2009 Ford Ranger

Motoring Channel Staff - 20/February/2009

Bangkok, Thailand – Ford's new generation Ranger has broken cover in Thailand, and will be on sale in Australia in the second quarter of the year.

It will makes it's global debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show as the vehicle will be sold in Europe as well.

The new model promises to take the 'Ford Tough' mantra to new levels and by incorporating a more modern design it will challenge segment leaders in Australia like the Toyota HiLux.

More powerful diesel engines have been added giving the Ranger more pulling power, and there's an also a new sports model called the Wildtrak with 18-inch wheels and an extroverted image.

Two diesel engine will be offered as petrol engines are scrapped, 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre turbocharged diesels.

With maximum payload of 1000kg plus a towing capacity of up to 3000kg with Ranger 4x4 models hooked up to the 380Nm 3.0-litre TDCi diesel engine, the new model is on par with the class leaders in the light commercial ute segment.

The Ford Ranger's new look is said to incorporate Ford's global 'kinetic' design cues, with new headlight, front bumper, and three-bar grille designs clear indications of the updated model.

Penned by a Ford design team based in Melbourne, Australia, the new model is built in Thailand and will be sold in some 130 countries.

"Its contemporary design gives new Ranger instant credibility as an urban vehicle and its versatility makes Ranger a logical lifestyle choice," says Scott Strong, the design director for Ford Motor Company in the Asia Pacific and Africa region.

The new model was inspired by the Ranger MAX show truck concept revealed in November 2008 at the Thailand International Motor Expo.

"The very positive reaction to Ranger MAX validated our Tough Style design direction for the new Ranger," explained Paul Gibson who one of Ford's chief designers.

"Ranger MAX is visually distinctive and muscular, and those same design elements such as the wide grille and open mouth air intake [feeding the intercooler and radiator] are used effectively on new Ford Ranger.

The new design is a considerable shift away from the previous, more blocky style of the Ranger and it should help Ford turn more heads as it drives by. It's gone from being a pure workhorse to something more of a lifestyle vehicle.

Standard features on some models have also been upgraded and there's also the inclusion of cruise control on all models except the entry-level XL, but can be optioned on the XL.

New interior seat fabrics are in and the range-topping Wildtrak model gets Alcantara leather/suede seats and all models get an auxiliary MP3 player and iPod jack.

Engines

As Ford explains, the new Ford Ranger offers a choice of engines, transmissions and drivetrain configurations, reflecting its reputation for capability and truck toughness.

Two versions of Ford's acclaimed Duratorq TDCi diesel engine lead the powertrain lineup, providing big torque but low fuel usage.

The common-rail diesel engines are available in 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre displacement versions, both engines employ advanced turbo technology – intercooler and variable-geometry turbocharging – to reduce turbo lag and improve overall performance. Both TDCi engines also develop class-leading torque outputs.

Ranger's 3.0-litre TDCi engine produces as much as 37Nm (10 percent) more peak torque than the Toyota HiLux 3.0-litre diesel engine.

Engine specs are as follows:

2.5-litre Duratorq TDCi
Power: 105kW @ 3500rpm
Torque: 330Nm @ 1800rpm
Economy: 8.3L/100km

3.0-litre Duratorq TDCi
Power: 115kW @ 3200rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 1800rpm
Economy: 9.2L/100km

There's a large opening in the lower bumper that provides a fresh supply of cool air to the TDCi turbocharged engine's intercooler and by mounting the intercooler forward of the radiator and directly in the flow of cool air, the effectiveness of the cooling is increased.

"Several of our competitors position the intercooler above the engine and use a dramatic scoop on the hood to direct air to it. We found intercooler performance to be far better when located where we've positioned it – low and in the direct flow of air," explains Hiroaki Hashimoto, the Ford Ranger's program director.

Ford says the TDCi diesels are powerful, refined and available in 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrain configurations with a choice of Ford's 5-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual.

With the advantage of a 34 degree approach and a 33 degrees departure angles, the Ford Ranger 4x4 provides superior ground clearance and river fording capability.

The Ranger 4x4 utilises a proven Borg Warner transfer case and the ease of electronic shift-on-the-fly when accompanying the five-speed automatic transmission.

Those who are serious about off-road driving for either work or recreation will appreciate the Ranger's low-range gearing reduction of 2.48:1 (automatic transmission) and 2.02:1 (manual transmission).

The underside of the Ranger 4x4 is well armoured with the fuel tank, transfer case, engine and transmission protected by steel plating.

Ford claims that the new Ranger is the only compact vehicle in its class to prioritise driving dynamics as a core product quality. 

Ford's chassis engineers have tuned the suspension's elements to reduce body roll and to give Ranger a poised, confident handling character reinforced by precise accurate steering.  

Ranger 4x2 Hi-Rider and Ranger 4x4 models employ a two-way mechanical, multiplate, torque-sensing limited slip differential in the rear axle which helps to spread torque between the left and right rear wheels in low-traction situations, as well as in higher speed cornering.

The new PK-model Ford Ranger features thick, ventilated front brake disc rotors, with generously sized pads for optimal heat handling and four-wheel-drive versions have the assurance of dual opposing-piston callipers.

Ford claims the heart of the Ranger truck's capability is its extra-deep-sidewall pickup box, which is designed to maximise load capacity and cargo flexibility. It has the following features:

Well-placed cargo tiedowns.
Slotted inner fenders that allow the easy insertion of available shelving systems for cargo management and loading.

The Ford Ranger is available in three pickup box dimensions depending on cab configuration:

Single Cab – 2280mm x 1456mm
Super Cab – 1753mm x 1456mm
Crew Cab – 1530mm x 1456mm

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