If you're looking to do some hot-weather testing for your latest prototype there is probably no better place for it than in Death Valley.
Here's a set of spy photos of two right-hand drive Ford Ranger prototypes wearing Michigan plates getting their legs in the American desert. The trucks are still under heavy camo but we can see that both are double-cab variants, something the current U.S. market Ranger doesn't offer.
The next-generation Ford Ranger will be built on a global platform called the T6 that is currently being designed in Australia, whereas Ford Rangers around the world right now share only the name. For North America, the next Ranger will likely be a little bigger too.
Power plants available will be Ford's latest EcoBoost 1.6 liter engine (direct-injection and turbocharged) tuned to 175 bhp (129 kW) and 244 Nm (180 lb-ft) of torque. For diesel-friendly markets Ford will also likely offer a 3.0 liter TDCi which will provide for a lot more torque.
The next-generation Ford Ranger is expected to debut next year as a 2012 model.
