Ford has launched the new PK Ranger workhorse, adding a stylish in-your-face-sports variant called Wildtrak. The new vehicle now has a tougher looking front end that features wrap-around head, three-bar grille, twin lateral nostrils and a raised bonnet, all inspired by the Ranger MAX show truck, revealed at the Thailand International Motor Expo last November.
 The PK Ranger is more of a facelift than an all-new model, with the mechanicals the same as the PJ it replaces. All 4x4 models continue to be powered by the 3.0-litre TDCi diesel engine, with 4x2 models getting a choice of the 3.0-litre and a smaller Duratorq TDCi 2.5-litre. Petrol engines are not an option.
With large decals on either side and a choice of vibrant colours, the Wildtrak will compete against sports variant crew cabs from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Holden, Mazda and Nissan. Ranger is built alongside Mazda's BT 50 and was launched almost two years ago with the PJ range that replaced Ford Courier.
Wildtrak comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, integrated sports bar, box rails, a roller-shutter style lockable tray cover, bed liner and decals ... which look more like tatts for trucks.
Ranger has been a success story for Ford which has doubled sales in this segment since 2006. The segment itself is in a growth spurt with sales up 70,000 to 120,000 in the past six years. The global financial situation could see that growth shrink.
 Ford Product Marketing Manager, Christine Wagner, said the PK range was defined by what Ford call `Tough Style'. The vehicle's front end has had major plastic surgery and now features a three-bar grille, twin lateral nostrils, wrap-around head and raised bonnet.
Ranger is available in three series levels, XL, XLT to the Wildtrak. There's a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions in 4x2 or 4x4 variants.
As a workhorse Ranger scores impressively with a 1000 kg payload capacity and towing capability up to 3000 kg, depending on model.
The 2009 PK Ranger introduces five new models to the range: 4x2 XL Crew Cab pick-up with a 2.5-litre automatic, XL Hi-Rider crew cab chassis 3.0-litre auto, XLT Hi-Rider Crew Cab Pick-up 3.0-litre manual or auto, 4x4 XL Crew Cab Chassis 3.0-litre auto and Wildtrak Crew Cab Pick-up, 3.0-litre manual or auto.
Ford launched the Ranger on the mid north coast of NSW using a variety of urban roads, highway and country tar and gravel roads. The vehicle feels much the same as the PJ model and is class-leading in terms of ride comfort, given these vehicles use leaf springs at the back end. The diesel engines are a little noisy, but that too is common across the various makes.
 Ranger's 4x2 range starts from $24,490 while the 4x4 range starts from $31,990 The popular twin cab variants, XLT starts from $45,990 for the five speed manual and $2000 extra for the auto and the Wildtrak is $3000 more for both manual and auto variants. |
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