‘Flex on’
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2453/1/Flex-on/Page1.html
Marcus Amick
By Marcus Amick
Published on 03/5/2008
CHICAGO — So, after nearly a year of writing about the Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, we finally got an opportunity to take one out for some “real road” time. And we figured Chicago would be a cool place to test its appeal.
THE MOST distinguishing feature of the Funkmaster Flex Expedition is the two-tone Colorado Red and Black paint job. - A.J. Mueller Photography
CHICAGO — So, after nearly a year of writing about the Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, we finally got an opportunity to take one out for some “real road” time. And we figured Chicago would be a cool place to test its appeal.
I note it as “real” road time because our automotive photographer A.J. and I first got our hands on a preproduction model of the SUV a year ago in New York for a story we were developing about the hip-hop DJ Funkmaster Flex and the vehicle. Since then, we’ve teamed up to develop nearly seven stories about Flex and his limited edition SUV.
Why? The Funkmaster Flex Expedition is the first limited edition production vehicle bearing the name of an African American to roll of the assembly line. That’s significant for anybody, but especially for an African American. Credit a lot of it to Ford Motor Co.’s efforts to make some of their products hipper in the urban market.
For perspective, think of the Flex Expedition as a more cutting-edge spin on the idea of an “Eddie Bauer” that made the limited edition Ford Explorers popular back in the day.
Ford’s counting on the Funkmaster Flex name to have the same type of appeal in the urban market. And with good reason. I mean, who else could pull in celebrities the likes of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Fat Joe, LL Cool J and John Legend for a launch party for a Ford vehicle? It’s a respect for Funkmaster Flex that dates back years with him being a DJ who has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in hip-hop music.
Funkmaster Flex has been working with Ford to develop the limited edition Expedition, dubbed the “Flexpidition,” for a couple of years as part of an ongoing partnership with Ford to give their products more unique appeal.
Well, after rollin’ the SUV around Chi-Town for a couple of days, I’m convinced they’ve definitely done that with the Flex Expedition.
The limited edition SUV, with only 650 produced for 2008, is most easily distinguished by its two-tone Colorado Red and Black exterior paint job with an orange pin stripe. The two-tone red and black color combination is also featured in the interior.
The “Flexpidition” is equipped with second-row captain's chairs, power moonroof, Funkmaster Flex prep package, rearview camera, and a heavy-duty trailer-towing package. Flex’s trademark “FMF” signature is featured everywhere on the vehicle from the exterior to the headrests on the seats and center console.
Personally, I’d like the “Flexpidition” more if it came in all black. The two-tone red and black is a bit too much for me as an everyday vehicle. But based on the response we got from people on the street, a lot of people in its target demographic like it just the way it is. And they like a lot. Practically everywhere we drove the Expedition in Chicago it got looks and nods of approval.
During an earlier photo shoot of the Flex Expedition in Detroit last year, a guy pulled up next to the SUV and said he wouldn’t have even considered buying the Expedition until he saw the Flex model. That I guess would be the basis of why they call the “Flexpidition” a “specialty” or “limited edition” vehicle. Simply put, you might not like it because it’s not intended to appeal to everybody, but it has its niche.
Options include a navigation radio, power liftgate, Sirius radio, loading-leveling rear suspension, rear-seat entertainment DVD, and dealer-installed items for the Funkmaster Flex package. It’s an option package that pushes the price to $55,895 – more than $8,000 than a base Flex Expedition.
The “Flexpidition” comes equipped with Ford’s basic 20” chrome clad wheels because the automaker’s betting that most people who buy the SUV will customize it with their own wheels anyway. I’m guessing that’s a decision that could have gone either way if Ford had a nice set of optional wheels to offer with the SUV. Ford featured some nice wheels on the SUV when it made its debut at the New York auto show last year. I think they sold the idea short by not offering the wheels as at least an option on the Flex package.
The Funkmaster Flex Expedition doesn’t feature any special engine or performance modifications. The SUV comes equipped with Ford’s 5.4-liter V8, which has 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft. of torque, which is more than adequate power for the full size SUV. The Funkmaster Flex Expedition is also available in two-wheel drive, and a four-wheel-drive model.
The gas mileage is 12 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway, which isn’t that great. But if you’re considering buying the Flex Expedition, gas mileage is probably the last thing on your mind, right?
A two-tone red and black full-size SUV with 20” wheels is about as far away from the idea of “green” as you can go. You’re better off looking at an Escape if the cost of gas is an issue.
Marcus Amick is a co-host of MotorRocks.com, a national automotive entertainment website.
SPECS
$55,895 as tested
Signature “FMF” badges
Optional rear-entertainment DVD
Captains Chairs
20” Chrome Clad Wheels
CHICAGO — So, after nearly a year of writing about the Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, we finally got an opportunity to take one out for some “real road” time. And we figured Chicago would be a cool place to test its appeal. Limited edition Ford Expedition hits mark
THE MOST distinguishing feature of the Funkmaster Flex Expedition is the two-tone Colorado Red and Black paint job. - A.J. Mueller Photography
CHICAGO — So, after nearly a year of writing about the Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, we finally got an opportunity to take one out for some “real road” time. And we figured Chicago would be a cool place to test its appeal.
I note it as “real” road time because our automotive photographer A.J. and I first got our hands on a preproduction model of the SUV a year ago in New York for a story we were developing about the hip-hop DJ Funkmaster Flex and the vehicle. Since then, we’ve teamed up to develop nearly seven stories about Flex and his limited edition SUV.
Why? The Funkmaster Flex Expedition is the first limited edition production vehicle bearing the name of an African American to roll of the assembly line. That’s significant for anybody, but especially for an African American. Credit a lot of it to Ford Motor Co.’s efforts to make some of their products hipper in the urban market.
For perspective, think of the Flex Expedition as a more cutting-edge spin on the idea of an “Eddie Bauer” that made the limited edition Ford Explorers popular back in the day.
Ford’s counting on the Funkmaster Flex name to have the same type of appeal in the urban market. And with good reason. I mean, who else could pull in celebrities the likes of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Fat Joe, LL Cool J and John Legend for a launch party for a Ford vehicle? It’s a respect for Funkmaster Flex that dates back years with him being a DJ who has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in hip-hop music.
Funkmaster Flex has been working with Ford to develop the limited edition Expedition, dubbed the “Flexpidition,” for a couple of years as part of an ongoing partnership with Ford to give their products more unique appeal.
Well, after rollin’ the SUV around Chi-Town for a couple of days, I’m convinced they’ve definitely done that with the Flex Expedition.
The limited edition SUV, with only 650 produced for 2008, is most easily distinguished by its two-tone Colorado Red and Black exterior paint job with an orange pin stripe. The two-tone red and black color combination is also featured in the interior.
The “Flexpidition” is equipped with second-row captain's chairs, power moonroof, Funkmaster Flex prep package, rearview camera, and a heavy-duty trailer-towing package. Flex’s trademark “FMF” signature is featured everywhere on the vehicle from the exterior to the headrests on the seats and center console.
Personally, I’d like the “Flexpidition” more if it came in all black. The two-tone red and black is a bit too much for me as an everyday vehicle. But based on the response we got from people on the street, a lot of people in its target demographic like it just the way it is. And they like a lot. Practically everywhere we drove the Expedition in Chicago it got looks and nods of approval.
During an earlier photo shoot of the Flex Expedition in Detroit last year, a guy pulled up next to the SUV and said he wouldn’t have even considered buying the Expedition until he saw the Flex model. That I guess would be the basis of why they call the “Flexpidition” a “specialty” or “limited edition” vehicle. Simply put, you might not like it because it’s not intended to appeal to everybody, but it has its niche.
Options include a navigation radio, power liftgate, Sirius radio, loading-leveling rear suspension, rear-seat entertainment DVD, and dealer-installed items for the Funkmaster Flex package. It’s an option package that pushes the price to $55,895 – more than $8,000 than a base Flex Expedition.
The “Flexpidition” comes equipped with Ford’s basic 20” chrome clad wheels because the automaker’s betting that most people who buy the SUV will customize it with their own wheels anyway. I’m guessing that’s a decision that could have gone either way if Ford had a nice set of optional wheels to offer with the SUV. Ford featured some nice wheels on the SUV when it made its debut at the New York auto show last year. I think they sold the idea short by not offering the wheels as at least an option on the Flex package.
The Funkmaster Flex Expedition doesn’t feature any special engine or performance modifications. The SUV comes equipped with Ford’s 5.4-liter V8, which has 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft. of torque, which is more than adequate power for the full size SUV. The Funkmaster Flex Expedition is also available in two-wheel drive, and a four-wheel-drive model.
The gas mileage is 12 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway, which isn’t that great. But if you’re considering buying the Flex Expedition, gas mileage is probably the last thing on your mind, right?
A two-tone red and black full-size SUV with 20” wheels is about as far away from the idea of “green” as you can go. You’re better off looking at an Escape if the cost of gas is an issue.
Marcus Amick is a co-host of MotorRocks.com, a national automotive entertainment website.
SPECS
$55,895 as tested
Signature “FMF” badges
Optional rear-entertainment DVD
Captains Chairs
20” Chrome Clad Wheels