Scott Burgess: Review

Expedition with attitude

Hip-hop DJ’s expertly built SUV commands attention on the road

CLEVELAND — Cruising to Cleveland requires a good stereo, a solid ride and the constitution to stay awake no matter how flat the Interstate.

This road trip had two objectives: Test the 2008 Ford Expedition designed by Funkmaster Flex and watch Madonna drop the F-Bomb during her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Flex, the 39-year-old hip-hop DJ with more gearhead cred than Mr. Goodwrench, has had an ongoing relationship with Ford Motor Co. to design and build concept vehicles. But the Flexpedition, as most call the limited-edition model, is the real deal and is rolling off the production line.

His mission was to spin a hulking SUV into an urban rider. Flex did more than transform an Expedition Limited model into the FMF Expedition; he tapped into a customer base that Ford doesn’t always reach: young people. Its two-tone exterior and 20-inch wheels will turn heads whether it’s pulling out of a suburban garage or parked outside a city cafe.

Ford built 650 Flexpeditions at Wayne’s Michigan Truck plant but has not said whether it will produce more. All of the models are on sale at Ford dealerships. Now, if you have an aversion to big SUVs or Michigan’s own Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Ritchie (you can see why she uses just one name), just stop reading and go e-mail some friends on the goodness of cloth shopping bags and Credence Clearwater Revival. You’ll have no interest in the dozen Madonna song references from here to the end.

The Flexpedition is a lot like Madonna: unrepentant. It makes no apologies for its size, its fuel consumption, its roomy interior or the commotion it causes wherever it rolls. It’s a material world, baby — get over yourself, and, while you’re at it, get out of the way.

Color makes a statement

Driving my $49,000 test vehicle (the starting MSRP is $40,910, including $900 shipping) to Cleveland, I watched lots of people move out of the way. The Flexpedition’s intimidating mammoth red grille looks like a solar eclipse from any rearview mirror in a car. The overall size of any Expedition is impressive: 206.5-inches long, 77.2-inches tall, 91.8-inches wide (including the mirrors).

The Colorado Red body — the same red found on Mustangs — with black roof and hood stripes makes a statement. And the people who noticed it — the ones who sped up next to me as though I were a beautiful stranger to present a thumbs up or roll down their window to ask what I’m driving — all were under 30, a group every carmaker wants to reach. They’re hip, they’re cool, they’re the kind of people who would never hang out with me. They were in kindergarten when "Like A Virgin" hit the charts in 1984.

The first difference between a regular Expedition and the Flexpedition is the 3dCarbon body kit installed around the base of Flex’s model. It creates a low-riding effect on the SUV and accents the 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. The flashy FMF badge on the fenders is usually the second thing people notice. The unusual color mix and subtle changes made people unsure of what I was driving. In parking lots around Detroit, people would ask, "Hey, what is that?"

The one element Flex left alone was the 5.4-liter V-8 under the bulging red hood. There was no need. The 300-horsepower engine provides plenty of pep. Cruising at 80 mph is a cinch; in Ohio, though, I’d suggest cruise control be set it at 62.5 mph (state troopers turn their heads to watch the Flexpedition too). The six-speed automatic transmission is smooth, giving the SUV an easy ride. The tranny also helps it reach 18 mpg on the highway.

Keeping the speed down, I managed 19 mpg on my trip back from Cleveland. With city driving, the EPA says to expect 12 mpg; expect less with fun, hard driving. Those are certainly not Earth Day friendly figures, but last I checked, an SUV is still legal to own.

Attitude can’t be beat

The ride is smooth, clean and quiet. Like all Expeditions, the FMF Expedition is built on a fully boxed frame and includes an independent front suspension and five-link independent rear suspension. For a vehicle with a 119-inch wheelbase and a curb weight of 5,548 pounds, the Flexpedition is well-mannered.

The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering can feel a little light at highway speeds, but it never feels uncomfortably loose and remains well-balanced. Driving in rush hour traffic in downtown Cleveland, I never had a problem maneuvering. The SUV’s size may make it cumbersome to park, but it’s great for long hauls on big family vacations. Additionally, the big engine means the two-wheel drive FMF Expedition can tow 9,200 pounds, thanks to its 365 pound-feet of torque. It’s capable; it’s strong and lets you express yourself in style.

While Flex’s exterior design attracts attention, his interior work is what makes this SUV a keeper, with more splashes of red than a CSI: Miami crime scene involving power tools.

The red stitching on the black leather seats pops. The FMF winged logos on the head rests look classic. The red center stack, which includes a dash plaque to tell you which numbered edition your SUV is, adds a touch of individuality (though I wish the plaque opened up to provide storage under it). Other interior additions include second-row captain chairs, PowerFold third-row seats, heated and cooled front seats, specialized floor mats and a 340-watt stereo. All are standard on the Flexpedition.

The stereo, which includes an auxiliary jack for a personal music player, cranks, making the rearview mirror vibrate with every beat if you’re really into the groove. Every seat is comfortable and roomy and each row provides more leg room and space. The third row offers 37.7 inches of leg room — more than half a foot more than the average coach class airline seat. The second-row captain chairs have 39.1 inches and the front seats have 41.1 inches, providing yet another example of driving being more comfortable than flying.

But the regular Expedition offers just as much space for less money. So why consider the Flexpedition?

It’s a matter of attitude. There is no big SUV on the road that comes with the attitude of this red and black bomber. It’s not a hip-hop mobile or a cheap impersonation of the celebrity endorsing it. It’s muscle and prestige, a sanctuary in chaotic traffic, a reflection of the man who designed it and a representation of the ideal American life for the person who buys it.

It’s not your typical SUV — it’s a little star and it may not end up in any hall of fame, but it headlines wherever it goes.