The all-new Ford Ranger - the latest in a wave of global
vehicles - made its worldwide debut at the 2010 Australian International Motor
Show. The all-new Ranger has a powerful presence and promises to give pickup
truck owners more can-do capability and a transformed truck ownership
experience.
2012 Ford Ranger
From impressive gains in power and safety to exceptional
towing capability, the next-generation Ford Ranger emerges as a clear segment
leader. It not only builds on the tremendous Ranger heritage of pickup truck
capability, but it also gives truck owners a spacious, comfortable,
feature-filled interior and sophisticated driving experience they would expect
to find only in a car.
New from the ground up - more to come
It's not often that engineers and designers have the
opportunity to build a new pickup truck from the ground up, and the all-new
Ranger is evidence of how Ford seized that opportunity. When Ford Ranger begins
production in 2011, it will set new benchmarks in many categories including a
stand-out design, road manners that are smooth and refined, a chassis that is
off-road capable and powertrains that are fuel efficient, clean and live up to
the global Built Ford Tough promise.
The new Ranger will be manufactured around the world in
three volume production sites geared for regional reach, especially in growth
regions. A progressive production ramp-up is slated to begin next summer
(Northern Hemisphere) in Rayong, Thailand, for the Asia Pacific region. Ford is
transforming plants in Argentina and South Africa for additional capacity to
eventually serve other key regions as the launch cadence progresses. The new
manufacturing strategy for the single global compact truck platform will drive
new levels of product commonality for the Ford Ranger all around the globe.
Although not planned for introduction in the United States
or Canada, the all-new Ford Ranger will eventually be marketed in 180 countries,
making it one of Ford's farthest reaching products. This reflects the
importance of compact pickup trucks to consumers in many parts of the world and
the significance of the Ranger in Ford's global product portfolio.
Payload capabilities
Carrying a crew of five? Headed to the job site with large
appliances, building supplies, sand or gravel? Loaded with produce for sale at
the local farmer's market? Whatever the payload, all are easily stored within
the cargo box of the new Ford Ranger double cab - even with a full passenger
load.
Measuring 1549 millimetres long, 511 millimetres high and
with a maximum cargo width of 1560 millimetres, the cargo box of the double cab
is more than 100 millimetres wider. Volume is an impressive 1.21 cubic metres.
Width between the wheel arches is 1139 millimetres on all
models and special provisions are provided in the cargo box to place struts of
lumber in pockets that are located above the wheel arch. This allows plywood or
sheet rock to be stacked flat. Width at the rear tailgate opening at the top of
the box is 1330 millimetres.
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
provides even more capability along with car-like comfort, reduced steering
effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability. Off-road
performance has been improved with a stiffer frame, ground clearance of up to
232 millimetres and driveline components that have been strategically mounted
above the frame rail and out of harm's way.
Despite an increased 3220-millimetre wheelbase - and wider
track for the 4x4 model of 1560 millimetres and 4x2 model of 1590 millimetres
at the front and rear - the all-new Ranger's turning circle makes it easily
manoeuvrable in parking and on narrow city streets. Its rack-and-pinion
steering system has been thoroughly designed to provide robust performance
while delivering more precise steering.
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.
More muscle under the bonnet - three new engines
With a body that is lean and taut, the muscle lies beneath
the bonnet. The all-new Ranger powertrains have been engineered to give
customers an uncompromised combination of power and torque.
Ford Ranger introduces three new engines to Ford's compact
pickup truck range globally:
- A new 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi I4 diesel engine with peak torque output of 375 Nm and power output of 110 kW (150 PS).
- A highly responsive and efficient new 3.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi I5 diesel engine with a powerful 470 Nm of torque and power rated at 147 kW (200 PS).
- A 2.5-litre Ford Duratec I4 petrol engine with more power at 122 kW (166 PS). It can be configured for E100 flexible fuel capability or aftermarket upfitted to run on CNG or LPG.
"This all-new engine family demonstrates our commitment
to making Ford Ranger the best option for today's pickup truck customer,"
said John Tatge, Ranger chief programme engineer. "We're bringing the best
engine technology from the Ford powertrain range to make Ranger the clear
choice for capability and fuel economy, particularly with our world-class
Duratorq diesels. Their torque makes Ford Ranger the truck to own."
At the rear, an entirely new suspension system provides a
smooth, firm comfortable ride with a rear leaf suspension design that has been
carefully tuned for a variety of road conditions while still delivering
outstanding payload capacity.
The rear suspension also provides Ford Ranger with a firmly
planted ride for high-speed driving on dirt roads, common in South America,
with reduced sway and less vehicle 'skate' on corrugated or rough surfaces.
Considering customers in areas of the world where monsoons
cause frequent flooding, Ranger's key electrical components and air inlets are
strategically placed high in the engine compartment. This contributes to
impressive water-wading capability. Offering the biggest brakes in class, stopping power for
Ranger is excellent.
All Ford Ranger models are equipped with larger front rotors
measuring 302-by-32 millimetres and twin-piston callipers. The brake calliper
features a pair of phenolic pistons which reduce weight and improve thermal
performance.
'21st Century Tough' styling inside and out
The all-new Ford Ranger creates a bold and purposeful
presence, with a fresh, contemporary exterior design that exudes the famous
Built Ford Tough personality. Designers call the look '21st Century Tough'.
Taut, toned muscularity and a bold, confident stance
instantly signal the strength and capability of an ultra-modern pickup truck.
Yet it also communicates a transformed, more sophisticated and refined style
that appeals to a new generation of truck owners.
"In many areas of the world, the role of Ford Ranger
has changed," said Craig Metros, chief designer. "It still has to be
a work vehicle with a durable interior and the ability to carry a heavy
payload, but it also serves a dual role with refinement, comfort and more
consumer-friendly features topping the list for many buyers."
Metros said extensive research among truck customers around
the world revealed surprising similarities in taste and design expectations. While
needs and expectations may differ in the 180 markets where it will be sold, the
new Ranger Tough Truck design resonates around the world.
"Good design is long lasting and transcends all
markets," said Metros. "Cute gimmicks don't cut it with this group.
It's a robust truck that gets the job done, first and foremost." According
to Metros, Ford Ranger looks very tough but not in the more chiselled style of
Ford's larger North American F-Series trucks. The contemporary design will be
just as at home on city streets outside trendy restaurants in Cologne or
Melbourne as it is in the Outback or on a luxury property development site.
All-new model builds on strong heritage
For nearly 20 years, Ford Ranger has been one of Ford's most
popular pickups across the globe. It has provided millions of buyers with Ford
Tough Truck capabilities - hauling heavy payloads, pulling trailers and
absorbing punishment on the roughest roads. The all-new Ford Ranger now has
even more capability but has been transformed into a taut, toned and muscular
contemporary shape exuding strength and toughness.
With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and
steering system, Ranger delivers more payload and outstanding towing
capability. It is powered by a choice of three new, fuel-efficient powertrains,
including two state-of-the-art common-rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels and new
fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions. Add in more chassis and safety
technologies, and the story of Ford Ranger pickup truck leadership becomes as vivid
as its powerful, purposeful stance.
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