Ford Flex "World's First Trouser- and Dress-friendly Vehicle"
Our Man Berkowitz loved the Ford Flex. He waxed eloquent about the interior, the looks, how it rides and way (he's heard) it drives. However, as Ford points out in their latest press release, there's one major feature he overlooked: "It's the world's first trouser- and dress-friendly vehicle." Yes, dry cleaners across the country are dreading the debut of the Flex because "the Flex team engineered into Ford's newest crossover a concealed rocker panel" that "minimizes your clothes' exposure to the elements." And since "some dry cleaners charg(e) as much as $10 to launder a pair of slacks," owners reap "immediate and tangible benefit" from driving this $30k "alternative people mover." Justin, I'm so disappointed in you for not bringing this ground-breaking design element to our attention. Must. Do. Better.
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The features sound like a good idea. But it wouldn't convince me to buy a Flex. In fact, is ford getting desperate or what? How much does this vehicle weight? Sounds to me that ford, like GM, has missed the boat again. Another 3ton??? vehicle that will end up consuming alof of $4gal gas. GM's CUV's are already starting to lose sales. Their gas mileage is not that much better that the SUV"s they replaced. So I can't see that many people getting excited over this heavy weight. What ford needs is a medium sized wagon that gets around 30+ on the highway. Doesn't sound like this one will come close.
Curb weight is estimated to be around 4400-4600 pounds, which is a bit heavy, but on par with the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Kia Sedona.
This is a thoughtful and handy feature. I know, because my 1988 SAAB 9000 did the same thing. The doors were long enough to cover the sills, keeping them clean and dry. Good to see this feature return, even if it's not a "first."