In design terms, the new front styling gives Ranger a sleeker, more modern look, but also shows it means business.
A large horizontal three-bar grille dominates, and is proudly embossed with RANGER lettering. Two black vertical nostrils either side of the grille plus the extended opening below the bumperline and large headlamps that wrap around each front corner create an instantly recognisable design statement. The lower bumper fascia also includes integrated foglamps.
New Ranger’s tough contemporary style is supported by solid, modern engineering. The sweeping, tapered front is more aerodynamic and sweeps rearward at its edges to incorporate Ranger’s bold front wheel arches. This key design detail communicates Ranger’s solid, confident stance and grippy handling character, whether in 4×2 or 4×4 configuration.
Design features influenced by extensive wind tunnel testing also include the door mirrors. Increased in size for better visibility, the mirror’s shape – incorporating the LED turn indicator on Wildtrak – was specifically designed to reduce air turbulence and wind noise.
Ranger is available in three body styles – Single Cab, RAP (Rear Access Panel) Cab and Double Cab. The RAP Cab is a four-door system to provide freer access to the cabin by featuring two forward-hinged doors and two rear-hinged access panels. An innovation first introduced to Ranger in 2002, the RAP Cab provides unobstructed access to the spacious interior for ease of entry and cargo loading and an uncompromised side-impact safety structure that replaces the centre pillar of a traditional double cab. In addition a Chassis Cab version is available on both the
single Cab and RAP Cab.
Contemporary Details
A new black vent at the trailing edge of the front wings is one of the key styling signatures. The vent features detailed recessed meshwork which surrounds a chrome Ranger badge on Wildtrak models or the side-indicator repeater.
Ranger’s large door mirrors incorporate feature details to reflect the series choice. The mirror is moulded in black on the XL, finished with a body colour cap for Ranger XLT models and a chrome-finished cap for Ranger Limited and Wildtrak. The door mirrors on Wildtrak feature a high-intensity LED integral turn indicator. Mirrors pivot for tight clearance areas and all series now benefit from electrically heated mirrors for improved visibility.
Rear bumper finishes give further opportunity to reflect model series, so treatments progress from black on the XL to chrome on the higher series with Park Distance Control additionally featuring on the Limited and Wildtrak models.
Ranger is offered with ten high quality exterior paint choices, five of which are new: Highland Green, Wining Blue, Lagoon Blue, Copper Red and Desert Bronze.
New Ranger also debuts a clear tail lamp design – another contemporary cue – that visually unites the smooth tailgate to the sculpted box side. The clear tail lamps further emphasise the reality of car-like styling and features available in Ford’s pick-up range.
Style, Space, Craftsmanship and Comfort
Despite its tough load lugging and off-road capabilities, the new Ranger’s interior offers car-like comfort and low noise levels, thanks to ergonomically crafted seats, climate control and MP3-compatible audio and a bodyshell engineered to isolate road noise from the cabin.
“Minimising NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) in all of our products is a key target for us,” says Nenzen. “Ranger is no exception to this and the new model is more comfortable than ever.”
All Ranger models offer AM/FM radio and an MP3-compatible CD player as standard. The audio unit features a digital display that incorporates a clock function.
The lower centre console features two integral 12-volt power outlets and – on all models except the entry level XL – an additional AUX input connection for popular audio players, such as an iPod.
Ranger also offers an array of clever stowage solutions, including a centre stack sunglass binnacle, a front door stowage bin capable of accommodating a half-litre bottle and a pull-out sliding tray above the glove compartment.
Extending the width of the passenger side of the dashboard, the slideout tray supports a weight of 10 kilograms and is ideal for use as a work surface for writing or map reading.
Ranger’s large centre console features a two-level design. Its top bin is ideal for accommodating smaller items such as a mobile phone, while its lower bin can house larger objects, including up to 10 CD cases.
Power window and mirror controls are a standard feature in all four Ranger series. The driver’s window has a one-touch down feature and the switch is backlit for better night visibility.
Single cab models feature seating for two, the RAP Cab seats four and the Double Cab seats five. The rear seats in the RAP Cab can be folded up to provide secure storage in the cab rather than using the rear load space.
“The high performance air conditioning system, comprehensive audio features and red illumination of the instrument panel coupled with its bold and updated exterior styling make Ranger a very inviting place to be,” said Henrik Nenzen, “It is also the perfect crossover for business-owners and an increasing number of urban drivers seeking a stylish vehicle that reflects and supports their lifestyle choices.”
Ranger Power and Capability
The new Ford Ranger continues to offer a comprehensive choice of engines, transmissions and drivetrain configurations to meet all customer needs.
Two versions of Ford’s Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel engine lead the powertrain line-up. These responsive common-rail diesel engines are available in either 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre versions.
The diesel engines are available in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations and can be paired with either a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.
The 143PS (105kW) 2.5-litre engine is rated at 330Nm and has CO2 emission figures of 227 g/km and 244 g/km respectively in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations and regular cab bodystyle. Using the EC combined fuel consumption cycle the 4×2 regular cab bodystyle travels 100 km using 8.3 litres of fuel and the 4×4 uses 8.9 litres.*
The 156PS (115kW) 3.0-litre version generates 380Nm at the flat peak of its torque curve
“Importantly for all of our customers both TDCi engines produce their maximum torque from just 1,800 rpm,” explains Nenzen. “This makes Ranger ideal for great on-road performance or for hauling and towing with its class leading 3,000kg braked trailer loads.”
The Ranger 4×4 is designed for superior ground clearance and river fording capability. Its approach and departure angles are designed to provide off-road clearance.
Ranger Tough
Ranger isn’t just about tough style. It’s about proven ‘truck toughness’.
Ranger’s toughness starts with a purpose-built truck backbone. Its unique overlapped, cross-braced ladder frame delivers clear strength superiority and the frame is engineered for greater rigidity than H-beam or open-beam configurations.
The frame structure is the foundation of Ranger’s load-carrying capacity, towing capability, durability, handling performance and driving quality.
The Load Ranger
The heart of Ranger’s truck capability is its extra-deep-sidewall pickup box. This design maximises load capacity and cargo flexibility.
The Ranger pick-up box features:
* Well-placed cargo tiedowns. Easy to access, these tiedown hooks have been designed with Ford’s extensive truck engineering experience
* Slotted inner fenders that allow the easy insertion of available shelving systems for cargo management and loading
Ranger is available in three pick-up box dimensions depending on cab configuration:
* Single Cab – 2280mm by 1456mm
* RAP Cab – 1753mm by 1456mm
* Double Cab – 1530mm by 1456mm
Ranger also offers class-leading towing capability. Ranger equipped with either the
2.5-litre or 3.0-litre TDCi Duratotq engine is rated at up to 3,000kg.
