Ranger: Built Ford Tough... with stripes
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While we wait for the F-150 SVT Raptor to be unveiled, Ford is offering European customers a sporty truck of its own: a Ranger with stripes! Although some media are labeling this the Le Mans edition, Ford's own release (which you can see after the jump) doesn't mention the name of the race anywhere. Nor should it, because a compact truck has about as little to do with endurance sports-car racing as a lampshade, except maybe if you're trying chart your own path out of town when the 24 hours are up and the roads are closed.
We use the term "iconic" a lot here, but the Performance Blue with twin white stripes running up the hood, over the roof and down the tail has become an icon for Ford performance vehicles, particularly on the other side of the pond. And that's pretty much all that sets this special edition Ranger Wildtrack apart from the standard production version, aside from some optional equipment – like ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, air-con and an off-road data pack – bundled in as standard. However, the stripy Ranger will only be offered in limited numbers, so European customers had better either act quick or get out the whitewash and paint roller.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD RANGER WILDTRAK AVAILABLE IN SPORTY 'PERFORMANCE BLUE' WITH GT STRIPES
Birmingham, April 15, 2008 – Ford of Europe is adding to its portfolio of sporty commercial vehicles by offering a limited number of Ranger Wildtrak models in signature Ford Performance Blue with white 'GT' stripes.
Performance Blue has become an established Ford colour with sporty connotations within the company's European passenger car portfolio and is now available on the SportKa, Focus ST and Fiesta ST performance models as well as the Fiesta Sport, Transit Sport and new Transit Connect Sport.
"The Wildtrak is our range-topping model within the Ranger series and Performance Blue is a great colour for this vehicle," explained Henrik Nenzen, Director Commercial Vehicles, Marketing, Sales & Service. "Performance Blue has become a signature Ford colour and a popular choice on Ford's passenger cars all over Europe, as well as more recently injecting added vibrancy and emotion to our medium-sized commercial range."
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a highly specified model with ABS and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), air conditioning, heated front seats and an off-road information centre as standard equipment. The powerful 3.0-litre
Duratorq TDCi 156 PS engine – paired with a five-speed manual transmission – was launched last spring and is standard on Ranger Wildtrak. This powertrain completes the package on this very capable, stylish, and dependable pick-up.
The prominent Ford GT-style white stripes extend across the bonnet, over the cab roof and continue down the rear and are a standard feature of the Ranger Wildtrak when specified in Performance Blue.
"The Ranger Wildtrak in Performance Blue is available in limited numbers only across Europe, so customers are advised to place their orders with their Ford dealer early to avoid disappointment," added Nenzen.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joe 4:07PM (4/15/2008)
Whatever you do Ford, don't send that thing over here... That's the last thing our market needs, a competant, affordable, competitive, compact p/u...
All sarcasm intended...
"Hangs head in shame for posting yet another comment about euro Ford & GM cars that we don't get in the states..."
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jstand6 4:41PM (4/15/2008)
This is a Ford-badged version of Mazda's BT-50 pickup sold all over the world except here. It is bigger than our North American Ranger, but smaller than the current Nissan Frontier. Personally, I find the Mazda version better looking than the Ford. I do wish they sold them here, to replace the aging Ranger/B-Series. Or at least bring it here just under the Mazda name! Here are some pics of the Mazda version:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2006/112_news061121_mazda_bt_50
Michael 4:08PM (4/15/2008)
is that a Ford Forester or a Subaranger?
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Randy 7:33PM (4/15/2008)
I don't see it! And I'm the first one to call out a copy cat.
DomManganelli 4:11PM (4/15/2008)
not "widetrack"... still flips
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BEWARE! 4:18PM (4/15/2008)
Looks gayish
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Red Star 4:21PM (4/15/2008)
This truck would be a big hit in the States.
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Taylor 4:38PM (4/15/2008)
Are you serious? It's called the Sport Trac.
Red Star 4:43PM (4/15/2008)
Sport Trac is not a working truck.
94 taurus owner 2:18PM (4/16/2008)
Agreed. the sport track is more suv than truck.
Ford even listed as a suv on the website.
A.N.E. 4:22PM (4/15/2008)
Balky's Voice: Ridiculous
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tanooki2003 2:06PM (4/16/2008)
That's actually "Don be ridiculous"
TriShield 4:29PM (4/15/2008)
Most of Ford's foreign products from Europe to Australia offer retro-Mustang/Ford GT stripes already and have for years. It really isn't anything new.
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mastersmite 4:31PM (4/15/2008)
what the heck did they do to a Subaru Baja?
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Dan 4:41PM (4/15/2008)
Wouldn't meet US emissions standards. Probably wouldn't meet US crash standards either - that's why we've never gotten the crew cab Ranger sold all over the rest of the world.
Put in another 400 pounds of frame reinforcements and crumple zones for the larger cab to hold up, swap in a gas engine that does meet standards, and you'd have a slow, heavy truck that gets poor mileage - exactly like the other once small trucks designed to the same standards.
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sfast 11:17PM (4/15/2008)
We do have a four door Ranger, it is call the sporttrack. Just because they called the first US Ranger 4 door the exploer sport track did not hide the fact that is was just a funky looking Ranger with extra doors.
bamboo 4:53PM (4/15/2008)
Just took my 2001 Ranger to the dealer this morning to finally get the crusie control recall taken care of (they finally have parts in as of Fri.).
I would trade in my Ranger for a new one of those in the pic the day they went on sale. Looks so much better than mine. I am really considering getting a Toyota Tacoma 4 door soon, but that looks just as good.
First thing I would do though is find out if I could order one without the white stripes.
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Menice 5:02PM (4/15/2008)
agh... again with the stripes Ford.
shiizzz stop it already.
'it must be fast, its got racing stripes that that big ass delivery ford van"
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thesawzall 5:08PM (4/15/2008)
Like putting lipstick on a pig
Like putting racing stripes on a Ford truck
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Brett- BMW Advo 5:18PM (4/15/2008)
I drive a new Ranger and this is what I wished it looked like!
Bah, damn you FORD!!
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