Ford RANGER PICK-UP RANGE
Its Fords Hope That Their Latest Ranger Pick-Up Has The Purposeful Looks And The Underlying Ability To Wrestle Sales From The Markets Far-Eastern Contingent. Steve Walker Decides What Sort Of A Chance It Stands
America; a huge sprawling country of wide-open spaces, mountains, deserts, forests and farmland. Here the pick-up truck is king, refined enough for urban use but with the potential to branch out into the wilderness at a moments notice. Japan, by contrast, is a place where, were told, space is at a premium. A hi-tec, densely populated, society with a fetish for miniaturisation and golf - the tiny city car is the vehicle that youd most readily associate with such a set-up.
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In light of this, youd expect a sensible nation to buy its pick-ups from the US leaving the land of the rising sun to supply vehicles of a smaller nature. We dont, at present but its a situation that the
Ford Ranger is tasked with bringing about.
The pick-up truck is certainly an archetypal American vehicle and yet, in the UK, this rapidly expanding niche market is awash with accomplished interpretations of the theme sourced from Japan.
Mitsubishi,
Nissan,
Toyota,
Isuzu and
Mazda are all currently trying to tempt British motorists into one of these open-backed beasts. Leaving the Ford Ranger to cut a lonely figure as the sole US representative on these shores - and even this is made at Fords plant in Thailand! The situation has a lot to do with the global web of todays motor industry and the fact that large numbers of these Far-Eastern Pick-Ups were designed for sale outside Japan. But, nevertheless, if you want the genuine article, an all-American, apple pie, pick-up, the latest Ford Ranger is nearest youll get from the UK mainstream.
"Inside, all Ford Ranger models get class-leading space and better materials than youd expect from what is essentially a commercial vehicle."
In the cold light of day, most buyers wont give two hoots where their pick-up truck hails from, as long as it can do the jobs that are asked of it. The previous Ranger model held its own against the Japanese class leaders without doing anything remarkable but now Ford hope that a series of revisions, along with a new imposing front end will give it the presence to force its way ahead of the pack. The Ranger range is now comprised of three bodystyles, the regular single cab, the five-seater double cab and the halfway-house super cab. The first two are fairly self-explanatory and the third is an intriguing pillarless configuration of two normal front doors and two reverse-hinged rear doors that allow access to some small cinema-style folding seats in the back.
With the rear seating provision in the up position, theres secure storage space that provides a useful alternative to leaving items in the external load area or cluttering up the cab itself. When its folded down, the supercab can accommodate four people. You wouldnt wish a long journey cooped up in the back on your larger enemies, youll need a double cab to transport them, but its fine for kids, and the vertically challenged - on short trips. For any CV weight-watchers out there, the capacity is available to haul 1180kg in the single, 1210kg in the super and 1135kg in the double cab.
The Rangers engines remain unchanged from the outgoing model and that means 83bhp and 107bhp derivatives of the same 2.5-litre Duratorq turbo diesel for the 4x2 and 4x4 versions respectively. The Duratorq unit is powerful with good low-end torque similar, in other words, to the diesel powerplants that youll find in most UK market pick-ups. The 4x4 transmission system also follows a familiar formula.
The driver can select three modes, rear-wheel drive, 4x4 and a special low range 4x4 for serious offroad obstacles. To aid rear-wheel traction on treacherous surfaces, theres a limited slip differential as standard. The Ranger performs well in the rough with its proven mechanical set-up and chassis. Where Ford have taken a distinct step forward is in terms of the Rangers comfort and handling.
The on-road ride of pick-ups generally leaves something to be desired - especially when unladen - and even though the Ranger still maintains this rather bouncy tradition, it subscribes to a less extreme form. Both front and rear dampers have been tinkered with, making journeys over rough road surfaces noticeably more sedate. In addition, driver-friendly alterations to the power steering and gearbox make pottering about town less of a chore. Place the current Ranger side by side with its predecessor and youll notice the new grille before anything else, its a larger deeper affair that certainly doesnt skimp on the chrome.
Either side are fairly standard headlamps but the indicator lenses are clear on the latest version. The bonnet has been heightened for a more aggressive flat-fronted look and the range topping XLT derivative gets a substantial chrome bumper, where other models make do with body-coloured alternatives. The plush XLT also receives six-spoke alloy wheels, chrome mirrors and door handles, optional two-tone paintwork and an up-spec interior with CD player. Which is nice.
Inside, all Ford Ranger models get class-leading space and better materials than youd expect from what is essentially a commercial vehicle. The seating is firm and supportive for longer trips, while the driving position is far more laidback and car-like than youd credit. If youre going to be keeping expensive tools on-board, youll like the addition of optional remote-central locking and the standard immobiliser which forms part of Fords PATS, passive anti-theft system. Standard safety features include driver and passenger airbags along with ABS on 4x4 models.
The growth of the UK pick-up market shows no sign of waning, driven on by the multi-purpose potential of these load carrying offroaders as well as the collection of attractive tax breaks that owners can gain from the pick-ups commercial vehicle status. The Ford Ranger is now amongst the most desirable of its kind, competitive on every level, with a quality of comfort and interior that puts most rivals in the shade. Its a model from the pick-ups spiritual home in the good-old US of A that many UK buyers will have every reason to choose in preference over the far-eastern alternatives.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
PICK-UP: Ford Ranger Pick-Up Range
PRICE: £10,350 - £16,350 (Basic) TOWING CAPACITY: [Braked] 2800kg GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: Single Cab: 2645kg, Super Cab: 2930kg, Double Cab: 2845kg.
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, anti-submarine front seats, collapsible steering column, safety belt grabbers.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height (mm) 5012/1740/1740
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