(First drive) Ford flex

摘要

What do you see when you look at this vehicle? A 4/3-scale Mini Clubman? An overinflated Scion xB? A long wagon? A low minivan? Ford wants you to see a 1986 Taurus.a 1965 Mustang, or a 1956T-Bird.A design icon.Whether or not you can squint that hard, the new Flex will never sell in numbers like some of those earlier icons, but its sleek, striking design and execution seem likely to propel it to more auspicious sales than the last "game-changing" low-roof three-row Grand Tourer to come down the pike-Chrysler's Pacifica. Part of that vehicle's problem was that its foundation was a high, flat minivan floorpan and firewall, which imposed some serious design constraints. Ford started with the Taurus/Taurus X foundation-footwells, center hump, and all-and moved the rear wheels five inches aft, with all proceeds going to benefit rear-seat legroom.The result is a roomier vehicle that's only slightly longer and lower than the Taurus X but looks considerably sleeker.