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The All-New Ford Ranger +VIDEO


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MELBOURNE - September 26, 2011: The all-new global Ford Ranger comes to market in Australia next month, combining the toughness and capability of a pickup truck with smart technology, outstanding safety, excellent fuel economy and high standards of quality and comfort.

Ranger will be offered in three cab styles – Double, Super and Single – along with an extensive list of practical features that are available in three series choices for Australian customers. All three cab styles are among the roomiest in the segment.

Two body styles will be offered: Cab Chassis and Pick-up.

The compact pickup will also come in 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains and two ride heights with the 4x2 Hi-Rider sharing the same frame as the 4x4 model.

Totally new from the ground up, Ranger was designed and developed to be among the forerunners – if not the pack leaders – in every area that is important to the customer, especially for those who use it for both work and leisure purposes. The pickup now delivers impressive payload and outstanding towing capability and, at the same time, is fitted out with innovative and comfort features that a dual user has come to want and value.


Watch the new Ford Ranger on display at the Thailand Motor Show


For nearly 20 years, Ranger has been one of Ford’s most popular pickups across the globe, providing millions of customers with Ford Tough Truck capabilities. Having gone through a comprehensive global development program, the all-new Ranger builds on its strong heritage and is now set to blaze new trails ahead.

“The all-new Ranger is the first pickup truck to be built under the One Ford strategy and has benefited tremendously from the full engineering expertise of Ford around the world,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “This has enabled us to deliver a truck with no compromise, a truck that provides customers around the world with quality, fuel efficiency, safety and smart technology in one complete package.”

The first all-new Ranger models to be released in Australia will be the five-cylinder 3.2 TDCi-powered 4x4 Double Cab in both XL and XLT specifications. These will be available in both manual and automatic transmissions when they go on sale in October this year. The remainder of the all-new Ranger model range will be released in the subsequent months.

Developed for the world
Designed and developed by a global team headquartered in Australia, the new Ranger platform takes advantage of global Ford assets, particularly robust engines proven in tough commercial-vehicle usage and fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions. The design and product development teams also had full access to Ford’s global capabilities, testing facilities and pickup truck knowledge in the entire Ford organisation.

The collaboration was crucial in developing the all-new Ranger. Everything is new – engines, gearboxes, frame, suspension, steering system, brakes, chassis, exterior sheet metal, and vehicle interior. The list continues with brand-new features for safety and passenger comfort.

“The Ranger is truly all new,” said Jim Baumbick, engineering director, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “Developing Ranger from scratch was an exciting opportunity that allowed us to closely benchmark what our competitors are doing, listen to what truck customers around the world want, and coming out with a vehicle that meets all these expectations and more.”

By leveraging global economies of scale, the new Ranger is being produced from a highly robust single platform. The pickup will be manufactured in three continents and sold in 180 markets, making it one of the farthest-reaching Ford products in the world.

Volume production has begun in Thailand for the markets in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia. It will be followed by newly revamped manufacturing facilities in South Africa later this year, which will produce Ranger for the home market and Europe, as well as emerging markets in Africa. Later in the launch cadence, Argentina will produce Ranger for South America.

‘21st Century Tough’ styling
Exuding power and confidence in a styling that the designers call “21st Century Tough”, the taut and muscular Ranger features a short overhang up front with the signature three-bar grille, a global Ford truck design cue.

The windscreen has been raked back for a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, while the traditional square form of the truck has been sculpted to give the vehicle a more modern and aerodynamic look. Larger headlamps, bigger mirrors and stamped-in wheel lips provide an integrated look across all series and contribute to an aggressive and sporty stance.

Designers also raised the beltline significantly, along with the rails of the load box, giving the Ranger a substantive presence on the road while increasing its functionality with the deeper box. The Single Cab and the Super Cab have the biggest box volume in their class at 1.82 cubic metres and 1.45 cubic metres respectively while the Double Cab is among the top with 1.21 cubic metres.

At 5359 millimetres long and 1850 millimetres wide, the new Ranger is bigger than the previous-generation model. It remains easily manoeuvrable on narrow city streets and during parking thanks to a responsive steering system that requires no more than 3.5 turns of the wheel lock-to-lock.

A smart and comfortable interior
The all-new Ranger offers a contemporary look and feel with features and comfort normally found in passenger cars. Bold new interior surfaces are finished with materials that will stand up to the demands of a workhorse while delivering a lasting quality appearance.

The B-pillar in the Double Cab has also been moved forward, delivering best-in-class rear leg room and knee clearance. Three adults can easily fit in the second row of the Double Cab while two six-footers can comfortably sit one behind the other.

Making full use of the spacious interior, the Ranger Double Cab offers more than 20 storage spaces in the cabin – more practical stowage than any competitor. Its deep centre console bin is the biggest in its class at 8.5 litres and, in XLT and Wildtrak models, can keep up to six beverage cans cool with a duct from the air-conditioner.

The glove box is large enough to accommodate a 16-inch laptop computer while door pockets can comfortably fit 1.5-litre water bottles. Ample storage for mobile phones and other small items can be found in the console and in areas within easy reach of the driver. Underneath the rear seats, a convenient hidden storage area for tools can be easily accessed.

Poised to be a leader in innovation, the new Ranger comes with smart technologies that make the pickup easier, safer and more fun to drive. Bluetooth®1, USB and iPod2 integration and voice control over the radio, CD, iPod, USB, and mobile phone are now standard on all models. Similarly, cruise control is standard fitment across the entire range. Dual-zone climate control is fitted to all XLT and Wildtrak models and the range-leading Wildtrak 4x4 will come with a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation and a rear parking camera.

More muscle and greater fuel efficiency
The all-new Ford Ranger powertrains have been engineered to give customers a combination of power and torque as well as excellent fuel efficiency. Three new engines are available to suit every purpose and pocket.

Leading the way is Ranger’s new 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder diesel engine with a substantial 470 Nm of torque and power rated at 147 kW. Its fuel consumption in a combined cycle is among the leaders in its class, ranging from 8.4 L/100 km on a 4x2 variant to 9.6 L/100 km on the range-leading Wildtrak 4x43.

For those who prefer an engine with a smaller displacement, the new 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder diesel engine delivers peak torque output of 375 Nm and power output of 110 kW. When fitted to a 4x2 Single Cab, the 2.2-litre engine consumes as little as 7.6 L/100 km in a combined cycle3, making this engine one of the most fuel-efficient in the segment.

The 2.5-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine has been enhanced and it now delivers 226 Nm of torque and outstanding power at 122 kW. The two-wheel drive model consumes just 9.8 L/100 km in a combined cycle3

These exceptional fuel consumption figures will give some all-new Ranger models – all of which are fitted with an 80-litre fuel tank – a potential range of more than 1000 km from a single tank of diesel.

For the first time, selected Ranger diesel models will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission to provide reduced engine rpm and extend its range on long highway trips or in city traffic. Petrol models have a standard five-speed manual transmission.

“Our all-new engine family bears out our commitment to make Ranger the clear choice for today’s pickup customer,” said Gary Boes, vehicle line director for Ford’s new compact truck platform. “We know they want more power, more torque, and we deliver all that – as well as increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.”

Impressive capability
The all-new Ranger has been engineered and tested to ensure it can stand up to the toughest challenge. Its capabilities for towing, carrying, fording, and climbing are impressive.

In fact, Ranger’s towing and water-wading capabilities are among some of the best in its segment. Ranger has the capacity to tow up to 3350 kilograms (TDCi-powered 4x2 Hi-Rider and 4x4 models only) while the 4x4 and 4x2 Hi-Rider models have the capability to wade through up to 800 millimetres of water even when fully laden. It also boasts outstanding payload capacity of 1528 kilograms on the 2.2 TDCi-powered 4x2 Hi-Rider single cab chassis, as well as excellent ground clearance of up to 237 millimetres (4x4 and 4x2 Hi-Rider models).

For those aiming to go off the beaten track, the 4x4 Ranger’s superior off-road capability has been enhanced by an all-new compact front differential, a new upgraded rear axle and lower overall ratios. A robust electronically controlled transfer case – for both manual and automatic transmissions – allows drivers to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high anytime via a knob on the centre console.

To give drivers even more confidence when going off-road, Ranger comes standard with the Traction Control System which maintains vehicle stability by maximising traction at each driven wheel. Unlike a limited slip differential, it is able to reduce the level of engine torque to the exact amount that can be delivered to the ground through the wheels as well as brake a spinning wheel completely, allowing all the available engine torque to the wheel, or wheels, with the most grip.

For those who will be driving on slippery roads or in difficult terrain where a wheel could possibly end up off the ground, Ranger offers additional traction control with an electronic locking rear differential (available on selected models) where both rear wheels are solidly connected for extreme traction capability. Even with one wheel off the ground, full axle drive torque is still sent to the wheel that has grip. This is extremely useful if one of the rear wheels loses traction completely because it is on ice, mud or lifted up in the air.

Ranger also went through extreme testing around the world to make sure it could stand up to the rigours of punishing terrains and temperatures. Tested in Australia, Dubai, Thailand, North America, Brazil, Sweden and South Africa, it had to face severe heat and cold, monsoon rains, high altitudes as well as rushing rivers, arid deserts and potholed roads. Prototypes clocked more than a million kilometres on the road supported by countless hours of exhaustive testing in laboratories.

“Ranger’s rugged capability was purposefully engineered and carefully crafted into the pickup,” said Baumbick. “We wanted to give customers a tough truck that they can truly rely on whether in high waters or on challenging terrains. Ranger will certainly be a dependable companion for them both on and off road.”

New levels of ride quality and chassis control
The same level of detail that makes Ranger stand out in a crowd will set it apart from the competition with an entirely new chassis that, when compared to its predecessor, provides even more capability along with car-like quietness, reduced steering effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability.

Up front, the entire suspension is brand new. A new coil-over-strut suspension allows for better tuning of the upper and lower wishbone design. The suspension set-up, while similar for two- and four-wheel drive models, has unique capabilities and has been tuned with specific damper valving and spring rates on all models to compensate for weight, centre of gravity, engine torque and drive distribution.

Giving drivers more precise steering control, Ranger’s new rack-and-pinion steering system has been carefully tuned for low-speed manoeuvrability and responsive on-road driving.

Ranger more than holds its own in cabin quietness, an attribute not often associated with a pickup truck. From being better sealed and having stiffer doors to using sound-deadening materials in the doors, roof and body, Ranger introduces high levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) refinement.