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8 WHEELS June 20 2008 You are going to hear a lot about the 2009 Flex because Ford is justifiably trumpeting its arrival as the full-size completion of a crossover lineup that started with the Taurus X and the mid-size Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX siblings. And in the midst of all the automotive downturn rum- blings its good to hear of 500 new Canadian jobs as the Oakville plant gears up meet demand. But even if you somehow didnt hear about the Flex, you are going to notice it. As a matter of fact, itll be darned hard to miss with its unapologetic two-box design and a shape thats been compared to everything from the woody wagons of the past to an overgrown MINI to Scions and Elements to, heck, I dont know what, since its different from any- thing else in the full-size market. Its shape is instantly iconic, with a profile that will be as readily identified as other distinctive vehicles, from the Model T to VW Beetle, HUMMER and Jeep. Ford labels the Flex as a vehicle that dares to be dif- ferent. Well, different can be good but it can also be danger- ous, with a polarizing design that leaves little room for indifference. Which means you are going to either love it or hate it. At first we were uncomfortable with the way Flex could polarize but its ability to compel an opinion, good or bad, was fascinating, said Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, The Americas. It inspired us forward with the courage to create a breakthrough design. Horbury also joked that Flex design started with an Etch-A-Sketch instead of a computer. The square-angled style stays faithful to the Fairlane con- cept that debuted in 2005, but it loses the dumb suicide doors and, like the rest of the modern Ford lineup, expands on the three-bar grille, horizontal inspiration of the 427 con- cept and production Fusion. Its hailed as a family-touring replacement for the Windstar/Freestar minivan, its built on a stretched platform from the Taurus X (formerly Freestyle) and, despite Ford denials, together with Edge; it will proba- bly doom that bland Taurus X within a few years. Fords impressive Flex will be hard to ignore As classy as its environment in downtown New York City, the 2009 Ford Flex dares to be different with a strikingly square-shaped design packed with innovative features. See FORDS, pg. 8 ROB BEINTEMA Special to The IFP PUT STATE FARM TO WORK THIS WEEKEND. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Canadian Head Office: Aurora, Ontario Insurance and discounts subject to qualifications.PO50049CN 02/08 LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR, STATE FARM IS THERE. Providing Insurance and Financial Services Get in touch with me when you have time. Get a free car insurance quote, find out what discounts you qualify for and purchase a policy any time of the day or night. Get a free car insurance quotesave up to 30% Call my office 24/7. Lora Greene CIP CFP, Agent 211 Guelph Street, Unit 6 Georgetown, ON L7G 5B5 Bus: 905-873-1615 lora@loragreene.ca A Salute to our Hometown Graduates 2008 Dont Miss This Special FeatureDont Miss This Special Feature Friday, June 27thFriday, June 27th $68$68 in full colour! in full colour! Call or email Special Features to book your grad in today! 905-873-0301 ext. 237 or e-mail features@independentfreepress.com