- Ford and Celebrity Customizer Funkmaster Flex team up for Season 4 of the reality TV series, "Car Wars with Funkmaster Flex."
- Season Four of "Car Wars" debuts on Saturday, April 26th on ESPN2
- Four of some of the hottest and most passionate car customizers in the country take a shot at customizing the new 2008 SYNC-Equipped Ford Focus SES
- This season's contestants include both a snowboarder and a female customizer with Rock-N-Roll dreams
DEARBORN, MI., April 24, 2008–Coupling their passion for cars with the new 2008 Ford Focus SES was all a part of the daily grind for four of some of the hottest and most passionate car customizers in the country. On Saturday, April 26th, viewers will get a chance to be a part of the mayhem as the fourth season of "Car Wars with Funkmaster Flex" debuts. The reality show, which is hosted by Funkmaster Flex, chronicles the real life drama of four customizers competing in a seven-week race to customize a new 2008 Ford Focus SES.
"Season four is going to be bigger and badder than ever," said Funkmaster Flex, widely respected as the hip hop guru of car customization culture. "Car Wars is going to have twists and turns the entire season, it's definitely raw and gritty and back with a vengeance. There will be plenty to watch each week as these customizers enter the gauntlet to put their passion to the test and their pride on the line while trying to turn the Ford Focus into their own beast of a ride."
The four featured customizers will compete with each other to win the "Ford Best in Show" award and a grand prize of $40,000. During the show, customizers must participate in a number of challenges that highlight some of the vehicles features including SYNC™, the in-car communications & entertainment system exclusive to Ford and its 35 mpg gas mileage. The show, produced by Monica Taylor Enterprises Inc. will air at 10:30 a.m. on ESPN2 for seven consecutive weeks. All seven episodes will be available for viewing online at www.fordurban.com/carwars
To further engage the viewing audience, each episode will promote a national sweepstakes to win a 2008 Ford Focus SES customized personally by Funkmaster Flex. Viewers will be encouraged to log onto www.fourdban.com/carwars to enter to win. In addition, attendees of the 2008 Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Show Tour will also have a chance to enter to win onsite, where all four of the "Car Wars" contestants customized Focuses will be on display at each of the remaining tour stops. One overall sweepstakes winner will be announced in late September.
"Funkmaster Flex continues to provide exciting opportunities for us to connect with young urban consumers," said Crystal Greene, Sponsorships & Diverse Markets Manager for Ford. "Flex brings a uniqueness in what he does that truly resonates with our consumers. We're equally excited that we were able to feature the 2008 Ford Focus in this year's reality show as these customizers are really highlighting what can be done with this new vehicle in ways that are varying expressions of their own personal style. Hopefully by the end of the show consumers will get a better feel as to the possibilities of customizing their own Ford Focus."
This is the second year that Ford has partnered up with Funkmaster Flex on the airing of "Car Wars." This year adds an additional episode and the chance to take part in some "interesting" challenges. "Music is my life but cars are my passion," said Funkmaster Flex.
"I'm excited about being able to partner up with Ford once again on my show. I'm even more excited about being able to connect with the fans in this unique way."
About Funkmaster Flex
A New York City native, Funkmaster Flex is synonymous with hip hop. For over a decade, he has reigned as America’s #1 Hip Hop personality, reaching more than two million listeners a week through his popular radio show. Funkmaster Flex has successfully connected his hip hop celebrity status to the auto industry to become a guru of car customization culture. In 2005, Ford Motor Company started a relationship with Funkmaster Flex. He is currently focused on reinventing Ford’s American car customization culture for an all-new urban enthusiast. To date, he has customized over 16 vehicles for Ford. He most recently lent his customization skills at the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas with the debut of Flex2 – a one-of-a-kind show vehicle that highlights his interpretation of urban luxury on Ford’s newest crossover, the Ford Flex.
2008 Ford Focus
The 2008 Ford Focus brings a bold new look, a refined and flexible interior and a higher level of driving enjoyment to an evolving small car market. With features including Ford Sync™, standard side-curtain air bags and fuel economy in the mid-30s, the redesigned Focus continues to play an important role in Ford Motor Company’s resurging car portfolio, continuing the momentum built by the successful Ford Fusion mid-size sedan.
For the new 2008 Focus, Ford’s design team drew inspiration from the highly successful Fusion, borrowing that car’s prominent chrome-bar grille design, flared wheel arches and sweeping, crisp lines to create a small car that stands out with a sporty stance. Focus SE and SES models feature a front fender appliqué integrated just behind the front wheel well, adding a bright accent to the profile.
For more information on the 2008 Ford Focus and Season 4 of "Car Wars" including airing times be sure to visit www.fordurban.com.
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