The Ford Ranger (T6) Thread

Ford Ranger production starts in US, new Bronco to follow

Ford has kicked off production of the Ranger at its Michigan Assembly Plant just outside of Detroit in the United States, with the new Bronco set to follow in 2020.

The US-spec Ranger returns to the North American market at the start of 2019 after an eight-year hiatus.

The Blue Oval brand says it has invested some $850-million to build “exciting new vehicles” at the Michigan facility – which earlier in 2018 ended production of the Focus – including the Ranger and the new Bronco (the plant started building the original Bronco back in 1966).

As we’ve already reported, the US-spec Ranger will be powered by a 2,3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine (worth 201 kW and 420 N.m) mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission.

Furthermore, the brand claims the Ranger will deliver “best-in-class” payload and towing capability, with the former pegged at 844 kg and the latter at 3 402 kg, when “equipped with the tow package and a trailer brake controller”.
“We have been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Michigan Assembly plant manager, Erik Williams. “The Ranger is back home in the US, and our employees at Michigan Assembly Plant are thrilled to be able to build it for our customers.”
In South Africa, of course, the locally built Ranger is offered solely in turbodiesel guise, with the current 2,2-litre four-cylinder and 3,2-litre five-pot set to be joined by a new twin-turbo 2,0-litre (as debuted by the Ranger Raptor) in 2019.

Also in 2019, an updated version of the Ranger is scheduled to launch in South Africa, bringing the new engine, updated styling and bolstered safety credentials.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/ford-ranger-production-starts-us-new-bronco-follow/

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Ford’s production capacity in South Africa reaches new high

Ford South Africa says it has reached its highest-ever installed production capacity for the Ranger and the Everest after investing some R11-billion locally over the past decade.

Investment in the global export programme kicked off in 2009, with Ford pouring more money into the expansion of Ranger production (and the local assembly of the Everest) at its Silverton facility in 2016.

“The past 10 years have seen a complete transformation of Ford’s manufacturing operations in South Africa,” said Neale Hill, managing director at Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

“With a total investment of R11-billion since 2009, we have progressed from a low-volume multi-vehicle business primarily serving the domestic industry to becoming a high-volume single platform manufacturer that is the Ranger production source for 148 markets globally.

“The award-winning Ranger has been the key driver of this success, with ever-growing local and international demand resulting in extensive upgrades and improvements to our facilities to significantly increase our production capacity over the years,” Hill said.

“From the installed capacity of 110 000 units when we began assembling the new-generation Ford Ranger in 2011, we now have the capacity to build 168 000 vehicles annually to meet future requirements.”

The Ranger Raptor (due to launch locally in 2019) will also be produced in South Africa.

The Struandale engine plant, meanwhile, produces 2,2- and 3,2-litre Duratorq TDCi machined components and fully assembled engines for the Ranger and Everest, along with additional engine derivatives for newly added front-wheel-drive markets in Europe for the Transit.

Installed capacity for the Duratorq TDCi programme has grown from the original 220 000 machined component sets (cylinder head, block and crankshaft) in 2011 to a planned 280 000 by the end of 2018. Engine assembly capacity increased from 75 000 to 130 000 engines per annum over the same period.

A new assembly line has also been installed for the engines that will power the updated Ranger and Everest models, including the new bi-turbo unit to be used in the Ranger Raptor. Installed capacity for the new engine assembly line is 120 000 units per year, contributing to a highest-ever combined capacity of 250 000 engines for the Port Elizabeth plant.

Year to date, Ford says some 49 600 vehicles have been shipped from SA to global customers, with this figure “set to increase significantly for the balance of 2018 and into next year”.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/fords-production-capacity-in-south-africa-reaches-new-high/
 
Ford Performance to offer heaps of accessories for Ranger

The head of Ford Performance has confirmed his division will offer a range of factory-approved accessories for the Ranger bakkie.

The new comes after the Ranger prepares to return to the North American market at the start of 2019 after a hiatus of some eight years. According to Drive, US suppliers are expected to play a leading role in the development of these new parts.

Ford in the US says more than 150 performance parts and accessories will be available when the bakkie launches in that market in early 2019. Indeed, the brand displayed as many as eight Ranger concepts at SEMA 2018, each showing off a raft of accessories.

The Australian publication reports that Hermann Salenbauch, the global head of Ford Performance, said accessorising “really is a thing people love”.

“We want to take part in it,” he said. “We want to do that globally. This is not like when we do it here [in the United States]. We want to do it everywhere.”

Drive suggests Ford Performance accessories for the Ranger will include reworked bodywork, camping-style folding covers and “drastically modified” suspension.

The US-spec Ranger will be powered by a 2,3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine (worth 201 kW and 420 N.m) mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission.

In South Africa, of course, the locally built Ranger is offered solely in turbodiesel guise, with the current 2,2-litre four-cylinder and 3,2-litre five-pot set to be joined by a new twin-turbo 2,0-litre (as debuted by the Ranger Raptor) in 2019.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/ford-performance-to-offer-heaps-of-accessories-for-ranger/

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Budget Raptor, anyone? Ford Ranger Storm concept revealed

Ford has unwrapped its new Ranger Storm concept at the São Paulo International Motor Show, handing its double-cab bakkie plenty of aesthetic tweaks to make it look every bit a budget Raptor. It’s not yet clear whether Ford in Latin America plans to put this show vehicle into production.

Like the cheeky little EcoSport Storm revealed in February 2018, the new Ranger Storm concept boasts a model-specific grille complete with the sort of block lettering first made popular by the F-150 Raptor (this one, though, reads “Storm” rather than “Ford”).

Up front, you’ll also find a prominent silver-coloured skid-plate, honeycomb mesh inserts for the bumper’s air intakes and a snorkel running up the A-pillar. Black cladding has been attached above the wheelarches and along the vehicle’s flanks.

The tailgate (also bearing “Storm” lettering), meanwhile, has been blacked out, while decals have been added to the bonnet and along the body. The roof rails extend down towards the load bed to form a styling bar of sorts, while the 17-inch alloys are wrapped in off-road rubber from Pirelli.

Nothing’s changed under the bonnet, though, where Ford’s familiar 3,2-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel still develops 147 kW and 470 N.m, which is directed to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new Ranger Raptor, remember, employs a new twin-turbo 2,0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 157 kW and 500 N.m of torque, and mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/budget-raptor-ford-ranger-storm-concept-revealed/

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Facelift Ford Ranger 2.0 bi-turbo (2019) International Launch Review

The Ford Ranger has changed its ways. The facelifted version of the big-selling bakkie has seen some important alterations, including the most obvious one: the introduction of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine, which is mated with a high-tech 10-speed automatic transmission. But there’s more to the updated Ranger than just a new powertrain... Our Australian correspondent Matt Campbell has tested it before it arrives in South Africa in 2019.

Under the bonnet

Let's address the most pertinent question first: Does the new 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine, which has peak outputs of 157 kW and 500 Nm of torque, make the existing top-of-the-range engine (the well-known 3.2-litre 5-cylinder single-turbo diesel powerplant) redundant?

Well, on paper it certainly seems it has. By dropping a cylinder and adopting another turbo, the new bi-turbo powerplant out punches the fiver’s grunt numbers, which remain set at 147 kW and 470 Nm for 2019 models. There have been no changes to the existing 2.2- or 3.2-litre engines.

With full power available at 3 750 rpm and maximum torque of 500 Nm shifting things along from 1 750 to 2 000 rpm, you could understand why Ford has teamed the engine with a 10-spd automatic transmission, which does its best to try and keep the engine in its sweet spot at all times.

How does it work? Ford says the design uses a fixed geometry turbo that aims to negate low-rev lag, while the second turbo is a variable geometry unit for improved airflow at higher speeds.

In practice, the engine largely lives up to Ford’s claims of making for a “smoother, quieter” model: this is, undoubtedly, “the most refined Ranger yet”. It is considerably more hushed in operation than the 3.2-litre engine, and because of the smoothness, you might find yourself wondering exactly what gear you’re in at any given time. Thankfully, you need only tap the plus/minus rocker on the gear selector and it comes up on the digital display. I found myself doing this every time I drove it because it’s amazing to see that you’re in 9th gear at 75 kph.

With full power available at 3 750 rpm and maximum torque of 500 Nm shifting things along from 1 750 to 2 000 rpm, you could understand why Ford has teamed the engine with a 10-spd automatic transmission, which does its best to try and keep the engine in its sweet spot at all times.

How does it work? Ford says the design uses a fixed geometry turbo that aims to negate low-rev lag, while the second turbo is a variable geometry unit for improved airflow at higher speeds.

In practice, the engine largely lives up to Ford’s claims of making for a “smoother, quieter” model: this is, undoubtedly, “the most refined Ranger yet”. It is considerably more hushed in operation than the 3.2-litre engine, and because of the smoothness, you might find yourself wondering exactly what gear you’re in at any given time. Thankfully, you need only tap the plus/minus rocker on the gear selector and it comes up on the digital display. I found myself doing this every time I drove it because it’s amazing to see that you’re in 9th gear at 75 kph.

However, there’s something to be said for having fewer gears to choose from – it makes for a less confused driving experience. In my experience, the 10-speed 'box can struggle to select what gear it needs at times, and this was noticeable both when the vehicle had weight in the back, and when it was just me driving around the suburbs.

What's more, there is some unwanted driveline shudder at lower speeds. In 1st and 2nd gear, you can often feel a heavy vibration through the cabin, which felt as though it was emanating from the transmission.

How does it drive?

There is no question that the powertrain is a welcome addition to the Ranger line-up. My opinion, however, is that there are better engines out there in the bakkie market, although they come in expensive packages. The 3.0-litre V6 in the VW Amarok is tremendous (plus its transmission isn’t as prone to confusion). And, while I haven’t yet sampled the V6 Mercedes X-Class, it promises to trounce the 4-pot Ford for both grunt and refinement.

However, this is the drivetrain I would want if I was in the market for a Ranger... and it could well appeal to a different clientele than the hardy 3.2.

Verdict

Would I buy a Ford Ranger powered by the new 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine over any other Ford Ranger? Yes, I would. Would I buy one over any other (mid-luxury) bakkie, including the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton and even the Mercedes-Benz X-Class? Certainly.

This is a thoroughly well-rounded double-cab bakkie, one with a lot of potential to please. Admittedly it isn’t perfect, but the 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine certainly helps push it further towards that level.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_new...turbo-2019-international-launch-review/45844/

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Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2018 UK review

Should I buy one?

We like the Ranger – it’s honest, approachable and entirely fit for purpose. Yet while the Ranger was once one of the best of the breed on the road, the pick-up sector has since exploded with new and ever more credible rivals that have gone past it as a true big SUV alternative.

No matter how much window dressing Ford does to the car and how many toys it sticks on it to create versions like the Wildtrak X, its best work is done much lower down the range. So as a £20,000-£30,000 pick-up, the Ranger can give the plusher pick-ups a bloody nose – yet as a £40,000 model, it’s made to look rather exposed.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak X specification

Where Berkshire Price £38,574.64 On sale Now Engine 5 cyls, 3196cc, turbodiesel Power 197bhp at 3000rpm Torque 347lb ft at 1500-2750rpm Gearbox 6-spd automatic Kerb weight 2211kg Top speed 109mph 0-62mph 10.6sec Fuel economy 32.1mpg CO2 231g/km Rivals VW Amarok, Mercedes-Benz X-Class

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/ford/ranger/first-drives/ford-ranger-wildtrak-x-2018-uk-review

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Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Ford revealed for the first time the new Ford Ranger pick-up that will deliver more power, greater fuel-efficiency, enhanced refinement and advanced driver assistance technologies for customers across Europe from mid-2019.

The stylish and versatile new version of Europe's best-selling pick-up introduces Ford's sophisticated 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for optimised emissions, delivering up to a 9 per cent fuel-efficiency improvement when combined with an advanced new 10-speed automatic transmission.

The new Ranger engine line-up will be led by the powerful Bi-turbo version of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine, delivering 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque - up by 13 PS and 30 Nm compared with the current 3.2-litre TDCi diesel - for greater load-hauling capability.

Available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Double Cab body styles, the new Ranger features four-wheel drive as standard, and offers business and leisure users new tools to boost convenience and productivity, including Ford's SYNC 3 connectivity and FordPass Connect on-board modem technology.

Ranger is the first vehicle in its class to offer Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Intelligent Speed Limiter as standard. Active Park Assist is now also available, in addition to the existing range of advanced driving technologies designed to make driving less stressful and to help avoid or mitigate the effects of collisions.

"The new Ford Ranger provides customers with an unbeatable combination of pulling power, fuel-efficiency and smart driver-assistance technology, and our cutting-edge EcoBlue engine equipped with the latest SCR technology exceeds the new stringent emissions regulations," said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. "Our new Ford Ranger Raptor will ramp up the excitement even further when the thoroughbred desert racer and extreme lifestyle off-roader goes on sale for true enthusiast off-roaders at the same time."

Double Cab, high-power new Ranger variants now feature Active Noise Control technology for improved refinement. Flagship Ford Ranger Wildtrak models and luxurious Ranger Limited both also offer new premium features, including an easy-lift tailgate.

Delivering class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800 mm deep, and with 230 mm of ground clearance, new Ranger is designed and engineered to comfortably handle extreme terrains whether for work or lifestyle pursuit. A 29-degree approach angle and 21-degree departure angle enable drivers to feel confident when taking on steep obstacles. Off-road strengths are matched by towing capability of up to 3,500 kg and payload capacity of up to 1,252 kg.

Ford recorded class-leading Ranger sales of 51,500 units in Europe in 2018, an increase of more than 15 per cent compared with 2017. The Ford Performance-developed new Ranger Raptor - the toughest and most high-performing Ranger ever - also goes on sale to thrill-seeking customers across Europe in mid-2019.

https://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2020-ranger_wildtrak/

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Refreshed Ford Ranger gets new engine options in Europe…

Back in May 2018, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa confirmed the refreshed version its Ranger bakkie would be offered with the Raptor’s 2,0-litre turbodiesel when it launched locally at some point in 2019. Now the range has been detailed in Europe, where the downsized oil-burner will be available in three states of tune.

Ford in Europe says the new 2,0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine features “selective catalytic reduction” for optimised emissions, delivering up to a nine percent fuel-efficiency improvement when mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission.

As we already knew, the Ranger engine line-up will be led by the bi-turbo version borrowed from the Raptor, delivering 157 kW and 500 N.m. In addition, however, a single variable-geometry turbocharged version churning out 125 kW and 420 N.m will be offered in Europe, along with a base engine of the same configuration, offering 96 kW and 340 N.m of torque.

Ford says the compact single turbocharger has been specifically designed to deliver more air at lower engine revolutions compared with the 2,2-litre TDCi unit (which, along with the 3,2-litre five-cylinder, falls away in that market).

It’s not yet clear whether the new 2,0-litre engine will be offered with various outputs in South Africa later in 2019 (so far, the local arm of the Blue Oval brand has confirmed only that the 157 kW version, which is produced by the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, will be available) nor whether the current 2,2- and 3,2-litre diesel engines will soldier on in our market.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/refreshed-ford-ranger-gets-new-engine-options-in-europe/
 
Revised Ford Ranger gets new engine range and tech

Ford adds new 2.0-litre Ecoblue diesel to pick-up range, replacing the old 2.2 and 3.2 TDCi units

Ford has updated its Ranger pick-up truck with an overhauled engine range and new tech features, with sales beginning later this year.

The Mitsubishi L200 rival is the latest beneficiary of the Blue Oval's EcoBlue diesel engine, following on from the recently facelifted Mondeo. Ford claims a fuel economy improvement of up to 9% compared with the 2.2 TDCi, which will be phased out along with the five-cylinder 3.2-litre unit.

It's available in three states of tune: an entry-level 128bhp version, making 251lb ft of torque emitting 209g/km, with claimed economy of 35mpg. A 168bhp version, with 310lb ft of torque, emits 216g/km and claims 34mpg. A range topping twin-turbo version, sharing its motor with the new Ranger Raptor, makes 210bhp and 369lb ft of torque, emits 228g/km of CO2 and claims 31mpg.

All variants come with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the two most powerful units can be mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission, shared with cars such as the Mustang. Ford claims this gearbox contributes 5% of the efficiency boost over the old engines.

Minor styling revisions include a redesigned front bumper and grille, a xenon headlamp option for top models and fresh colour schemes. The interior receives trim colour revisions and a new gear selector for the automatic gearbox. A new 'easy-lift' tailgate also features.

Elsewhere, there are new technology additions such as an on-board modem offering a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices, a new mobile app that can locate, lock or unlock the car, and active park assist. New active safety features include pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection (said to be a class first) and an intelligent speed limiter.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/revised-ford-ranger-gets-new-engine-range-and-tech
 
Next-gen Ford Ranger and F-Series to share platform – report

An interesting statement released by Ford Australia suggests the next-generation Ranger and F-Series will share a new global “body-on-frame” platform.

These new underpinnings will be developed by the Blue Oval brand in the United States, rather than by its Australian arm (as was the case with the current T6 architecture).

“Ford is revamping its global Product Development operations to better meet local market needs and improve efficiency and quality, which includes a move to five modular and flexible architectures,” the statement said, as reported by motoring.com.au.

“As part of those changes, elements of the Ranger platform will integrate with Ford’s single, global body-on-frame flexible architecture, which will be led out of the United States,” it continued, leading to speculation the next F-Series could be built in right-hand-drive form.

“Certain powertrain systems currently engineered in Australia will move to other powertrain sites globally, enabling complexity reduction and scale efficiencies,” the statement continued.

Of course, in mid-January, Ford and Volkswagen confirmed the establishment of a “broad alliance” that will include the Blue Oval brand engineering and building “medium-sized” bakkies “for both companies”.

And this latest statement from Ford also suggested its Australian arm would lead the design process for the next-generation Ranger and (by implication) for elements of the eventual replacement for the Amarok.

“Ford Motor Company is assigning new design work to Ford Australia to support global projects as the company continues to drive improvements to its global product development (PD) operations.

“The Australian-based Asia Pacific Product Development Centre will take on additional global PD projects, boosting local expertise in advanced electrical engineering, interior and exterior automotive design and engineering, and feature integration,” Ford said.

According to a CarAdvice report, the changes will result in around 200 job losses Down Under.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/next-gen-ford-ranger-f-series-share-platform-report/

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We took delivery of another one today: 2.2 XLT 4x2 Manual Double Cab to replace my boet's 2015 XLS 3.2 Supercab. Great discounts being offered on Ranger's at the moment, probably due to the new facelift arriving in a few months time.

Over and above my 2017 XLT, his has front PDC, Navigation and a central locking linked tailgate all as standard. I have FOMO for his navigation....

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FlashSA said:
We took delivery of another one today: 2.2 XLT 4x2 Manual Double Cab to replace my boet's 2015 XLS 3.2 Supercab. Great discounts being offered on Ranger's at the moment, probably due to the new facelift arriving in a few months time.

Over and above my 2017 XLT, his has front PDC, Navigation and a central locking linked tailgate all as standard. I have FOMO for his navigation....

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Click to expand...

What does he say about the power & torque drop going from the 3.2 to the 2.2?
 
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