All-New Ford Ranger Makes Melbourne Debut

[russellw]

July 1 2011

• Ranger Wildtrak gets roof rails and an aerodynamic sports bar to enhance its profile
• With a water-wading capability of up to 800 mm, Ranger is the perfect companion for off-road adventure
• Engineers have optimised every millimetre of Ranger’s dimensions to give customers maximum interior space without compromising the volume of the cargo box

Ford Australia will premiere its All-New Ranger Wildtrak at the Australian International Motor Show.
Seen for the first time at an Australian motor show, the Ranger Wildtrak is designed for customers seeking a ruggedly stylish and supremely functional lifestyle vehicle. Wildtrak takes Ranger's up-market appearance even further, with a unique colour split on the front that helps define the car's sporty image.

Designers masked out the feature line on the front fascia and contrasted it by highlighting the lower intake. The same dark accent colours were used on the side mirrors, door handles and side air vents to give the vehicle a dynamic sporty look.

"Wildtrak's aggressive look and bold new graphics are a perfect fit for those who appreciate a sporty and more expressive image. It will look fantastic transporting the latest quad bike or jet ski for weekend getaways," said Craig Metros, chief designer of the All-New Ranger.

Joining the Chilli Orange Ranger Wildtrak 3.2-litre diesel at Melbourne will be an Aurora Blue Ranger 4x4 XLT Double Cab Pickup 3.2-litre. Sitting high on 18-in alloy wheels, the All-New Ranger Wildtrak gets roof rails and an aerodynamic sports bar, which enhance its profile. Wildtrak badging and graphics help to set it apart from other lifestyle vehicles, while the cabin gains a smart combination of leather and cloth upholstery.

The seat trim – a combination of leather and cloth inspired by sportswear with ventilated sections – provides lateral support and confidence even on rough terrain. Contrast stitching and a discreet strip on the seat upper and bolster, all in distinctive Wildtrak Orange, accentuate the premium feel of the interior.

The cabin of All-New Ranger has been designed to maximise comfort. For example, three passengers can easily fit in the second row of the Ranger Wildtrak. It offers increased rear legroom and knee clearance between the first and second row seats. This means that getting in and out of the All-New Ranger is easier than ever for rear-seat passengers.

With more than 20 storage spaces in the cabin, Ranger offers more practical stowage than many of its competitors. A deep centre console bin will keep up to six drink cans cool, while the glove box is large enough to accommodate a 16-inch laptop computer. There is also ample storage for mobile phones and other small items in the console.

Also poised to be a leader in innovation, Ranger Wildtrak is one of the most high-tech pick-ups with smart technologies such as Bluetooth®1 with Voice Control, which lets the driver control the radio, CD, iPod, USB, air-conditioning and phone. It also offers a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation.

One of the most high-tech vehicles in the segment, Ranger Wildtrak will boast the segment's first Rear View Camera System where the camera image is displayed in the rear view mirror, as well as rear parking sensors.

More power, more torque
Ranger will be available with a choice of two state-of-the-art common-rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels and new fuel-efficient six-speed manual and automatic transmissions that serve up more power and torque.

The new 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel delivers peak torque output of 375 Nm and power output of 110kW, whilst a highly responsive and efficient new 3.2-litre 5-cylinder diesel produces a powerful 470 Nm of torque is power rated at 147kW.

Both new power-trains have been developed and refined to deliver excellent fuel efficiency. Fitted with an 80-litre fuel tank, Ranger is also expected to have one of the longest ranges in its segment.

A 2.5-litre Ford Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine will also be available, developing 226Nm and 122kW.

The All-New Ranger also features smart Ford technologies such as Adaptive Automatic Mode, which adapts gear shifts according to driving style and Grade Control Logic, which automatically down-shifts when driving downhill and the brake pedal is depressed. This feature prevents the transmission from changing to a higher gear.

Tough looks echo bigger size
The All-New Ranger will be produced from a highly robust single global platform that replaces the two platforms currently in production regionally. It will be manufactured in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina for more than 180 markets worldwide.

Designed and developed in Australia, it is the first truck to be built under the One Ford strategy as part of a global product program bringing together the full engineering expertise of Ford around the world.

"With the One Ford strategy, we were able to deliver a truck with no compromise. The engineering team in Australia had full access to the global Ford capability, testing facilities and, most importantly, corporate knowledge around delivery of Ford Tough Trucks," said Jim Baumbick, engineering director, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.

"We were also able to introduce an array of new features and technologies such as Bluetooth®1 with Voice Control on the Ranger which will significantly enhance the driving experience of our customers worldwide.”

Exuding power and confidence in a styling that the designers call “21st Century Tough”, the taut and muscular Ranger is equally at home on a construction site or just driving around town. Its front end features a short overhang 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.

All-New Ranger's rugged good looks are backed up by its beefy size. Moreover, it is 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.

Engineers have optimised every millimetre of Ranger’s dimensions to give customers maximum interior space without compromising the volume of the cargo box. With Ranger increasingly being a work-and-family vehicle, the engineers have paid special attention to the rear seats, with the second row in the Super Cab more spacious than some key competitors.

Pockets above the wheel wells and along the side of the box allow truck owners to use timber inserts to carry full sheets of plasterboard or plywood.

An innovative interior
The All-New Ranger offers a contemporary look and feel with features and comfort normally found only 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. All trim materials used in the new Ranger were subjected to heavy-duty testing for commercial vehicle use.

“We’ve developed materials that are tough, not rough, which will deliver a quality appearance matched by high performance,” said Interior Design Manager Peter Jones.

“So for example, you get passenger car comfort in the design and trim of the seats with commercial vehicle durability to withstand a whole range of rigorous usage.”

Making full use of the spacious interior, the Ranger Double Cab offers more than 20 storage spaces in the cabin – more practical stowage than many of its competitors. Its deep centre console bin can keep up to six drink cans cool in models that feature a duct from the air-conditioner into the console on XLT and Wildtrak models.

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 on the Super Cab models, there is a convenient hidden storage area for tools that can easily be accessed.

Poised to be a leader in innovation, the All-New Ranger comes with smart technologies that make the pick-up easier, safer and more fun to drive. All Australia models will feature Bluetooth®1, USB and iPod connectivity, with Voice Control over the radio, CD, iPod, USB, electronic air-conditioning and mobile phone.

Dual-zone climate control and reversing sensors are available on the XLT while the range-topping Wildtrak offers a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation.

Composed ride and handling under all conditions
With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and steering system, the new Ranger promises car-like comfort, reduced steering effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability.

Carefully tuned for a variety of road conditions while still delivering outstanding payload capacity, the rear suspension also provides Ranger with a firmly planted ride for high-speed driving on dirt roads with reduced sway and less vehicle "skate" on corrugated or rough surfaces.

Engineers have also found clever solutions to tuck key components out of harm’s way so that the Ranger can perform on rough terrain. With a water-wading capability of up to 800 mm and high ground clearance, Ranger is the perfect companion for off-road adventure. Its ground clearance is enhanced by having the drive-line components mounted above the frame rail so that items like the transfer case and oil pan are protected by strong cross-members.

To improve Ranger's water-wading capability, the truck's key electrical components and air inlets are strategically placed high in the engine compartment. The 4x4 and 4x2 Hi-Rider models can wade through up to 800 mm of water – a feature that will be welcomed by customers who need to ford rivers or floods.

Ranger is just as capable on steep grades. With the Hill Launch Assist feature, a fully-laden Ranger is able to stop and then pull away on a 60 per cent grade. This gives Ranger drivers more confidence to overcome challenging topography.

When going downhill, the Hill Descent Control feature on 4x4 models automatically applies the brakes to slow the vehicle down to a set speed without locking the brakes and without the need for the driver to apply the brakes.

Four-wheel drive models are also equipped with a sturdy electronically controlled transfer case – for both manual and automatic transmissions – that allow drivers to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 anytime via a switch conveniently located on the console. Selected models can also be equipped with either an electric locking rear differential to improve traction on XLT and Wildtrak models.

Built to last, Ranger has gone 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, South America, 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 1 million kilometres, supported by countless hours of exhaustive testing in laboratories.

Setting new standards in safety
With occupant safety growing in importance for compact trucks as more people use the vehicle for both work and family transport, Ranger is aiming to be a leader in safety with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features and technologies.

The truck’s advanced safety protection begins with a highly protective body structure that utilises high-strength steel throughout. This aims to protect occupants in a collision, along with the all-new frame that helps manage the brunt of crash energy.

Using sophisticated computer modelling, engineers assessed more than 9000 virtual crash tests before the first prototype vehicle was subjected to a physical crash test. The virtual simulations allowed the engineers to exponentially test more crash scenarios than they would ever be able to in physical tests.

Ranger offers new passive safety technologies, with the availability of an array of air-bags – including side curtain air-bags - dependent on the model.

New side air-bags for the front bucket seats are also available, deploying from the side bolster of the seat to protect the thorax from side-impact forces. Other air-bags include front air-bags for the driver and front passenger.

All-New Ranger also uses active safety technologies to help drivers avoid accidents. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is a key driving aid that applies brake inputs and engine torque reduction to control wheel slip as well as mitigates over- or under-steer reactions in slippery conditions or when the driver makes sudden lane changes to avoid an accident.

The DSC system comes with a complete collection of features that help make driving the Ranger safer. The Trailer Sway Control system monitors the behaviour of the tow vehicle and trailer array to sense the advent of trailer sway and apply braking countermeasures to reduce its effects.

Adaptive Load Control provides additional stability assurance for drivers dealing with heavy payloads. Roll-over Mitigation closely monitors Ranger's speed, lateral acceleration and steering angle, and intervenes to restore stability if the vehicle is in danger of rolling over.
Ranger's DSC system also includes off-road logic which adjusts DSC control of the engine and brakes to provide improved stability without any unnecessary interventions triggered by rough or bumpy road surfaces.

Ranger’s top-notch braking capability relies on a combination of highly efficient brakes and various braking technologies to ensure the shortest possible stopping distance under all circumstances. The standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Emergency Brake Assist are designed to recognise when the driver is in a panic braking situation and increase the force used to slow the vehicle without locking up the wheels, assisting to maintain control.

The Gravel Road Logic in the ABS further improves stopping distances on loose surfaces, which are common in countries with a lot of unsealed roads. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution maximises brake force used on the rear wheels as payload changes while maintaining optimal stability. Flashing emergency braking lights automatically alert following vehicles during emergency braking.
On top of safety technologies, Ranger has been engineered to include Ford proprietary pedestrian protection features. This includes a "hexageneous" under-bonnet structure to reduce the potential for pedestrian head injuries.

"The all-new Ranger is in a league of its own," said Gary Boes, vehicle line director for Ford’s new compact truck platform. "It's unique in that it delivers all that's expected of a truck and more without forcing a trade-off on the customer."

Source: Ford Media