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Chrisotpher Jackson | 3/19/2008 | Ford
Between Eddie Bauer, King Ranch and Harley-Davidson, Ford's got so many trucks with marketing tie-ins that it's a wonder it has time to build any of its own products. This doesn't mean that Ford is slapping sponsorship badges on like NASCAR decals, though. If anything, the boys from Dearborn are making every special edition bolder and more special than before.
At the annual Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas in 2006, Ford brought out an Expedition tricked out by noted hip-hop artist and car guy Funkmaster Flex. The modified Expedition was such a hit that Ford decided to make a limited edition out of it, and now you can have your own red and black Expedition just like Flex's. Say hello to the 2008 Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition.
About seven hundred "Flexpeditions" will be hitting the road in '08. Customization work is done at a separate facility, and then the vehicles return to the plant for inspection and shipping. True to his style, Funkmaster Flex didn't just slap some paint and wheels on the Expedition. A 3d Carbon body kit, as well as special black and red paint with orange pinstriping, are what set the Flexpedition apart from the standard truck. It's impossible to miss, even at a glance. The smoothed-in bumpers and hidden trailer hitch give the truck a boxier, more aggressive look, and the two-tone paint has the effect of simultaneously making the truck look smaller and enabling it to stand out in a crowd. A set of unique 20" chrome wheels with "FMF" badges completes the exterior package. It's available as a standard-length truck only; there won't be any Flexpedition EL models.
Inside, the Flexpedition sports a matching red upper console. The quad captain's chairs are black and red with red stitching, matching the exterior. The Flexpedition is based on the Expedition Limited, and carries that truck's complement of standard equipment: power-folding third-row seat, 340-watt sound system, MP3 jack, heated and cooled front seats. Standard Expedition options like a power tailgate, navigation system and rear-seat DVD player are also available. Improvements to the body reduce road noise, making the Flexpedition quieter on the road.
It's clearly not intended to be a work truck, but the Flexpedition actually retains all of the capability of the stock Expedition, including the 9000-pound-plus towing capacity. The body kit and large wheels give it a slammed-to-the-ground look, but the ride height has not been changed. The independent rear suspension provides a graceful ride on or off pavement, and to prove that it's no poseur, I took the Flexpedition on a short off-road course to test out the all-wheel drive. On pavement, the standard AdvanceTrac stability control and Roll Stability Control programming ensure that this big sport-ute feels secure even in inclement weather and emergency maneuvers.
Power is provided by Ford's three-valve 5.4 liter V8. Thanks to variable cam timing, this 300 horsepower engine feels smooth and relaxed at all speeds. A new six-speed automatic transmission improves economy slightly, and reduces engine speed on the freeway. With more gear choices available, there's a greater tendency to hunt for gears over the road, but the 5.4 is so quiet and the new tranny so smooth that you probably won't notice it.
It's got power, grace and pace. If you're looking to make an impression and the stately chromed-out Escalade and Navigator don't quite do it for you, the new Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition offers a different take on "upscale." It's priced competitively to the big boys from Lincoln, Cadillac, Infiniti and others as well, with an MSRP of $40,910 that includes the entire Funkmaster Flex Edition package.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition
Length: 206.5 in.
Width: 91.8 in. (includes mirrors)
Height: 77.2 in.
Wheelbase: 119.0 in.
Curb weight: 5783 lb.
Cargo space: 108.3 cu.ft. (all seats folded)
Towing capacity: 9050 lb.
Base price: $40,910
Price as tested: $40,910
Engine: 5.4 liter SOHC V8
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 300 @ 5000
Torque: 365 @ 3750
Fuel capacity: 28.0 gal.
Est. mileage: 12/18
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