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Video: Putting the “Ford” in The Blue Oval’s new Ranger pickup

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Ford, Australia

water testing the new ford ranger

Fording with the Ford Ranger – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you’re a Ranger fan, the video posted after the jump is going to make you sad. Ford engineers in Australia filmed the new but not-for-U.S.-consumption truck as its water wading capabilities were put to the test. The results were heaps good.

Ford’s new Ranger is available in a Hi-Rider version that’s capable of, ahem, fording through an impressive amount of water. Starting at a depth of two-inches, the engineers kept pushing until they were driving through 31.5 inches of engine-killing fluid. The two-inch deep pool is used to simulate long puddles, and the truck is run through at 19, 31 and 40 miles per hour. When filled to the max, the test area is traversed at a much slower 4 mph.

In order to achieve these results, Ford raised the air intake and alternator to a spot where they stay above the water line. Crucial components that sit lower are water-proofed. Click past the jump to see the testing in action, and be sure to read more about the Ranger in the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Putting the “Ford” in The Blue Oval’s new Ranger pickup

Video: Putting the “Ford” in The Blue Oval’s new Ranger pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak finds open arms around the globe (U.S. not included)

Filed under: Truck, Geneva Motor Show, Ford

Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Ford Ranger Wildtrak – Click above for high-res image gallery

Cinderella was right when they sang “Don’t Know What You’ve Got (‘Til It’s Gone).” The Ford Ranger has left the country only to reappear around the globe, looking pretty darn good in the process. Leading the charge into our now-broken heart is the 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak; a diesel-sipping, off-road ready, gadget-packed pickup truck that’s making out with the rest of the world while all we can do is watch from the sidelines.

The Wildtrak is the newest range-topping trim and it comes crammed full of features. On the outside, the Ranger Wildtrak sports a unique color scheme on its front fascia, 18-inch wheels and a roof rack. Inside, the cabin is fitted with a touch-screen control system that features satellite navigation, Bluetooth, iPod integration and voice recognition.

Under the hood, the 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak is offered with a choice of two diesel engines: A 2.2-liter four-cylinder that produces 277 pound-feet of torque or a 3.2-liter inline-five that generates an impressive 347 lb-ft.

You can stare at it all you want in the gallery below. Just know that heartaches come and go, and all that’s left are the words.

Gallery: Ford Ranger Wildtrak: Geneva 2011

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak finds open arms around the globe (U.S. not included)

Geneva 2011: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak finds open arms around the globe (U.S. not included) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S.-spec Ford Ranger to officially end production in 2011, Ford explains why

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Ford

2011 Ford Ranger

If you live in the States, say goodbye to the Ford Ranger. The oft-neglected baby pickup from the Blue Oval is set to end production at its Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Minnesota next year, thereby kicking Dearborn out of the segment for the first time in nearly 30 years. The rest of the world won’t be without a Ranger, though. Ford is set to pull the sheets back on the newest version of the global truck at the Australian International Motor Show next month, though released this intriguing teaser image in the meantime. It’s bigger, slated for 180 markets spread all over the planet and it ain’t for us. The question is: Why not?

In order to head that quandary off at the pass, Ford wanted to us in on its reasoning behind killing off the Ranger in the U.S. market. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Vice President of Global Product Development, was kind enough to give us a few minutes out of his time to answer that question and more. Get the answers after the jump.

Continue reading U.S.-spec Ford Ranger to officially end production in 2011, Ford explains why

U.S.-spec Ford Ranger to officially end production in 2011, Ford explains why originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Despite meeting with governor, Ford set to close Minnesota Ranger plant

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

2010 Ford Ranger – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to The Detroit News, Ford officials met with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday to discuss the future of the automaker’s St. Paul assembly plant. The facility, which builds Ford’s Ranger compact pickup has been earmarked for closure for some time, but despite the roundtable session, the Blue Oval says it still plans to shutter its operations.

Pawlenty’s administration had been hoping that the signing of a new state law in April allowing the government to offer Ford a series of tax breaks would be enough to keep the Twin Cities operations open, but apparently it wasn’t enough – the plant will close, although an end-date remains uncertain.

Closing the plant will also close the book on the aging Ranger, though Ford has confirmed that the model name will live on with other, larger models in foreign markets. Thus far, rumors of a new North American Ranger (and even an on-air slip by Ford president Alan Mulally) have amounted to nothing, and with Ford committed introducing more economical engines to its F-150 full-size pickup, it appears highly unlikely that a U.S. Ranger will receive an encore any time soon.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Despite meeting with governor, Ford set to close Minnesota Ranger plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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