On the eve of the Australian International Motor Show (SIMS) Ford Australia has hosted the world-wide reveal of an all-new Australian-designed and engineered Ford Ranger pickup, set for release around middle to late 2011. It is the largest-ever automotive design and engineering export project to be undertaken in Australia. The new Ranger will be built in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina and exported to 180 countries as one of the blue oval brand's farthest-reaching models.
The volume-selling dual-cab variant will get it's first public airing at today's industry-day at SIMS. The vehicle comes after a three and half year design and engineering process based in Melbourne with a team of up to 180 people working on the project, in conjunction with partner Mazda, that developed the 2011 BT50 off the same platform. Ford Ranger will not go on sale in the US or Canada with those markets, according to Ford, preferring larger trucks, including the top-selling F150.
Chief of design for the Ranger project, Craig Metros said research revealed Ranger buyers wanted car comfort, features and quality in a truck body. They wanted no fragility in appearance or design, he said. Chief project engineer, John Tatge said Ranger `will be a very successful product that will truly deliver `Built Ford Tough' brand around the world. We have leveraged all key Ford resources and talent from around the world for this project, he said.
It is the first truck to be built through the One Ford global product development strategy and replaces two regional compact truck platforms currently in production. The Australian-based team designed and engineered Ranger and took advantage of Ford's `global assets' in the form of the engines and six-speed transmissions.
DESIGN
Buyers can expect a bolder, tougher looking vehicle from Ford with the company ousting any reference to ute and making constant referral to either truck or pickup, almost always prefaced by `tough' or `robust.' The interior design takes cues from `tough' products including power tool maker, DEWALT and the instruments are encased in a protective shell like a G-Shock watch. The new Ranger will kick in during the mid-life cycle of major competitors, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and newcomer Isuzu D-Max.
The vehicle's `face' is it's grill which features an unashamedly US Ford influence with the powerful three bar grille, similar to that used on the Ford F-Series. Three engines variants two diesel and one petrol - and two three transmissions will be available on the Australian variants which will include three cab styles and 4X2 and 4X4 options. The variants will target two markets: the workhorse or `tradies' and secondly the leisure market with high-end vehicles to include models such as Ranger Limited and Wildtrak, yet to be revealed.
SUSPENSION
Ranger features an all-new front suspension designed in Australia with coil over struts and upper and lower wishbones. The rear suspension utilises the tried and tested leaf spring suspension, giving some models a 1500 kg carrying capacity. Ford have not yet revealed towing capability, but state it will be highly competitive within the segment. The chassis provided by the Mazda project team is 20 percent stiffer than the current model, with Ford claiming the new Ranger will be best in class in this basic important area. Ranger also features hydraulic body mounts to reduce vibration and noise.
SAFETY
Australian models will get the latest in safety equipment including the crash-saving electronic stability program, four-wheel traction control, emergency brake assist, ABS brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution as well as adaptive load control and trailer sway control and rear park assist as well as a rear-view camera system. Front and side airbags will be standard while side curtain airbags will be available on all models.
4WD
For those using the vehicle for recreational four wheel driving or on difficult work sites and farms 4X4 models have a dash-mounted switch to go between 2WD and 4WD modes. Ranger dual cab has a clearance of 232 mm and there's underside protection of major components including sump, fuel tank and transfer case. An electronic differential lock is available on 4X4 models. Ranger comes with a 80 litre fuel tank. The tray on the new Ranger is 1549mm long by 511mm high and 1560 wide with a volume of 1.21 cubic metres. There's 1139 mm between the wheel arches. The width of the tailgate at the top is 1330mm.
ENGINES
Ford will offer three engines in the new Ranger, starting with a 2.2 litre Ford Duratorq TCDi diesel producing 110 kW or power and 375 Nm or torque. The second diesel is a 3.2 litre Ford Duratorq TCDi engine with 147 kW of power and a massive 470 Nm of torque. Lastly there a 2.5 litre Ford Duratec petrol engine that develops 122 kW or power and can be run on E100 (ethanol) flexible fuel or LPG or CNG. The diesel variants come with the choice of a six speed manual or automatic transmission, while the 2.5 litre petrol only comes with a five speed manual.
Some finer details in regard to economy, towing capability, release dates and pricing are yet to be announced.
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