Ford Flex EcoBoost

The Flex is a plausible, different and relatively economical large family car that we would pick over a brash SUV if we lived in the US. More importantly, it shows Ford of America’s commitment to build more economical vehicles. But the key is its EcoBoost technology. Our time behind the wheel proves this has the potential to dramatically improve the fuel returns of the Galaxy and S-MAX MPVs, without affecting how they drive.

No, it’s not a giant MINI! This is the new Flex – an America-only seven-seater that’s one of the first Fords to get the latest EcoBoost engine technology.

Over the coming months, EcoBoost will become a big deal for buyers looking to save money and reduce emissions. It uses turbocharging and high-pressure direct injection to improve fuel economy by as much as 20 per cent.

And it will make its UK debut in the S-MAX and Galaxy people carriers in the spring. EcoBoost will also be at the heart of the new Focus range (see Page 12).

Customers in the States get to benefit now, as the engines have slashed running costs for family cars like the Flex. This five metre-long, spacious and comfortable seven-seater has the biggest EcoBoost engine yet – a whopping 3.5-litre petrol V6 delivering 350bhp. Even so, it’s capable of returning 26mpg. That’s not great by European standards, but it represents an improvement of one-fifth for the powerful four-wheel-drive two-tonne bus.

Mind you, ‘bus’ is a little unfair. It’s a shame Ford has no plans to bring the Flex to this side of the Atlantic, as we really liked it. Not only is the car huge inside, with access to the cabin easy for all the family, it offers punchy performance, too.

EcoBoost technology not only aids efficiency, but also brings useful mid-range thrust and better responses than a naturally aspirated powerplant. And despite the boxy shape, the Flex drives just as well as a conventional SUV, with decent agility on twisty roads.

In our view, it even looks pretty good. And adding to the appeal is the raft of latest Ford technology that’s included as standard – some of which will grace forthcoming models over the coming months. Leading the way is Active Park Assist, which parallel parks the car for you. That’s nothing new in itself – high-end Lexus and Mercedes models have a similar set-up – but Ford’s is the most intuitive we’ve used to date. You simply press a button and drive past a space with your indicator on. The car scans the gap, then reverses in automatically. All you do is operate the throttle and brakes. It really couldn’t be simpler.  

Active Park will appear on the S-MAX and Galaxy ranges within the next six months, alongside the EcoBoost tech.

A 2.0-litre powerplant will be introduced in the seven-seaters in April, and promises to combine 203bhp with “impressive” economy.

Of course, Ford won’t offer the Flex’s 350bhp V6 in its strong-selling people carriers. But the unit shows the incredible potential of EcoBoost – and proves buyers have a lot to look forward to.

Rival: Ford S-MAX
it’s not a direct rival, but an illustration of the differences in approach to seven-seaters between the US and Europe. The S-MAX features ambitious looks and drives well, but isn’t as outrageously designed or engineered as the Flex.