Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has locally unveiled the latest generation of the world’s most successful one-ton pickup truck, the new Ford Ranger. The Ranger sets new standards as a no-compromise, powerful truck that offers style, comfort and refinement.
New Ford Ranger at a glance:
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All-new exterior design
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All-new interior styling
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New 3.0-litre Duratorq common-rail diesel engine with increased power and torque and improved fuel economy
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Increased towing and loading capacity
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Improved ride and handling
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Reduction in noise, vibration and harshness
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Extensive development program for the new Ranger tested on four continents
The all-new Ford Ranger, built locally at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s Silverton plant, promises to deliver more style, more practicality, more durability and more comfort. It features a new tough and modern exterior design, a completely re-designed interior, increased loading and towing capacity, and an all-new common-rail diesel engine.
According to André Oosthuizen, Marketing Manager of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, “The new Ranger offers a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done. It’s a rugged workhorse at heart but with all the modern conveniences and practicalities associated with passenger cars.”
While the new Ranger boasts many new innovations it also builds on the strengths that have won it acclaim, around the world – its proven durability, impressive off-road ability, advanced safety features plus quality and ruggedness that inspire confidence.
The new Ranger continues to offer a range of three different body styles to suit the diverse needs of pick-up customers. The four-door Double Cab has plenty of room for 5 adults – providing flexibility for both leisure and business. The four-door Super Cab boasts a pillar-less reverse hinged rear-door system for easy access to the back, and provides the versatility of additional storage space with load boxes. The two-door Single Cab is a two-seater that provides exceptional rear load space.
“The dual personality Ranger offers the best of both worlds. On one hand it’s a dependable, genuine truck while on the other hand it’s a great family vehicle with an array of safety, comfort and convenience features.
“Ford engineers have built on the company’s vast experience in trucks to deliver the ultimate one-ton vehicle with the performance and power to get the job done.”
Ford’s Tough Truck ethos is founded on the basis of Ford’s revered Truck history. With a heritage that dates back 90 years Ford has established itself as a leader in the segment and offers South African buyers the widest possible range of pick-ups.
“We pride ourselves in being the only local brand to offer a ½ ton (Bantam), 1 ton (Ranger) and a full size (F250) pick-up,” added Oosthuizen.
The Ranger launch sees the introduction of a new engine to the line-up. Exceptional performance, best of all 4×2’s on the market, rapid engine response and great fuel economy are the characteristic traits associated with this new 3.0-litre, common rail diesel engine. It produces 115kW at 3 200rpm and 380Nm at 1 800rpm.
The previously available engine options remain on offer, giving buyers a choice of two petrol derivatives and three diesel derivatives.
“With customers expected to use their vehicle for heavy-duty work, Ford designed the cargo-box to ensure it truly meets the needs and requirements of owners. The durable nature of the vehicle therefore caters for heavy loads and equipment.”
The new Ford Ranger has been developed to carry a full load and haul a heavy trailer over the most challenging surfaces. These impressive capabilities are made possible by the Ranger’s new powertrain, stiffer body and upgraded suspension.
To validate these capabilities and ensure that the expectations of demanding Ford truck customers were achieved, the Ranger was subjected to extensive payload and trailer-towing tests in hot and cold climates.
Beyond its impressive payload and towing performance, the Ranger also features a flexible storage system that is vital in meeting the needs of customers with a variety of cargo-carrying requirements. The side walls of the cargo box are now 60mm taller, enabling owners to store more equipment. This translates into an impressive cargo capacity of 1 266 litres, an improvement of 166 litres over the previous generation. Tie-down hooks have been repositioned lower in the rear of the box for added security when carrying loads.
True to Ford’s passion for driving quality, the new Ranger has significantly enhanced drivability. To deliver improved ride quality it has a larger and longer front suspension, torsion bars and spring bushing, larger wheels and all-terrain tyres, a larger diameter shock absorber, and increased leaf spring length to optimize ride quality. There is also a new stabilizer bar, and an improved hydraulic braking system.
The new Ranger provides safe and precise handling both laden and unladen thanks to its clever use of progressive damping and carefully tuned spring rates.
“Ford designers focused on creating a package that offers the right mix of on-road agility and off-road capabilities, while still ensuring passengers are safe at all times,” said Oosthuizen.
As more and more customers use their Ranger for day-to-day transportation, Ford’s no-compromise approach to safety ensures that all occupants are equally protected. The new Ranger offers driver and passenger airbags, plus side impact airbags for the front seats in certain models. Seatbelts are equipped with pre-tensioners to ensure maximum passenger protection in the event of an accident. Four-wheel anti-lock braking is also available.
A revised ladder-frame platform features overlapped and cross-braced construction that boosts rigidity, making the Ranger stronger and easier to drive – especially when carrying or towing heavy loads. Its unique body construction directs crash forces through the strengthened frame and away from the vehicle occupants.
Protective beams in the doors and the raised beltline provide added safety and protection from side impacts. The vehicle is also safer thanks to the improved handling, which has been made more precise with the revised suspension, improved aerodynamics and more responsive steering. In particular, these changes make long-distance travel more comfortable and less tiring.
“The new Ford Ranger underwent stringent tests in the development phase resulting in a superior end product for the user. Increased towing and load capacities, improved ride and handling as well as reductions to NVH are just some of the beneficial changes. While revamped styling of both the interior and the exterior complete the Ranger transformation,” concluded Oosthuizen.
Service intervals on all models are every 10 000kms, with a 5 year / 90 000km Service Plan as standard across the range. Customers will also benefit from 3 years of Roadside Assistance as part of the Ford Ranger package. A 3yr / 100 000km Warranty is standard as is a 5 year Corrosion Warranty.
In addition, customers are offered free off road driver training as part of the Ford Lifestyle Experience.
