Comments on: Ford announces EcoBoost option for 2010 Flex

By: aesir

aesir — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:03:14 +0000

Lionwithoutpride hit the nail on the head. If I had three kids I would drive one of these over a minivan any day.

By: Lionwithoutpride

Lionwithoutpride — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:17:11 +0000

To those who don’t see a purpose to the Flex I can only say look at your average college student. They drive aging SUVs and wagons (lots of them Volvos). What is so great about SUVs and wagons? You can haul your entire life to school and home every nine months. You can carry a lot of friends around. You will be popular when it is time to get the kegs or return them. You don’t see as many of the SUVs that are rounded off. Why? My friends and I actually did use to talk about this. If you round off the tail end you lose utility. You might get better fuel economy, but you aren’t going to fit a chair and bureau in there sitting up.

There are a lot of families that want the same type of utility. The Flex offers utility and, like the article says, if you want to be a little different . . . man are you going to be different. The Flex really is love-it-or-leave-it, but that’s okay! We don’t all want to drive utilitarian vehicles (e.g. the Camry) that make no statement other than that we like to wear a suit to bed (e.g. the Camry . . . of course, this is just my subjective view of the Camry and I happen to like the Flex’s styling . . . yeah . . . I’ll leave it at that . . . and Holy Ellipses Batman! . . .)

. . .

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:33:57 +0000

Ecoboost is more than just a couple turbochargers stuck on the engine. A lot of time has gone into tuning the torque curve so that an optimal axle ratio can be put in place to optimize fuel economy. My point is that Ford did more than slap some turbos on the 3.5 and call it a day. And while VW has a similar program in place, they suck at optimizing the fuel economy on those vehicles. VW’s 2.0T in a Jetta will land you with 29 mpg hwy. Ford’s 2.0T in a Fusion will probably land you around 34-35. You’ll get 29 out of a CUV with that engine. And that’s for 40-60 more horses than VW provides. Step down to the 1.6 in a car the size of the Fusion or Jetta, and you’ll end up 40+ on the highway at 180/180.

The technology itself has been around for a while. The technology to optimize if the way Ford is aiming to hasn’t. That’s all computers and new direct injection technology.

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:16:32 +0000

This term eco boost is so lame. Its a turbo charger, not some flower emitting magic power booster that will save the world. Does Ford think people will be stupid enough to think that eco boost is something new and wonderful? Its just a turbo charger, an 80 year old German invention.

By: hummah

hummah — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:40:37 +0000

Must have twin turbo F150…

By: ltbullitt

ltbullitt — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:39:21 +0000

Bankruptcy this car is a love it or hate it car, you obviously hate it, but it offers something fresh compared to the rest of all the look alike crossovers. This car has helped Ford get noticed. This car was showcased at SEMA and there where many amazing examples. My only problem is fuel economy. Ford only told us combined and highway…..wonder why? Cause it only gets city in the high teens. The thing weighs 2 tons so the car is heavy and I guess you cant ask much more from a car of this weight.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:14:03 +0000

They have a 2.0 Ecoboost set for the 2011MY, I believe. That should deliver closer to 30 mpg highway. In fact, it may deliver the same or better mileage than the Highlander’s 4-cyl with 260hp. Ford knows where it’s heading and the plan isn’t bad at all.

By: Bankruptcy2009

Bankruptcy2009 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:17:07 +0000

This is not the direction Ford needs to go in. Crossover are Butt Ugly. I said your doing better Ford not Great. Need to get rid of **** Boxes like this not come out with more of em like this. This is something only a mother could love; then you drop a major motor in it.You have to be careful otherwise you’lll canabalize your lineup.

By: neptronix

neptronix — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:01:23 +0000

Seems kind of overpowered for what it is.
They should offer a smaller motor, like a 3.2 or 3.0 turbo DI.
But i guess when you’re hauling all 5 of your fat ass american family members around, that
extra power is needed.

good thinking, ford ;D

By: Borat

Borat — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:54:57 +0000

Out of all people who purchased this barn on wheels, which one complained about lack of propulsion?