2007 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex

(from Ford Motor Company Press Release) Hip-hop DJ and guru of urban car culture Funkmaster Flex is partnering with Ford to produce his hottest ride yet, the 2007 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex concept. Ford has big plans this year for Funkmaster Flex to help market the redesigned 2007 Expedition and other vehicles.

Funkmaster Flex is among the elite trendsetting builders that customers look to for hot vehicle customization ideas. As the partnership with Flex heads into its third year, Ford is positioning itself to gain more presence in the vehicle personalization marketplace. Ford understands buyers desire to customize and personalize their vehicles. To meet that demand, Ford is increasingly turning to custom builders even before a vehicle goes on sale.

In May, Ford selected Flex from a small group of designers and opened its design studio doors to customize the new 2007 Expedition. Flex then went to work with Ford designer Melvin Betancourt to create an expressive concept that delivers Expedition’s SUV authenticity with a unique urban style and presence.

“People know me for my customization work on American muscle cars and SUVs,” said Funkmaster Flex. “When I first saw the redesigned 2007 Expedition, I knew I could really key in on some of the changes that the trendsetters, such as celebrities and hip-hop artists, would be making to the ride.”

“Funkmaster Flex is doing a fantastic job of generating buzz for Ford,” said John Felice, general marketing manager for the Ford brand. “From the Expedition to Fusion, F-150 and Mustang, Flex is finding new and innovative ways to connect with our customers.”

Next year, Funkmaster Flex will be working closely with Ford, including the Vehicle Personalization and Ford Racing Performance Parts groups. He will continue to have access to Ford design, and plans to customize more vehicles in 2007. In addition, Ford will continue to sponsor and expand its presence at the 2007 Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Shows and other Flex events throughout the year.

2007 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Concept

Here are the customization tips that Funkmaster Flex suggests when customizing an SUV like the 2007 Ford Expedition.

“Your exhaust system really needs to ‘rock the block’ with an expressive note,” says Flex. For his Expedition, Flex raided the Ford Racing Performance Parts bin and fitted the 5.4-liter Triton™ V-8 with stainless steel ‘shorty’ headers and modified Ford F-150 split rear exhaust.

“Quality body kits are essential to any customization project,” said Flex. “They need to be expressive and distinctive without compromising drivability.” With help from Flex’s Team Baurtwell shop and Ford Design, Street Scene® developed a well-built body kit for the Expedition.

Flex’s signature touch is a custom paint job. “The scheme developed shouldn’t be too busy or overloaded with color. You want to make a statement at a stop light with no overkill! Two-tone paint works best,” said Flex. For his Expedition, he chose a two-tone Redfire and Black paint scheme with Orange pinstriping. The stripes go up and over the fender so that they don’t distract from the most expressive part of the new Expedition, its front grille.

Flex says wheels need to be classy and clean. “This is the area where you need to spare no expense. Looking good is essential, especially if this is going to be your daily driver.” The Flex Expedition features 24-inch Dävin® Revolution 7.1 wheels with Cooper® Zenon XST performance tires.

Exterior personal touches are a must. “Make sure to add anything that you like as long as it’s not gaudy. Obtain guidance from experts with these additions. Trust their advice. Chrome accents, exhaust tips and custom badges can really define a vehicle,” says Flex. The Flex Expedition features a custom Valanca® rear wing with integrated center light, rectangular exhaust tips and Funkmaster Flex badges.

“The interior needs to continue the theme of the exterior with enough technology to impress,” says Flex. A matching two-tone dash, door panels, steering wheel along with appointed black leather seats excite drivers to get behind the wheel. An Alpine® IVA-W200 head unit with headrest DVD touch screens, JL Audio® W6 subwoofer and Evolution™ XR-570 speakers , custom connector for an MP3-player and custom instrument panels and door sills allows the driver to fully express himself inside the Expedition.
Ford research shows that nearly half of all new-vehicle buyers are adding unique touches to their vehicles and Expedition is no exception. Modifications to Expedition are as diverse as the needs of buyers – from adding additional off-road capability to custom cargo storage to increased urban street appeal. This makes it extremely important for key influencers like Funkmaster Flex to showcase both the capability and vehicle personalization that can be done with the new Expedition.

About the 2007 Ford Expedition

Expedition is redesigned for 2007 with more comfort, capability and new standard equipment –and starts below $30,000. Ford also introduced the all-new, extended length Ford Expedition EL for customers who need more cargo capacity than the standard model.

Expedition’s new design, inspired by the best-selling Ford F-Series truck, signals big improvements in capability, functionality and toughness. And new levels of interior refinement, flexibility and quietness change the game in Expedition’s favor among discriminating full-size SUV customers.

The new 2007 Expedition features an all-new 6-speed transmission, new frame, five link independent rear suspension (IRS) and more standard safety like AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control), seat-mounted front side air bags and three-row Safety Canopy™ rollover detection system.

For full-size SUV customers who want even more cargo-carrying capability, Ford has extended its Expedition lineup with the all-new 2007 Expedition EL. With 14.8 inches of additional overall length, Expedition EL delivers 130.8 cubic feet of cargo space – including 24 cubic feet more behind the third-row seat than the already spacious Expedition.