Mighty Morphing Power Ranger

BANGKOK, THAILAND – The thunderstorm hasn’t stopped for over an hour now and the canals by the tight streets are starting to overflow. Though the view from the hotel window is of an unfamiliar landscape, the atmosphere is vaguely familiar. Horrendous traffic, reckless taxi drivers and flash floods are regular occurrences here in the “Land of Smiles” – just like downtown Quiapo. Taking in the scenery alone is a perfect reminder of how people always seek the familiarity in the unfamiliar and why, despite the cultural differences, everybody belongs to the same small world.

Philosophical as it may sound, it’s this very sort of thinking that governs the globalized world today. It’s funny or interesting (depending on your view), how people have similar tastes despite the so-called religious, cultural or whatnot barrier. The global success of products such as Apple’s iPhone is a perfect example. Who would have guessed that everyone will gesture and tap their way through text messages via a device designed in California for the American market. The universality of these products has intrepidly led Ford to completely re-think its strategy. Instead of designing products which are specific to one particular region, they’ve gathered the best people with the best ideas and pooled them into one group. Now, they’re designing and engineering globally competitive products led by the Fiesta and now, joined by the all-new Ranger.

Toughened Looks, Global Platform

It’s not everyday Ford engineers get to work on an all-new platform; after all, platforms, particularly the ones found underpinning pick-ups, are designed to last several product cycles. However, when it was time for a change, Ford made the most out of it. Designed and developed in Australia, Ford made sure it’s tough and robust yet comfortable and safe to satisfy customers’ demands in more than 180 markets in which the new Ranger will be sold in. The all-new platform finally consolidates and replaces the currently two-platform set-up.

With the world-class structure in place, Ford set about to design an all-new look dubbed as “21st Century Tough”. There’s no “kinetic design” here or swoopy lines there; the Ford Ranger is pure muscle. According to chief designer Craig Metros, the Ranger is inspired by modern power tools which are utilitarian, yet beautiful in their simplicity. There are no wasted lines on the Ranger as every crease; every body line is purposefully taut and dynamic. Upfront, the Ranger’s face is dominated by the signature three-bar grille, a Ford design cue which is in itself, a nod back to the 1950’s F-100 pick-up truck.

There are also some interesting engineering challenges taken up in the design of the Ranger such as the stamped-in wheel lips. This cue alone ensures that there will be an integrated look across the entire range from the low-riding 4x2 to the extreme Wildtrak 4x4 model. And with an overall measurement of 5,359 mm in length and 1,850 mm in width, the Ranger has the beefy size to match.

Tech Laden Cabin, Superior Space

The engineering savings brought about by switching to a single, global platform has enabled Ford to put much more content into the Ranger’s interior, some of which are industry-firsts in the pick-up segment.

Inspired by a Casio G-Shock wrist watch, the Ranger’s interior is filled with bold, chunky and angular surfaces that lend an almost industrial feel. Peel the tough skin however, and the Ranger manages to have car-like levels of sophistication. Poised to be a leader in innovation, the Ranger will be made available with cutting-edge technology such as Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity. Electronic dual-zone climate control and cruise control will be made available on the highest-end models and like the Fiesta, the Ranger will also feature voice command for its entertainment, climate control and mobile phone functions.

By moving the B-pillar in the Double Cab model forward, the Ranger also delivers the best-in-class rear legroom and knee clearance. Making full use of the spacious interior, the Ranger offers 23 storage spaces for different knick-knacks including an 8.5-liter center console (enough to fit a six-pack), a glove box that can accommodate a 16-inch laptop and door pockets that can swallow 1.5-liter water bottles. There’s even an under floor storage area beneath the rear seats.

Earth Moving Engines and Powertrains

Ford has always been known as the “king of torque” in the pick-up market ever since the first Ranger made its debut. The new one’s no different with two new diesel engines and one petrol engine that’s designed to suit every purpose: a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder Duratorq TDCi engine with 150 PS and 375 Nm of torque; a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder Duratorq TDCi engine with 200 PS and 470 Nm of torque; and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Duratec engine with 166 PS and 226 Nm of torque. Beyond delivering earth-shattering power figures, these engines also boast exceptional fuel mileage figures (13.15 km/L on the 2.2 TDCi and 10.41 km/L on the 3.2 TDCi). Combined with an 80-liter tank, it translates to a range of more than 1,000 kilometers between fill-ups on some models.

Fitted to these superior engines are equally sophisticated transmissions. Six-speed transmissions are still rare in any segment, even more so for the pick-up market. And yet, the Ranger comes fitted with one – and it’s an automatic, no less. Extensively tuned to deliver smooth, quick shifts across the power range, it easily emphasizes the Ranger’s car-like refinement. In addition, the six-speed automatic features Sequential Shift Control that gives manual control, again a unique feature in the segment. If you prefer to swap gears yourself, the Ranger is also available with a six-speed manual.

Uncompromising in Ride,Handling and Safety

Knowing the amount of punishment some owners subject their pick-ups to, the Ranger’s all-new platform incorporates a much more rigid frame (up 30 percent from the current model) and is fitted with an all-new suspension and steering system to deliver car-like levels of comfort while offering more precise handling and better on-road stability.

The all-new platform also enabled Ford engineers to package the driveline and electrical components better delivering a ground clearance of 241 mm and class-leading water wading depth of 800 mm. This is done by moving the driveline components above the frame frail, where items such as the transfer case and oil pan are now protected by the strong crossmembers; while key electrical components and even the air inlets are positioned strategically high in the engine compartment to protect them from being waterlogged.

Typical of a pick-up, some Ford Ranger models come with a part-time four-wheel drive transfer case. Unlike before though, the new model features an electronically controlled transfer case. This allows drivers to shift from 4x2 to 4x4 models anytime via a knob on the center console. And for the diehard off-roaders out there, good news will come in the form of an available locking rear differential or limited slip rear differential to further improve traction. Coupled with the Hill Launch Assist feature, a fully-laden Ranger is able to stop and then pull away on a 60% grade – something that cannot be easily achieved by all trucks.

Designed to meet the most stringent of crash safety requirements, the Ford Ranger incorporates high-strength steel throughout its body structure. It also pays attention to pedestrian protection and safety by incorporating a “hexageneous” under-bonnet structure that reduces the potential for pedestrian head injuries. In addition, it comes with an impressive array of both active and passive safety technology. Some Ranger models will be fitted with up to six airbags as well as anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and ESP or Electric Stability Program that incorporates Trailer Sway Control.

Whether or not the all-new Ford Ranger will be as successful as Apple’s gesture smartphone remains to be seen as it will be sold starting late this year (early next year in the Philippine market). However, it must be said that under the One Ford strategy, the Ranger is designed to meet and exceed customer’s expectations anywhere it will be sold in. This global mind meld approach enables Ford to pool the best minds and talents they have to product truly outstanding products.

Gary Boes, Ford’s vehicle line director for the compact truck platform says it best: “The Ford Ranger is unique in that it delivers all that’s expected of a truck and more without forcing a trade-off on the customer. At the end of the day, the customer not only gets class-leading towing, payload and water-wading capabilities but also superior fuel economy, cabin refinement and the latest technogies.”

“The all-new Ranger is in a league of its own,” he added. ‘Nuff said.