven in standard trim. (Photo: Ford)

and the front passenger, two individual small skylights over the second row, and one large one that covers the surface area for the third row, so no one's left out. The Flex also debuts Ford's second-generation navigation system, which not only features a cleaner,classier design, but integrates the nav, climate control and stereo all into one unit. As with a growing number of cars, the Flex's system also features a built-in hard drive that can copy 150 hours worth of music creating a personal, in-car jukebox.

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