Muscle and Power – All new Ford Ranger

Ford has taken a huge leap forward with the all-new Ranger. It’s bigger and beefier — much more American- looking — than the earlier models, and is equipped with a new 2.5-litre common rail TDCi engine under the (hood ~ bonnet}. Ford Ranger is offered in 3 distinct specifications — Regular, Super and Double Cab — and all bar the latter have a choice of two- or four-wheel drive. The Double Cab can only be had with 4WD and there’s a Tipper version of the Regular Cab 4×4.

Regardless of version, the engine is the same and produces maximum output of 143horse power , but more outstandingly it is capable of developing top torque of 330Nm at 1,800rpm. It is smooth and responsive, and is well isolated from the cab.

Servicing is needed every 12,500 miles. The steering is power assisted, of course, and all Rangers have Advance Braking System as standard. Regular Cab is Ford-speak for Single Cab (two doors, two seats), Super Cab has two full size doors and two rear-hinged half doors (occasional rear seating for two) and Double Cab is a full blown four-door with space for 5 . Load bed width and height are the same for all derivatives — 1,456mm and 457mm — but length varies. It is 2,280mm for the Regular, 1,753mm for Super and 1,530mm on the Double. Gross payload varies from 1,175kg (DC) to 1,235kg for the Regular 4×4. The cabin is very car-like with a perfect driving position and sufficient storage facilities, but the handbrake lever is an ergonomic failure; it sticks out of the facia rather than being in between the seats where it should be.

CONCLUSION

The aggressive face styling may not be to everyone’s flavor , but the engine is a cracker, performing well beyond its on-paper specification.

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