The Ford Flex has been out for almost two years now marching to its own beat. One thing for sure, the Flex brings a decidedly different style to the driveway than most other people movers on the market.With that in mind, Ford has announced a new model to the Flex lineup, Flex Titanium. When the Limited is no longer enough, the Titanium offers more.

“As we look at the reasons people have been buying Flex, there are some very consistent themes running through the research and the main one is style. Flex customers are attracted to the vehicle as one that reflects their personality and allows them to stand out from the crowd. With the Flex Titanium, we are responding to our customers with a vehicle that reflects the unique positioning of Flex in the marketplace.”

Flex Titanium is based off the Limited series but with significant exterior and interior detailing as well as new features. Titanium will feature four exterior color choices: Red Candy, White Platinum, Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver. All are mated to a new Tuxedo Black two-tone roof as well as blackout treatment for headlamps and taillamps. The unique black chrome finish grille with “Flex” badging on the leading edge of the hood is a cue that comes directly from some of the SEMA Flex models shown at the 2008 and 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association shows in Las Vegas.

Continuing the theme, the beltline moldings, fog lamp bezels and side-view mirror skull caps are blackened while the liftgate appliqué is now black chrome. To finish off the exterior look, the 20-inch 10-spoke wheels are polished aluminum.

Inside, Flex Titanium continues to impress, with charcoal black leather-trimmed seats with gray Alcantara suede inserts, circle check appliqués on instrument panel and doors, painted alloy metallic finish on center stack and door panels, a perforated leather steering wheel and illuminated scuff plates.

Along with the visual changes, there are a number of feature add-ons, including HD Radio and one-touch Ford’s PowerFold and tumble third row options. These additional features are a reflection of the early sales mix success Flex has had, with nearly 40 percent of all sales coming with the Limited series and many additional features such as the Vista roof and refrigerator being specified in as many as 60 percent of all eligible vehicles.

The new Ford Flex is the first nameplate to feature the Titanium series in North America. This nameplate strategy has been very successful in Europe, where most vehicle lines feature Titanium as the top-of-the-range model. For example, the seven-seat S-MAX Titanium makes up around 70 percent of the product mix, while the popular Mondeo sells around 55 percent Titanium. The next-generation Ford Focus will also feature Titanium branding in all markets including North America when it arrives in dealer showrooms in early 2011.

 

I really like these things.They remind me of the old woodies.