hbalek Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/08/2013-ford-flex-revealed-los-angeles-show/ I really like the new front end treatment and surprised they went with a blueoval-less grill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I like it. Explorer is there to snag traditional buyers, so Flex can push the envelope a little further stylistically. Will it help sales? I don't know, but I applaud them foe the effort. Looks good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 I like it. Explorer is there to snag traditional buyers, so Flex can push the envelope a little further stylistically. Will it help sales? I don't know, but I applaud them foe the effort. Looks good. To me, it looks more sophisticated and refined than the original with a bit more attitude too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang84isu Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 The more I look at it the more it grows on me, but I almost wish there was either a blue oval on the bar instead of having FLEX on the sheet metal above. I think it would be really hot if "F O R D" was stamped into the bar with a slim, modern font similar to the Flex font. As for the rear, i think I still prefer the current model. I was surprised to see the off-center Ford logo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Despite being an MCE of an old design, this somehow manages to look like a concept car. The more I see it, the more I like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 Despite being an MCE of an old design, this somehow manages to look like a concept car. The more I see it, the more I like it. There is a sexiness to the front that was missing before. I agree, it looks better the more you look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang84isu Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Did a couple quick chops to see some other grille options. Personally, I like the having Ford on the bar more than spelling Flex out on the sheet metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 For those who hated the three-bar motif, it's almost gone. :P I like the changes. Agree that the hood should say F O R D though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Hm, not warming to it..."something" is missing on that bar, I do like the FLEX or Logo on it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Looks like Ford wants to focus on it's individuality the same way that a Mustang or Thunderbird would not have the blue oval on the front end. Maybe they are trying to lure high end prospective Range Rover buyers with the blocky F L E X letters and make them forget it's a Ford. However, I am reminded more of the nose of an 1980 Econoline Van... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I'm liking the update simple and clean without looking half-assed. That's pretty good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Thumbs up....but I've always loved the FLEX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 That's pretty good! I agree - I like it with the Blue Oval, and am not a fan of F L E X on the hood. If anything it should have said F O R D. I'll have to be careful with my Flex, if anything happens to it I would not replace it with a 2013 Flex. (At least not without a nose job). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 With the restyled grille, you can do (or say) just about anything....get your hairdryers out and remove the logo from the hood and run down to the local Auto Zone for some applique letters in chrome to spell out what you really want to say .... Or simply get a Ford Oval and place it in the middle, but if it were me, I would probably "off center" it to match the rear oval... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I am glad to see that Ford is once again moving away from "The Corporate Grille" design whereas all cars in the line must have the same type of grille style..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 (edited) I approve! I still wouldn't buy one, but they did a fantastic job with that fascia. The bum could have been done better, they needed new lamps. New side mirrors with integrated turn signals would have been nice as well. The interior needed more work than this and I dislike that faux wood across the dash. Edited November 8, 2011 by BORG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnV Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I approve! I still wouldn't buy one, but they did a fantastic job with that fascia. The bum could have been done better, they needed new lamps. Are LED tailights standard across all models now? For the price they charge for a Flex, they should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 (edited) I like it! Except for the rear...I think the Ford oval should have stayed where it was on the back. The front overall just looks cleaner and more streamlined. It's not enough to make me trade the '09 in for a new one though...maybe in a few years... EDIT: I just noticed it has 'S' on the gear indicator. Does the EB have that? Our '09 (non-EB) doesn't have that, so wondering if that is new for '13, or if all EB's have that. EDIT2: I just read the press release and the 'S' is new: The SelectShift advanced gearbox offers the driver a choice between fully automatic operation and manual control. With SelectShift with EcoBoost, paddle shifters are integrated into the steering wheel spokes. Intuitive to operate, a squeeze back on either paddle will deliver an upshift, while a gentle push forward on either paddle will induce a matched-rev downshift. SelectShift won't second-guess the driver with an override shift; manual control is truly manually controlled. The thumb shift is new for 2013 with the standard engine models. Looks like Ford wants to focus on it's individuality the same way that a Mustang or Thunderbird would not have the blue oval on the front end. Maybe they are trying to lure high end prospective Range Rover buyers with the blocky F L E X letters and make them forget it's a Ford. I agree. The Flex has a lot of conquest buyers, and I think helping them "forget" it's a Ford may draw more in. And then, when someone asks "what is that thing?". They will be shocked when told it's a Ford, and make them want to check out Ford even more. Edited November 8, 2011 by fordmantpw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Okay, I'll be the first one to say "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWN!". This won't increase sales one iota. Was nice knowin' ya, Flex. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 At first glance I hated it. I've warmed up to it in the last half hour or so. Definitively looks better then before. I agree. The Flex has a lot of conquest buyers, and I think helping them "forget" it's a Ford may draw more in. And then, when someone asks "what is that thing?". They will be shocked when told it's a Ford, and make them want to check out Ford even more. Olds tried removing the badges from their cars for that very same reason as well (spoiler: It didn't work). In this case, they seem to be doing the opposite of the industry norm and stressing the branding of the model rather then the company. That strategy works for the Mustang (admittedly though, the Mustang is pretty much it's own marketing machine. The galloping horse is probably just as recognizable as the Ford logo). I hope it works. It certainly makes for a clean front end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weiweishen Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I like it. Explorer is there to snag traditional buyers, so Flex can push the envelope a little further stylistically. Will it help sales? I don't know, but I applaud them foe the effort. Looks good. I like it too. I wish I can see it in the next Transformer movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I really like it as is, with the "F L E X" across the hood and everything. If I wasn't so hell bent on getting a new truck, this would DEFINITELY be on my list. I agree that it may not be enough to "save" it, but I am glad they kept the funkiness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weiweishen Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Did a couple quick chops to see some other grille options. Personally, I like the having Ford on the bar more than spelling Flex out on the sheet metal. I admit that your chops really make difference. I really like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 A few observations: I'm surprised the 2.0 EB wasn't offered as an engine option. Since the Flex has the slowest sales volume of all Ford branded vehicles, not surprised that Ford is upping the features list big time to glean more profit from each sale. Might as well. Not a fan of the FLEX name, so putting it so brazenly on front hood like they did with Titanium models only doesn't give anyone a choice now. This is now only vehicle in fleet that gets its nameplate so prominently displayed. I prefer the more subtle approach on rear deck lid in smaller script. Almost as bad as new Dodge Charger with rear LED light bar all the way across that resembles commerical neon sign at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Okay, I'll be the first one to say "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWN!". This won't increase sales one iota. Was nice knowin' ya, Flex. Tell us how you really feel! I doubt it is going to increase sales much, unless they actually advertise it for once! Nobody knows WTH a Flex is! We've had ours for 3 years and 45k miles, and we still have people ask us what it is. Crazy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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