2006 AIMS: New Ford Ranger Unveiled at Australian International Motor Show

[Donut King]

Ford Australia has unveiled the vehicle that will replace Courier and spearhead its light commercial vehicle line-up in 2007 – the all-new Ford Ranger.

"Setting new standards in the light commercial sector, the all-new Ford Ranger is a no-compromise, powerful vehicle offering the style, comfort and refinement of a passenger car," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman.

"The new Ranger is more powerful compared with Courier, offers improved functionality and increased towing ability and maintains a one-tonne plus payload across the range.

“Ford engineers have built on the company’s vast experience in trucks to deliver the ultimate one-tonne vehicle with the performance and power to get the job done.

"At the same time, we recognised that Ranger had to be versatile enough to adapt to the changing needs of the light commercial owner in the 21st century. It needs to be a combination of reliable work mate, family vehicle, lifestyle statement and an adventure vehicle.

"We engineered Ranger to deliver on all these expectations. It’s the Can Do truck – a truck that means business."

Mr Gorman said the new Ranger light commercial range replaces the Courier line-up; with the name change to Ranger coming after numerous hours of exhaustive customer research.

"It was a tough decision to change a name that has been part of the Ford Australia family since 1978, but the research was overwhelming.

"The light commercial vehicle sector has changed dramatically in recent years, with customers wanting more from their truck than just a reliable work vehicle.

"Today's light truck owner wants the best of both worlds – a dependable, genuine truck for the industrious worker and a great family vehicle with the quality, safety, comfort and modern conveniences they demand. Ranger researched well as a brand name that exemplified all these attributes.

"The Ranger brand is used by Ford around the world and, with an all-new vehicle for 2007, we saw this as the ideal time to introduce a new light truck with a bold new name for the Australian light commercial market," Mr Gorman said.

New Ranger features a more aggressive and bolder look, a modern car-like interior, two new common-rail turbo-diesel engines featuring direct injection, improved ride and handling and significantly higher towing capacity.

“We developed Ranger to be rugged and tough for the most challenging truck applications,” Mr Gorman said.

“We listened to the market and focused our improvements on Ranger’s classic rugged exterior, its refined and comfortable interior, exceptional diesel performance, great driving feel and fantastic ability both on and off-road."

New high-torque, fuel-efficient engines

The new Ranger vehicles will be powered by two new twin-cam turbo-diesel engines featuring common-rail direct fuel injection for effortless high-torque pulling power.

The new 16-valve 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre four-cylinder Duratorq engines are markedly quieter while offering superior performance, improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

A variable geometry turbocharger has significantly reduced turbo lag, broadens the torque curve and promotes smoother and faster acceleration.

Hauling or towing heavy loads is a breeze with the new 2.5-litre engine, which delivers maximum power of 105kW at 3500rpm and an impressive 330Nm of torque at 1800rpm.

When compared with the previous Courier model's 2.5-litre diesel, torque is up 22% at 200 fewer revs and fuel economy has improved 17% in the new 2.5-litre engine.

Even more impressive is the 3.0-litre engine, which produces a thumping 380Nm of torque at 1800rpm and 115kW of power at 3200rpm.

Mr Gorman said the common-rail direct-injection system and other engine technology were tuned for significant gains in both performance and fuel efficiency.

“The engines are monitored by a 32-bit microprocessor that constantly adjusts all systems to ensure the optimal fuel-air mixture. Power and economy are enhanced by creating the most efficient swirl patterns within each cylinder through use of a swirl control valve.

"This ensures more complete combustion at all engine speeds, leading to greatly improved fuel economy and a substantial reduction in emissions,” he said.

Mr Gorman said the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powerplant could be matched to either a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic transmission.

Tough, modern exterior

The exterior of new Ford Ranger is designed to be tougher and more modern with a purposeful stance and a bolder, more athletic appearance.

A self-assured, aggressive on-road presence is achieved through an imposing new front-end, prominent wheel arches, higher beltline and taller cargo box.

The bold front-end design – featuring a large, wide grille and dominant power dome – conveys strength and gives a hint of the powerful new engines underneath. Clear-lens reflector headlamps with jewel-like details and a bold split front bumper, helping protect integrated fog lamps (where fitted), complete the look.

At the rear, the side-wall of the cargo box is 50mm higher than the previous Courier model, boosting storage to 1266 litres on single cab models.

The new line up offers a combination of torque, payload and towing ability* which positions Ranger as one of the most desirable vehicles in the light commercial vehicle sector.

Fresh, refined interior

The confidence, power and refinement of all-new Ranger continue on the inside where owners will find the features, comfort and craftsmanship normally reserved for passenger cars.

“Truck owners are spending more and more time in the vehicles, both at work and with their friends and family on weekends,” Mr Gorman said.

“We designed the new Ranger interior to ensure they enjoy the comfort they want and deserve.”

For passenger comfort during spirited driving or over long distances, the front seats feature a new, more sculpted back, more supportive bolsters and larger headrests. New switches and controls are easier to operate and placed logically so the driver knows intuitively where to find them.

A new centre stack is displayed prominently in the modern instrument panel. Flowing visually from the hood’s power dome, the centre stack dynamically links the exterior and interior.

The centre stack contains new ventilation controls and a standard audio system that features an AM/FM radio, in-dash CD player with MP3 capability.

Convenient storage areas abound, including a pull out tray from the passenger-side instrument panel, ideal for holding paperwork. Other storage areas are located on top of the instrument panel, below the ventilation controls and inside the front doors. The two-bin centre console can store up to 10 CDs plus a pair of sunglasses and two mobile phones.

Ranger also retains its interior spaciousness and flexibility with a Single Cab, Crew Cab, Chassis Cab and the Super Cab, incorporating the innovative Rear Access System (RAS). With two front doors and two access panels that open towards the rear, the RAS provides the largest possible opening to the cabin for the convenience of passengers and for loading large valuable objects.

4x4 - A tough off-roader

Ford Ranger’s credentials as an authentic off-roader have been enhanced with a more rigid chassis and tougher, more durable suspension for overcoming the most challenging conditions. Wide tracks, superb ground clearance and excellent approach, departure and ramp-over angles are designed to negotiate the roughest terrain including steep hills and deep ruts.

High-torque performance, mated to a robust 4x4 transfer case and fed to the road through larger wheels and all-terrain tyres, provide the extra traction needed to take customers anywhere – and get them back safely.

New Ranger has undergone extensive durability and performance testing in the most severe conditions – from a numbing -25°C to a searing 50°C. It has survived torture tests at proving grounds in the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and South Africa, including extensive trailer-towing.

Early production vehicles were put through their paces in the mountains of northern Thailand and Laos, the jungles of Borneo, the Australian outback, South Africa’s Kruger National Park and German autobahns.

Improved ride and handling

Every mechanical aspect of new Ford Ranger has been engineered and refined to deliver superior driving and handling. The Ranger’s tougher and more durable chassis and suspension have been tuned to deliver sharper handling and a more refined ride, even when fully laden and towing heavy loads.

At the same time, Ford engineers have ensured Ranger can handle some of the most challenging driving conditions and road surfaces in the world.

At the front, Ranger’s 4x2 and 4x4 models are fitted with a car-like independent double-wishbone suspension with a longer and larger torsion bar and larger-diametre dampers for greater driver control and ride comfort.

Ranger’s rear suspension, carefully tuned for improved ride and handling, has been strengthened to support the vehicle’s hauling and towing capabilities with longer leaf springs and a new stabilizer bar.

Steering has been optimized for easy handling in low-speed manoeuvres such as parking and better control at high speeds.

Quieter, more refined vehicle

A great deal of attention was paid to reducing noise, vibration and harshness in the 2006 Ranger – particularly engine, wind and road noise.

The new engines are markedly quieter, especially at idle and under heavy acceleration loads. The common-rail direct-injection technology, with multiple injections of fuel per cycle, reduces combustion noise, making the cabin interior much more pleasant for listening to the sound system or conversing. A quieter cooling fan system has also been used.

Ranger’s stiffer frame, suspension and body as well as improved body, engine and transmission mounts all contribute to reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

Improved seals around the doors and glass and new door-latching mechanisms have dramatically cut wind noise, along with better air flow over the new external mirrors to reduce buffeting. New all-terrain tyres, revised floor damping and a new dash insulator combine to cut road noise.

Even safer

New Ranger offers a host of structural improvements over and above Courier, and also features side airbags as standard on XLT 4x4 models^.

Ranger’s excellent body construction directs crash forces through the strengthened frame and away from vehicle occupants. Protective beams in the doors and the raised beltline provide added safety and protection from side crashes.

The more durable suspension, improved aerodynamics and more responsive steering contribute to safety by improving handling at high speeds and ensuring long-distance travel is more comfortable and less tiring.

Stopping power comes from larger ventilated discs at the front and leading and trailing drums at the rear. Braking effort has been reduced and four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) are standard on XLT 4x4 models and available as an option across the rest of the range.

Crew Cabs include height-adjustable three-point seatbelts in outboard positions. All models are fitted with pre-tensioners in the seatbelt retractors for improved passenger restraint in the event of a collision.

The high hip point of the driver’s seat and Ranger’s large windows and sloping hood afford excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road and traffic conditions.

"The light commercial segment is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing in the Australian market.

"The new Ranger, with its impressive list of features, gives Ford Australia a fantastic vehicle to enhance our well earned light truck reputation," Mr Gorman said.

Recommended retail pricing for the new Ranger model line-up ranges from $20,990 for the 2.5-litre Turbo Diesel 4x2 Single Cab-Chassis XL, through to $45,990 for the highly specified range topping 3.0-litre Turbo Diesel 4x4 Crew Cab Pick-Up XLT.

Further details of the new Ford Ranger will be released closer to launch.

*On 3.0L Turbo Diesel XL 4x2, XL 4x4 and XLT 4x4 when fitted with the genuine Ford Accessory heavy duty tow pack (includes towbar, load levelling kit, towball and wiring), and subject to State and Territory legislation.

^Available March 2007

RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE

Model Description Recommended
Retail Price (RRP)#
4x2 Single Cab Chassis XL* – 2.5 litre Turbo Diesel $20,990
4x2 Single Cab Pick Up XL – 2.5 litre Turbo Diesel $23,990
4x2 Single Cab Chassis XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $29,990
4x2 Super Cab Chassis XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $31,490
4x2 Super Cab Pick Up XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $33,490
4x2 Crew Cab Pick Up XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $34,490
4x4 Single Cab Chassis XL* – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $33,490
4x4 Super Cab Chassis XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $36,990
4x4 Super Cab Pick Up XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $38,990
4x4 Super Cab Pick Up XLT – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $44,990
4x4 Crew Cab Chassis XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $37,990
4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up XL – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $39,990
4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up XLT – 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel $45,990

[Martyvan]

That does sound very appealling!

[1TUFFUTE]

more pics looks nice

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Another global used name to the Ford line up in Australia.

[ondori]

its already on the UK ford site if you want a look.
http://www.ford.co.uk/ie/ranger/-/-/-/-/-/-

[dallasv8]

only diesel?that sux big time.

i would like to see one of the 4wd models with a front solid axle instead of the independent front end.

[pHaT`eL]

Would make a great base for a mini-truck me thinks.. Love the flared out guards.. Room for a turbo 6 or v8 even..?

[dallasv8]

UTE.
with diesal bein roughly 15 cents dearer than unleaded i think its just plain stupid to not offer petrol versions.

[FalconXV]

I'm sure the petrol versions are coming too....I'd like to know what six they'll use this time.

[pb02]

Originally Posted by dallasv8

UTE.
with diesal bein roughly 15 cents dearer than unleaded i think its just plain stupid to not offer petrol versions.

Usually Diesels offer a much better economy rate.
For memory when I was looking at a Hilux the diesel was around 9.3/100kms and the petrol was 13/100kms

[Smoke Pursuit]

No petrol!!

Woah.

[TUF_302]

Thats hot as !!, best lookin Ford pickup in ages!!

[dallasv8]

diesels might be a bit better on fuel but when its like 15c a litre dearer is it really worth it? plus diesel powered cars are usually a tad dearer in the first place.i personally would rather see some petrol varients.

[Martyvan]

In the Courier, most people only bought a Petrol, so they could get an Automatic {Speculation only}. With the Ranger, people can get an Auto with the Diesel...... As most people would use these as 'commercial' vehicles, They would see the economic benefit of purchasing the diesel.

Originally Posted by dallasv8

UTE.
with diesal bein roughly 15 cents dearer than unleaded i think its just plain stupid to not offer petrol versions.

Courier Diesel vs Petrol