Ford Adds Top-End Titanium Model to Flex Lineup

Ford is enhancing its 2011 Flex crossover lineup with the addition of the new range-topping Titanium model. Set to arrive in U.S. showrooms later this summer, the Titanium is based on the Limited series model adding certain unique exterior and interior details as well as some new features.

It is available in a choice of four exterior colors -Red Candy, White Platinum, Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver, all of which are mated to a new Tuxedo Black two-tone roof as well as blackout treatment for headlamps and taillamps.

Other exterior features include the black chrome finish grille with "Flex" badging on the edge of the hood as well as the blackened beltline moldings, fog lamp bezels, side-view mirror skull caps and liftgate appliqué.

Finally, the Titanium rides on unique 20- inch, 10-spoke polished aluminum wheels shod in 225/45/ R20 all-season tires.

Inside, aside from the charcoal black leather-trimmed seats with gray Alcantara suede inserts, the Titanium also gets 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.

Ford also added new features to the crossover's standard equipment, including HD Radio and one-touch PowerFold and tumble third row options.

The Flex Titanium is available with either a naturally aspirated 262HP 3.5-liter V6 or a 355HP 3.5-liter V6 turbocharged EcoBoost unit.

Prices (not including $775 destination charges) are set at $40,340 for the 3.5L FWD, $42,190 for the 3.5L AWD and at $45,185 for the 3.5L EcoBoost AWD model.

Ford Confirms 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost Turbo for F-150, 2.0-liter Turbo for Explorer and Edge

Over the past few months we've heard several rumors regarding the models that will get FoMoCo's EcoBoost turbocharged engines.

Now, the Detroit automaker has officially confirmed that the 2011 F-150 pickup truck will be offered with its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 upgraded for rear-wheel-drive applications, while a new 2.0-liter inline-four turbo will find its way under the hood of the next next-generation Ford Explorer SUV and Edge CUV.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost unit will be launched along with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter EcoBoost unit, which will be used initially on the European C-Max people mover, by the end of the year.

Ford said that over the next few years, it plans to equip as much as 80 percent of the firm's global nameplates and 90 percent of North American nameplates with EcoBoost.

The company added that by the end of 2012, 98 percent of its North American market vehicles will be equipped with more fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions and that by 2014, as many as 20 percent of its global nameplates will be fitted with stop/start systems.