Ranger Refit After Dud Testing
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 16, 2007
Ford has upgraded safety on its new Ranger ute after the previous model performed poorly in Australian crash tests last year.
The outgoing model, the Courier, scored just two out of five stars in the ANCAP crash tests, compared with four stars for the Toyota Hilux and three for the Holden Rodeo.The Ranger will be the first imported ute with side airbags. Ford and Holden have them on their passenger car-based Falcon and Commodore utes.The utes are in showrooms now but the side airbags on XLT models won't be available until after April. They are a no-cost option on the range-topping four-wheel-drive XLT models and form part of a $1200 safety package (which includes anti-lock brakes, power windows, upgraded trim and central locking) on three rear-drive models and five other four-wheel-drive models. The safety pack is available now.Driver and passenger front airbags are now standard across the range.The new Ranger models also have three-point safety belts with pre-tensioners for front passengers. However, anti-lock brakes are not standard across the range and the centre rear seat has only a lap belt.Ford claims the new model has a reinforced body frame that "directs crash forces through the strengthened frame and away from vehicle occupants". Protective beams in the doors and deeper door panels are claimed to provide better protection in side crashes.The Ranger may have had a name change but it is not an all-new generation model - rather, it is a substantial mid-life facelift. Prices range from $20,990 for the single cab-chassis XL model with a five-speed manual to $47,990 for the Crew Cab XLT model with a five-speed automatic.Ford also says the new ute has a quieter cabin and improved ride and handling.As with Mazda, whose BT-50 utility shares the underpinnings of the Ranger, Ford has chosen to dump its petrol engines in favour of more powerful and economical diesel options.The new line-up has two four-cylinder diesel engines - 2.5-litre (105kW) and 3.0-litre (115kW).The 2.5-litre has 22 per cent more torque and is 14.4 per cent more fuel efficient than the engine it replaces. The 3.0 engine (with manual transmission) is 8.9 per cent more efficient than the previous 2.5.There are two transmissions - five-speed manual and five-speed automatic, a $2000 option that is available on selected models and with the 3.0-litre engine.Combined with the manual transmission, the 3.0-litre models can tow three tonnes.The Ranger is available in single cab, super cab and crew cab body styles and has two equipment levels - XL and XLT.Anti-lock brakes are standard on XLT models and a $900 option on single-cab models or as part of the $1200 safety pack.Thai-built utilities are becoming increasingly popular in Australia. The Toyota Hilux and the Nissan Navara were in the top 10 selling cars last month, selling 2781 and 1874 examples respectively. The Mitsubishi Triton and Holden Rodeo are also selling well, in contrast to the Commodore and Falcon utilities.Despite good clearance deals, Commodore ute sales slumped by 44.9 per cent last month compared to January 2006, while the number of Falcon utes sold fell by 16 per cent.
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald