Mixing Work With Pleasure - Ford Announces New Ranger

Cork, 27th September 2002 – Ford Ireland has announced the extension of its line-up for 2003 with the introduction of the Ford Ranger pick-up. The four-wheel drive Ranger is designed as a versatile, dual-purpose vehicle that can be used with confidence and pride for both work and leisure. Its design cues provide a visual link to the chunky Ford F-Series, the best-selling vehicle in the United States.

The Ranger is available in a number of body styles to cater for the diverse needs of buyers in the pick-up segment. The 2-door regular cab, suitable for 2 persons, is complemented by the double cab and super cab versions, both with 4 doors and space for 4 and 5 occupants respectively. All versions are powered by a 2.5 litre turbocharged intercooler diesel engine, delivering 109PS.

The Ranger’s chrome grille and bumper give it a bold, muscular look, while the high line bonnet lends a powerful stance. The pillarless 4-door super cab XLT offers class-leading ease of access to and from the rear, either for passengers, or, with the rear seats folded up, for storage of tools and goods.

The 4x4 transmission has three modes – rear wheel drive for normal road conditions, ‘4x4 high ratio’ for adverse on- and off-road and ‘4x4 low ratio’ for extreme off-road conditions. The standard Electronic Remote Free Wheel (RFW) hubs facilitate changing between 4 and 2 wheel drive at any speed.

The Ranger’s interior package is class-leading, with the most spacious passenger accommodation in its segment. Front seats benefit from the increased profile of the seat back and side bolsters, incorporating firm foam to improve lateral support, with added padding to the surface of the seat back. The fabric is hard-wearing but comfortable and stylish. Tinted glass is standard, and remote central locking is available on the double and super cab. An anti-theft alarm, CD player, chrome mirrors and door handles and smart six-spoke alloy wheels complete the specification on the double cab XLT model.

Load box dimensions for the regular and double cabs are also best-in-class. This enables customers to keep dirty, wet or cumbersome loads separate from the passenger cabin, preserving the car-like appearance of the interior. Gross payloads for the double cab (1,135kg) and super cab (1,210kg) are likewise in excess of competitors. Towing capacity is such that the Ranger can easily handle a double horsebox with two horses.

Safety levels are high on the Ranger, with the high driving position and large mirrors and glass area making for excellent all-round visibility. Standard features include driver and passenger airbags, anti-submarine seats, collapsible steering column, safety belt grabbers to minimise slack on impact, and childproof rear door locks on the double cab. Four-wheel ABS is standard. The Ranger is fitted with a high-strength fuel tank guard to protect the tank from damage in a collision or when travelling off-road.

‘The popularity of these pick-up models has burgeoned in recent years in Ireland,’ comments Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland. ‘A major attraction is their exemption from VRT, but additionally their rugged, butch styling finds favour with the buyer looking to blend work with pleasure.’

‘The Ranger has proven itself as one of the best-sellers in Europe in this niche. We look to the double cab XLT in particular to make a strong impression on a growing segment in Ireland.’