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E L E C T R I C A L CO N N E C T I O N

W I N T E R 2 0 15

1 0 5

F

ord is preparing to release a heavily upgraded Ranger

utility, keeping the Australian-developed, Thai-built

workhorse fresh in the face of new-release opponents

including fully redesigned versions of the Mitsubishi Triton and

Nissan Navara.

The Blue Oval brand has set out to toughen up the exterior

design of the new Ranger, dubbed PX Series II, while

introducing extra cabin creature comforts and highly advanced

infotainment and safety technology.

Full Australian details were still to be released at the time

of writing, but some of the high-grade features introduced

to the ute include the ‘Sync2’ multimedia system, adaptive

cruise control, lane-departure warning, tyre pressure

monitoring, a fatigue-busting ‘driver impairment monitor’

and a reversing camera working in conjunction with front and

rear parking sensors.

The two Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel engines currently in

service – a 2.2L four-cylinder and 3.2L five-cylinder unit – have

received upgrades designed to boost fuel efficiency by up to

22%, depending on the variant.

These include the addition of an automatic engine idle-stop

system on both engines, an updated exhaust gas recirculation

system on the 3.2L unit and the introduction of electric power-

assisted steering. The latter is said to benefit low-speed

manoeuvring and high-speed precision as well as economy.

The mechanical changes are also claimed to improve noise,

vibration and harshness (NVH) levels – the elimination of a

power steering pump used in a conventional hydraulically

powered system has reduced noise, for example – and together

with extra sound-deadening materials, improved insulation

and revised suspension tuning for improved ride comfort and

handling, Ford says the light truck’s refinement and dynamic

performance are better than ever.

The Australian designers have reworked the dashboard,

aiming for a more “comfortable, contemporary and car-like

environment” complete with a new central 8” touch screen,

dual-TFT instrument cluster and a 240V power socket.

The 3.2L engine continues to produce 147kW of power

and 470Nm of torque, while the 2.2L unit now develops

118kW/385Nm (up 8kW/10Nm). Both drive either the rear

or all four wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic

transmission.

The 122kW/225Nm 2.5L Duratec petrol, paired only with a

five-speed manual, carries over largely unchanged.

Ford

www.ford.com.au

FORD RANGER