Press Release
Page 1: Mondeo Concept
Page 2: Coupe-Cabriolet / S-Max
Page 3: Galaxy / FlexiFuel
Page 4: Ranger / RS WRC
ALL-NEW FORD RANGER: MORE POWER, DURABILITY AND STYLE
- Tough and modern exterior design
- Improved driving quality
- Increased loading and towing capacity
- More durability and more comfort
- More power with all-new 2.5-litre 143PS common-rail diesel engine.
- All-new interior
The all-new Ford Ranger promises to deliver more style, more practicality, more durability and more comfort. New Ranger features a tough and modern exterior design, a completely redesigned interior, increased loading and towing capacity, and an all-new common-rail diesel engine.
Phil Collareno, Commercial Vehicle Line Director, Product Development, Ford of Europe, said: "New Ranger is a very stylish yet durable vehicle. It really deserves its 'tough truck' label, and now offers even higher levels of comfort and practicality. Ranger is a rugged and professional vehicle, combining style and fun with a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done ??????????????????????????????????????? just like its customers."
New Tough Exterior
Immediately noticeable is the imposing new bonnet and large wide grille opening which dominate the front, while prominent wheel arches help protect the bodywork and emphasize the Ranger's tough look.
The split front bumper and integrated fog lamps are designed to be protected during off-road driving, while the clean look of the front is emphasized by new clear lens reflector headlamps with jewel-like details. Other exterior details include new grip surfaces for the door handles that make them easier to open.
For those customers looking for the ultimate Ranger, the popular 'Thunder' package is available for the new model, offering a bright tubular sports bar, chrome side sill bar and rear chrome underbar which complement the Ranger's already sporty and tough look. Moving inside, buyers of the Thunder package can enjoy the comfort of leather seats.
The purposeful profile of the new Ranger is set off by attractive new 16-inch alloy wheels on 245/70R16 tyres (15-inch on some models). The new wheel/tyre combinations also provide better grip in all road conditions.
New Stylish Interior
The interior of the new Ranger has been completely redesigned. The seats boast a new sculpted seatback, wider shoulders, improved bolster and larger headrest. The fascia now features an information centre to include the driver's most important items. The angular centre stack is finished in an attractive shade of silver, and bright silver chrome detailing continues into the instrument cluster, ventilator grilles, gearshift, window switches and inner door handle.
There are numerous stowage areas in the new Ranger, including an industry-first instrument panel pull-out tray to keep paperwork in place. Additionally, a two-bin centre console has the capacity for storing up to ten CDs, two mobile phones and a variety of other items. All new Rangers feature an integrated radio with an in-dash CD player and MP3 compatibility; an in-dash six CD player and additional speakers is also available.
New Engine
The new Ford Ranger is equipped with an all-new 2.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine that features a new common-rail fuel injection system. The engine provides increased power (143PS) and torque (330 Nm at 1,800 rpm) as well as improved fuel economy.
The higher levels of refinement of the new TDCi engine deliver a significantly quieter cabin. A Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) is employed to provide an earlier and broader torque delivery as well as reduced turbo lag. The transmission is the proven Durashift 5-speed manual transmission.
Increased Load Area and Towing Capacity
For new Ranger, the pick-up box side wall height has been increased by 60mm to provide class leading storage capacity. In addition, cargo tie-downs have been moved to a lower position to give greater load security and an innovative new shelving facility has been built into the load area. Ranger is capable of carrying a one tonne payload and it has a substantial three tonne towing capacity.
Improved Ride and Handling
True to Ford's passion for driving quality, the new Ranger has significantly improved driveability. To deliver improved ride quality, Ranger gets a larger suspension upper control arm and spring bushing, larger wheels and all-terrain tyres, a larger diameter shock absorber, and increased leaf spring length to optimise ride quality. There is also a new rear stabiliser, and an improved hydraulic braking system. The new Ranger provides safe and precise handling both laden and unladen thanks to its clever use of progressive damping and carefully tuned spring rates.
Vehicle approach and departure angles have been designed tackle the steepest of climbs, while electronic 'shift on-the-fly' allows for easy and quick 4x4 engagement when required. Combined with an extremely tractable engine offering high levels of available torque, the all-new Ranger is a true off-roader which is both rugged and capable in the harshest of environments.
Reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness
A key area of improvement is Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH). Immediately noticeable are the improved NVH characteristics of the new Ranger, and these have been achieved in a number of ways. The engine is quieter due to a new cooling fan system and very precise fuel injection patterns which are controlled by the advanced computer-managed high pressure common-rail system.
Idle vibration is reduced thanks to stiffer engine and body mounts and a stronger chassis frame. A new door seal system, carpet and panel insulations also help reduce engine and road noise.
Safety
As more and more customers use their Ranger for day-to-day and family transportation, Ford's no-compromise approach to safety ensures that all occupants are equally protected. The new Ranger is equipped with standard front airbags for driver and passenger, plus optional side impacts airbags for the front seats. Seatbelts are equipped with pre-tensioners to ensure maximum passenger protection in an accident. Child seat anchors are also available. Four wheel anti-lock braking is standard across the Ranger model range, helping to avoid a collision even when towing at full Gross Train Weight.
Extensive Tough Testing
The new Ranger has undergone one of the toughest testing regimes ever undertaken for a vehicle of this type. Proving grounds in Arizona, Japan, Australia, and South Africa were used, in temperatures ranging from -25 to 57 degrees Celsius.
Early production vehicles were put through their paces through mountain ranges in Northern Thailand and Laos, the Himalayas in Nepal, the jungles of Borneo, across the Australian Outback, through Kruger National Park in South Africa and across the searing deserts of the United Arab Emirates.
NEW FOCUS RS WRC LIFTS FORD'S RALLY PROGRAMME TO NEW HEIGHTS
- With success in Finland, the all-new Focus RS World Rally Car claims four victories so far in its first year of competition
- Ford enjoys most successful World Rally Championship season since 1993
- Ford notches up half century of world rally wins
- 2006 success is "beyond what we had hoped for this season" says Ford TeamRS
Remarkably in a season marked out as a development year for the stunning new Focus RS WRC, four wins from Flying Finns Marcus Gr??????????????????nholm and Timo Rautiainen and a string of podium finishes for them and team-mates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen have put Ford in with a great chance of winning the manufacturers' title.
The priority for the first season of a three-year programme with the new car was to develop its speed and reliability over the 16-round WRC in readiness for a full championship challenge in 2007.
However, Gr??????????????????nholm astonished the sport by winning the opening round of the season, the famous Monte Carlo Rally, on his debut in the car. He then won the second round over ice-bound roads in Sweden - Ford's 50th WRC triumph.
The opening half of the season ended with a third win, on the rock-strewn roads of the Acropolis Rally in Greece. Gr??????????????????nholm then won his home event in Finland, the fastest of the championship, for the sixth time in seven years.
The rally car was developed and built by M-Sport, the British-based team which operates Ford's rallying programmes, together with Ford TeamRS. It is based on the Focus ST road car, a vehicle which is highly successful in its own right since its launch late last year.
"We have a strong and experienced team operating from world class facilities at M-Sport's Dovenby Hall," said Ford TeamRS director Jost Capito. "We have a fantastic driver line-up in Marcus Gr??????????????????nholm and Mikko Hirvonen, blending one of rallying's great drivers with one of the sport's up-and-coming stars. And, of course, we have the car that is winning rallies and one that we fervently believe will power Ford to further successes in the future.
"Our success already is beyond what we had hoped for this season. But the crucial fact is that apart from winning rallies, we are developing the car and laying a solid platform for a world championship challenge in 2007 and 2008," added Capito.
