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Motor Trend's spies got a shot here of the all-new Ford Ranger debuting next year, for the 2019 model year. Ford dropped the previous Ranger, several years ago, from the American truck market, due to dwindling sales amid customer perception that the larger F-150 was a lot more truck for only slightly more money. However, the success of the GM's new Colorado/Canyon twins and the ever-popular Toyota Tacoma shows that perhaps there is still a market in the U.S. for smaller trucks, if they are priced right. One clue to the success of the Colorado/Canyon, of course, have been their size....almost as large as the Silverado itself. The outline of this ranger shot shows that it is going to also be a fairly good size.....definitely larger than the last version was.
(Click on the attached web-site for the best images)
Earlier this year, Ford confirmed plans to bring the midsize Ranger back to the U.S. alongside a new Bronco. Currently, it’s expected to arrive as a 2019 model and be a true body-on-frame truck. But while a lot of details are still up in the air, based on our latest spy shots, it looks like Ford is already working on a Raptor-like off-road version of its upcoming midsize pickup.
As you can see, this camouflaged Ranger has a lot more than a lift kit on it. According to our photographer, the front end is more aggressively styled, and the fenders wider than he’s seen on previous prototypes. You can also clearly see that it’s riding on 285/70 R17 BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA tires, which are pretty close to what you get on the Wrangler Rubicon.
In what may be a first, this prototype also had camouflage under the body to hide the suspension. So even though we were able to get a few shots underneath the truck, there isn’t actually much to see. Then again, the fact that the testers would go to that kind of trouble suggests that it may be hiding Ford’s answer to the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2‘s trick suspension.
And speaking of the Colorado, this prototype reportedly had a diesel engine, potentially setting it up as a direct competitor for the ZR2 and its 2.8-liter turbodiesel. Assuming Ford is taking aim at Chevrolet, the off-road-ready Ranger will probably also offer a gas option. Our guess is that it will be the 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 found in the F-150. Even with the same tune, the 2.7’s 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque already beats the ZR2’s 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine with its 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
There’s also the question of what Ford will call this new truck. Ranger FX4? Ranger Raptor? Rangetor? The Lone Ranger? The Tyrannotitan? With the new Bronco making a comeback, as well, it might make sense for Ford to create a Raptor sub-brand. Then again, maybe that name is better left alone. Either way, we can’t wait for our shot behind the wheel.
Good maybe Toyota will finally put effort into making an incredible truck again. Not a warmed over last gen and called it all new with a mediocre powertrain. I'm sure Toyota still remembers the Ranger as the truck that toppled them in sales and most likely will be the case once it come back.
Good maybe Toyota will finally put effort into making an incredible truck again. Not a warmed over last gen and called it all new with a mediocre powertrain. I'm sure Toyota still remembers the Ranger as the truck that toppled them in sales and most likely will be the case once it come back.
Toyota don't give a crap about sales leadership, as long as the Tacoma sells at a premium and moves enough units at that premium price.
Our family has owned a bunch of those sparsely/weirdly equipped "loss leader" trucks. First one was a tan paint 1985 X-tra cab, 2wd. Had such options as A/C, cloth bench seat that reclined with arm rest, hose out rubber floors, 5 speed manual, 22R carburated 4 cylinder, no power steering. Dad drove that to over 200k miles while he was going back to school in the mid 90's to get a 2nd degree in turf grass management.
2nd weirdly equipped truck was his 1988 Toyota truck, it was a regular cab "delux" model, 22R carburated/5 speed manual, carpeted floors, one piece bench seat covered in nice cloth, a/c, power steering, power brakes, bright blue sparkle paint, had that silly/awesome factory stripe all down the door/side. He drove that from 1999 to about 2003, put a bunch of trouble free miles on it.
3rd truck was a 2004 Tacoma, 2wd, reg cab, 5 speed, 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. It had options such as carpeted floor mats, A/C, styled steel wheels, maybe a tape player. 183,000 miles later this is my daily driver. This was a screaming deal in 2004, I think dad paid $12,000 for this truck, yet its worth around $6000 today, which is insane resale value IMO.
Toyota don't give a crap about sales leadership, as long as the Tacoma sells at a premium and moves enough units at that premium price.
Our family has owned a bunch of those sparsely/weirdly equipped "loss leader" trucks. First one was a tan paint 1985 X-tra cab, 2wd. Had such options as A/C, cloth bench seat that reclined with arm rest, hose out rubber floors, 5 speed manual, 22R carburated 4 cylinder, no power steering. Dad drove that to over 200k miles while he was going back to school in the mid 90's to get a 2nd degree in turf grass management.
2nd weirdly equipped truck was his 1988 Toyota truck, it was a regular cab "delux" model, 22R carburated/5 speed manual, carpeted floors, one piece bench seat covered in nice cloth, a/c, power steering, power brakes, bright blue sparkle paint, had that silly/awesome factory stripe all down the door/side. He drove that from 1999 to about 2003, put a bunch of trouble free miles on it.
3rd truck was a 2004 Tacoma, 2wd, reg cab, 5 speed, 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. It had options such as carpeted floor mats, A/C, styled steel wheels, maybe a tape player. 183,000 miles later this is my daily driver. This was a screaming deal in 2004, I think dad paid $12,000 for this truck, yet its worth around $6000 today, which is insane resale value IMO.
Of course they care about sales leadership. Why redesign anything if they dont care or why even bother being in the car business? While that may not be their stated focus, but it matters a whole lot. And no, no sane company will use a mass produced product as a loss leader. I understand something like the LFA or Supra or LC being loss leaders since they are low volume. If sales and profit didnt matter, Scion will still be around.
it's exciting to know it's out there and that the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Toyota TacomaTRD Pro have some competition on the horizon.
From the fat fenders to the upgraded suspension, the Ranger Raptor looks just like a small-scale F-150 Raptor. That's exactly what most of us were hoping for. Up front, the Ranger Raptor swipes the F-150's grille, replacing the blue oval with "Ford" in big block letters. The steel front bumper adds LED lighting and new aerodynamic air curtains. There are a pair of tow hooks and a bash plate just underneath the nose.
The fenders are significantly wider. Just look at the extra sheetmetal on the edges of the headlights. The fenders provide the extra width needed to fit the long-travel suspension and wider wheels and tires. The truck is 67.3 inches wide at the front and rear tracks. The new bumpers and 11.1 inches of ground clearance give the truck an approach angle of 32.5 degrees, ramp-over angle of 24 degrees and a departure angle of 24 degrees.
Out back, the altered rear bumper now has a pair of tow hooks. The sensors and tow connectors have been changed, too. While the Ranger Raptor is wider overall, it doesn't seem like the bed's interior dimensions have been increased. There are Raptor logos on the rear fender and the tailgate.
Changes to the interior are much more subtle. The steering wheel has a stripe in the middle to denote the top position. The seats have a faux suede finish as well as modified bolsters and seat backs in order to improve comfort.
The truck's big changes come underneath the skin. The chassis, brakes and suspension have all been beefed up to better tackle rough terrain. Ford specifically says the truck is meant to "travel at high speeds off road," words we're quite happy to hear. The solid rear axle is suspended using coilovers and a Watts link setup. It provides vertical movement with very little lateral shifting. The geometry has also been changed to fit the new suspension.
The front and rear dampers are both provided by Fox Racing Shox with 46.6mm pistons both front and rear. We're curious how these compare in the real world to the Colorado ZR2's fantastic spool-valve setup. The trucks upper and lower control arms are both made from aluminum. The front and rear brakes have both increased in size. They're supported by new 17-inch wheels and a set of knobby BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tires.
Under the hood rests a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel inline-four. It's mated to Ford's new 10-speed automatic, likely the same one that's found in the F-150 and the U.S. version of the Ranger. It makes 210 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, more than the Colorado 2.8-liter diesel's 169 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Power hasn't been announced for the the U.S. Ranger's 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four, but expect that gasoline engine to make more horsepower but significantly less torque.
The American car interior could be the main reason I never thought about getting a American car...
So just what do you mean by that term? American-badged vehicles have a lot of different interiors..it's difficult to lump them altogether. And, of course, with today's truly global auto industry, the terms "American", European", "Japanese" and "Korean" generally mean little. That's why, by law, you have parts-content stickers on new cars, with countries-of-origin for major components such as engine and transmission.
Anyhow, as far as I'm concerned, here is a so-called "American" interior that is difficult to fault....the Lincoln Continental. The new Navigator's is also very impressive.
Anyhow, back to the Raptor. I'm not quite sure I understand the reasoning behind marking the top-center of the steering wheel with a red stripe. That position should be obvious from the wheel's spokes.
The steering wheel has a stripe in the middle to denote the top position.
08-12-17, 05:54 PM
Ford Ranger Thread
American-badged vehicles have a lot of different interiors..it's difficult to lump them altogether. And, of course, with today's truly global auto industry, the terms "American", European", "Japanese" and "Korean" generally mean little. That's why, by law, you have parts-content stickers on new cars, with countries-of-origin for major components such as engine and transmission.
