The redesigned Thailand-built Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 pickup twins, revealed at the Australian international motor show in Sydney, have moved farther apart in exterior and interior styling than the outgoing models and will eventually also be built in Argentina and South Africa – both also large light truck markets.
New engines for the Ford version include a 2.2-litre diesel from Ford Europe’s Dagenham diesel centre here in the UK. Some markets will also get a 2.5-litre I4 Duratec petrol unit producing 122kW of power at 6000rpm and 226Nm of torque, 24% more than the previous model.
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This engine gets a five-speed manual gearbox and will be offered to run on E100 ethanol/flexfuel, CNG or LPG.
So far, neither Ford nor Mazda has confirmed the Ranger/BT-50 will replace the current US-built Ranger and its no-longer-available-new Mazda B-series clone but US auto media has long speculated the new range would replace the North American line – not redesigned in years – under Ford CEO Alan Mulally’s OneFord programme which has seen the Mexican-built, European Fiesta launched recently with the Focus – built in the US – to follow next year.
European sales are again planned. Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, said: “The scope of its capability and technology are further evidence of how powerful the One Ford initiative is in helping us globally to develop a whole range of all-new class-leading vehicles. We look forward to bringing new Ranger to European customers by 2012 and I am confident it will exceed their expectations.”
New available technology includes rear view camera system, voice control, trailer sway control and adaptive load control. Ford’s version will be available in three different cab body styles, with 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, two ride heights and four series choices.
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By GlobalDataEuropean versions will have two common rail ‘Duratorq TDCi’ diesels and new, more fuel-efficient six-speed automatic and manual transmissions.
The top seller is likely to be the Dagenham-built 2.2-litre I4 with peak torque of 375Nm and power output of 110kW (150PS). A new 3.2-litre, I5 diesel engine with 470Nm of torque and power rated of 147kW (200PS) will also be offered.
Front suspension has been redesigned with coil-over-strut layout, allows for better tuning of the upper and lower wishbone design. The rear leaf suspension has also been redesigned.
An electronic stability control (ESP) system that includes four-wheel traction control, yaw control and roll-over mitigation will be standard in Europe.
‘Trailer sway mitigation’ and ‘daptive load control’ will be optional in some markets. If a trailer begins to sway, brakes are selectively applied to slow down the vehicle and trailer combination. To ensure that the Ranger maintains a stable ride when carrying full loads of cargo, adaptive load control determines the payload and applies the necessary measures to maintain a straight and level ride.
New passive safety technology includes the availability of side curtain airbags on all cab styles for the first time.
The cargo box of a new double cab model is more than 100mm wider than before – 1,549mm long by 511mm high and with a maximum cargo width of 1,560mm. Volume is 1.21 cubic metres.
Width between the wheel arches is 1,139mm on all models and special provisions are provided in the cargo box to place struts of lumber in pockets that are located above the wheel arch. This allows plywood or sheet rock to be stacked flat. Width at the rear tailgate opening, at the top of the box, is 1,330mm.
Ranger/BT-50 production begins in summer 2011, firstly in Rayong, Thailand, but Ford said it was also readying plants in Argentina and South Africa for additional capacity.
“The new manufacturing strategy for the single global compact pickup platform will drive new levels of product commonality for the Ford Ranger all around the globe,” the automaker said.
Mazda released photos but few details apart from a statement detailing the styling of its new model – billed as an ‘active lifestyle vehicle’.
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COMMENT: The little Mazda truck that could
