Spy Shots: Ford Ranger mule caught testing in Dearborn
by John Neff on Jun 5th 2009 at 12:58PM 
Ford Ranger mule – Click above for high-res image gallery of spy shots
As we've previously reported, Ford engineers in Australia are hard at work on the next-generation Ranger pickup, reportedly codenamed T6. While the Ranger name is used on various Ford pickups sold around the world that are different from our long-in-the-tooth U.S. model, word has it that Ford may be leveraging this new global pickup platform to replace the latter truck here in the States when it goes away after the 2011 model year. These new spy shots lend some serious credence to those rumors, as this Ranger mule wasn't snapped in Australia... it was caught in Dearborn, MI near the headquarters of Ford Motor Company.
Never mind the Mazda-looking front end, which likely just hides the bones of this next-gen global Ranger. And while details are scare, talk of a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque refuses to go away. Check out the rest of the high-res spy shots in our gallery below and let us know if a new, more economical Ranger is just what the doctor for Ford in the States.
Gallery: Ford Ranger - spy shots
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
PaulPaul 1:01PM (6/05/2009)
that is one ugly donkey!
Reply
Craig 10:13AM (6/06/2009)
What is with the ugly tray?
brn 1:02PM (6/05/2009)
"And while details are scare"
scare -> scarce?
Reply
Randy 2:35PM (6/05/2009)
It's a Blog, not Wall Street Journal! ;-)
dukeisduke 1:06PM (6/05/2009)
That is an insult to mules everywhere.
Reply
racewithferrari 1:09PM (6/05/2009)
I thinks that is Mazda truck.....badge looks like that.
Reply
Aprime 1:11PM (6/05/2009)
It's important to read the articles.
Kitko 1:21PM (6/05/2009)
It's also important to know that Ranger has it's own badge engineered Mazda sister. So it doesn't really matter what badge the car wears. And with all deceiveing techniques it might as well be Tata... Remember that suicide door Ford/Mercury Cougar? It was a test mule for an RX-8.
Yikes 2:11PM (6/05/2009)
Mazda(or Volvo) designs Fords vehicles!
Ford will be rebadging to sell here.
Gloria 1:10PM (6/05/2009)
Before the next 5 pages of "OMG, that is UGLY............. how can Ford build that??" starts.
It is a mule. This means that it is testing suspension/engine/cooling/trans/etc. What it looks like, has nothing to do with what the truck will look like.
Or, do you think Ford is stupid enough to have a completely undisguised prototype running around............... 2 years before production.
Reply
Matt 1:18PM (6/05/2009)
Yes. Ford is most certainly that stupid.
Arumage 1:24PM (6/05/2009)
Trolls are also most certainly stupid.
Matt (that likes ford) 1:46PM (6/05/2009)
Again with the hate on Ford Matt!
Who is the only one of the Big 2.5 that is NOT bankrupt? Ford
Who REFUSED bailout money? Ford
Who is the douchebag that keeps ragging on Ford? YOU
YouAreClueless 2:56PM (6/05/2009)
Matt, I'm surprised you have internet at your remote Montana cabin. Or do you have to ride your bike to the local internet cafe to post your daily anti-Ford vitriol?
In case you are wondering, no one wants to read your manifesto.
Tagg 5:37PM (6/05/2009)
Matt (bad Matt) thinks GM is "winning". Check this quote from it.
"BANKRUPT company...which will soon have ZERO debt, is handing Ford it's ass. And that makes me laugh."
What makes me laugh is how stupid it is because it forgets that GM will be about $100 BILLION in debt to the U.S. Government when they finish their bankruptcy.
Yes numbnuts, GM MUST PAY BACK THE GOVERNMENT regardless off it's restructuring.
Tagg 5:51PM (6/05/2009)
Hey numbnuts Matt, here's an example of how "smart" your beloved GM is.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/gm-marketing-boss-mark-laneve-apparently-unaware-that-diesel-is/
It's only one page over and I'm sure you saw it but chose to ignore it out your own ignorance.
Cheers buddy!
MRX19 1:12PM (6/05/2009)
Detroit should have never abandoned the compact truck market. (Current Ranger, sole and tired survivor). With Obama Motors CAFE standards on the horizon this will again be a big market as full size pick-up won't cut it.
Reply
Dave 1:29PM (6/05/2009)
+1
I'd be happy to see a mild evolution of the current Ranger. It has a niche, while this will compete in a crowded segment.
The Sonoma/S-10, OTOH, were too cramped, IMHO.
Rick C. 2:16PM (6/05/2009)
The return of the economical (hopefully) mini truck. Long overdue.
Craig 10:18AM (6/06/2009)
The Toyota Hilux, Isuzu Rodeo, Holden Colorado and Nissan Navara are all good mini trucks and would suit the place of most full size trucks.