Auto Trends

Photos originally uploaded by Ford Motor Company

The Flex was initially introduced by Ford to give a fresh option to the standard minivan or crossover. Looking at the Flex from a distance, one could say that it looks a bit like the cross between a Dodge Magnum and a Scion xB. It has the same boxy, delivery truck appeal of the xB, but with the much more muscular stance of a Magnum.

One of the unique attributes of the Flex is its practicality and stylishness. The Flex offers 83 cubic feet of cargo space, which can also haul seven full-grown adults comfortably. With the same unique appeal as the Chrysler PT Cruiser when it was first unleashed, the Flex is the new kid on the block and has been turning some heads.

Thus far in the Flex’s introduction it has received mostly praise from consumers and critics alike. One of the biggest surprises about the Flex is its top notch interior which features some very nice “soft touch” materials, top notch leather perforated seats (optional), and quite an array of optional high tech multimedia equipment (10-speaker stereo, integrated back-up camera, and of course Ford’s Sync).

For 2009 the powertrain is Ford’s new lovechild, the 3.5 liter V-6, which makes a healthy 262 horsepower and 248 torque breathing on its own accord. For 2010, Ford will have a Sport Edition Ecoboost equipped with turbo (similar to the 2010Taurus SHO) that will pound out 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque with standard 87 octane fuel.

An available all-wheel-drive (AWD) option gives the Flex a lot more flex-ibility through its six-speed automatic transmission. There is unfortunately no manual transmission option at this time, but fuel economy remains fairly competitive for its class, at 16/23 (AWD) and 17/24 front-wheel-drive (FWD).

For a vehicle coming in at under $30,000, the Flex offers a lot of basic convenience features in its base form, such as climate control, power seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and rear-park assist. For those who prefer to be pampered a little more, additional upgrades include voice recognition multimedia, rear-seat refrigerator, vista roof (sun roof), cap-less fuel fill-up, 19-inch alloy wheels, power liftgate, xenon headlights, heated seats, and a wood grain trim.

While the inexpensive (Under $30,000) roadster segment of the automotive industry has been for the most fairy rather sparse, with only two real competitors in this price range, the Mazda Miata MX-5 and Pontiac Solstice. They can probably expect some more competition in the not too distant future.

It seems like every manufacture has a roadster these days. Audi has its TT, Chrysler its Crossfire, BMW its Z3/Z4, Honda its S2000, Porsche its Boxster, and the list goes on. There is also talk of several more roadsters hot off the rumor press which could be making their way into a driveway near you by 2012.

Photo via Auto Express

Rumor has it that Mini has a roadster in the works. They have been heading in that direction over the years, but have just taken the long route to getting there. The Mini Roadster will be based off of their current cabrio, minus the rear seats of course and extra curb weight. John Cooper Works will also be working on a souped up 223 horsepower version, which could end up putting down some serious track numbers unlike anything we have seen before from Mini.

Okay, so we don’t know exactly how this one will look, but probably a lot cooler than this rendition!

BMW (and Mercedes) might also be in the process of getting new roadsters. The BMW would be classified as a Z2, and most speculation puts it at somewhere around 150 horsepower (with a 300 hp turbo option), placing it right in competition with the Miata. We could probably also expect to see EV (Electric Vehicle) versions of these roadsters in the future, focused towards fans of the Tesla who don’t have $100,000 to spend on a two-seat “fun” car.

originally uploaded by AutoAlert - theautoalert.blogspot’s

Mazda might have a mini-roadster in the making, but only this time a rear-wheel drive. It won’t be a serious sport competitor with its rumored 1.0 or 1.3-liter engine, but it will make a nice entry level roadster, and would probably be a heck of a lot more fun to drive than the Smart Fortwo drop top. There is also speculation of a Madza MX-2 roadster, featuring as much as 160 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.6-liter powerplant.

All Photos originally uploaded by Zane Merva

Ford Saved the Best for Last

Continuing on from Part 1 of our preview of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, I can’t think of any better way to begin than where the SHO has always shined best… its performance.

Engine & Performance
The standard Taurus receives a perky 3.5-liter Ecotec engine, featuring 263 horsepower. Don’t let the “eco” fool you though, as this engine is actually not all that great on gas mileage. On average it has received a reported 18 mpg by most testers from its claimed 17 city/25 highway. But we are not here to talk about “average”. This is the twin-turbocharged SHO, which is anything but average.

Ford has taken their direct injection 3.5-liter Ecotec and boosted it to a whopping 365 horsepower and 350 ft-lbs torque. The twin-turbo set-up enables the SHO to hold a fairly stable torque curve throughout most of its rpm range and almost completely eliminates lag. Its 350 ft-lbs of torque jump in at about 1,500 rpm and holds strong through 5,000 rpm, tapering off slightly until reaching its 6,250 rpm rev limit.

This combination of technology and brute boost performance is thought to give the SHO a zero to sixty capability of less than the 6-second range. Add in the optional performance package with the shorter 3.16:1 gear ratio and you could be talking close to a 5.5 second 0-60 and quarter mile times somewhere in the 13’s. No guarantees though, this is just a guesstimate.

These numbers is actually pretty impressive considering the SHO comes in weighing close to 4,400 pounds, which is certainly no lightweight. It is a good 100 to 400 pounds over most AWD luxury sport sedans it will be in competition with, such as Audi and BMW.

The only real downer about the SHO’s performance, is thanks to its traction control and rather “controlled” AWD set-up, its burnouts are limited to only a few chirps. But no mind, this is a quasi-luxury sedan, not a Bullit Mustang, so you can’t hold that against it.

Transmission & Handling
The SHO receives a 6-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the wheel to allow the driver to feel a little more involved in their driving experience. By all reports the shifts are solid and smooth, and the only complaint might be that they are slightly more luxury-oriented than was expected from the SHO.

The suspension is upgraded from the base Taurus model, offering 19-inch wheels, performance brake pads, sport-tuned steering, shocks, springs, bushings, and a beefier stabilizer bar front and back. Cornering in the SHO is said to be predictable and balanced.

The SHO stays relatively flat when pushing the corners, and all that is suffers in the “ride” department, compared to the base Taurus, is a little more jarring when hitting dips or crossing a railroad track. All-in-all most reviewers complain that the luxury balance of the suspension actually take away from the “feel” of the road.

In other words, some reviewers think that the SHO could use to be a little more rough around the edges. They say you can’t hear or feel the road, due to its superb fit and finish. The only way you know you are moving really, really fast, is the blur of the trees you are passing by.

All this says to me is that Ford basically did what it had set out to do. Just one look at the exterior will tell you this is much more of a luxury sedan than a Pontiac G8 GXP. The SHO badge is, well, simply for show. It’s a little more fun than your standard fare Audi A6, but not quite as raw as a Shelby GT-500, but I think most luxury sedan drivers can live with that!