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New Ford Ranger Unveiled
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Ford Australia unveiled the vehicle that will replace Courier and
spearhead its light commercial vehicle line-up in 2007 at the recent
Sydney Motor Show – 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 105 kW at 3,500 rpm and an impressive 330 Nm of
torque at 1,800 rpm. 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 380 Nm
of torque at 1,800 rpm and 115 kW of power at 3,200 rpm. 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 developing 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 50 mm higher than the previous
Courier model, boosting storage to 1,266 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 headrestraints. 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 bonnet’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 stabiliser bar. Steering has been optimised 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
* Price excludes air conditioning, which is a recommended retail price $2000
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