Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Ford Ranger becomes first pickup to earn Five-Star Euro NCAP rating]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/new-ford-ranger-becomes-first-pickup-to-earn-five-star-euro-ncap/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/new-ford-ranger-becomes-first-pickup-to-earn-five-star-euro-ncap/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/new-ford-ranger-becomes-first-pickup-to-earn-five-star-euro-ncap/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Ford Ranger crash test

Add another reason to lament the fact that the all-new Ford Ranger will not be sold in the United States: It's safe.

Ford says that en route to earning the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, the 2012 Ranger earned the best score ever awarded to a pickup truck and the best Euro NCAP rating of any vehicle ever tested for pedestrian protection. Ford will be equipping European Rangers with standard side curtain airbags, side thorax airbags and knee airbags, in addition to its front airbags.

The safety scores for the new model are a big win for Ford. Its 2011 Ranger pickup sold here in the U.S. took a big hit when subjected to revised safety tests implemented this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both 2011 Ranger models tested received only two-star overall ratings from NHTSA. Domestic Ford Ranger production is scheduled to end in December, with no scheduled replacement.

Watch the entire crash test video after the jump.

Continue reading New Ford Ranger becomes first pickup to earn Five-Star Euro NCAP rating

New Ford Ranger becomes first pickup to earn Five-Star Euro NCAP rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford rangercrash testeuro ncapfordncaprangersafetyWed, 26 Oct 2011 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20091021/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/26/new-ford-ranger-becomes-first-pickup-to-earn-five-star-euro-ncap/20091021/article-detail.xml 20091021 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2012-ford-ranger-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2012-ford-ranger-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva 2011: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak finds open arms around the globe (U.S. not included)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/02/geneva-2011-2012-ford-ranger-wildtrak-finds-open-arms-around-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/02/geneva-2011-2012-ford-ranger-wildtrak-finds-open-arms-around-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/02/geneva-2011-2012-ford-ranger-wildtrak-finds-open-arms-around-th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Ford Ranger Wildtrak - Click above for high-res image gallery

Cinderella was right when they sang "Don't Know What You've Got ('Til It's Gone)." The Ford Ranger has left the country only to reappear around the globe, looking pretty darn good in the process. Leading the charge into our now-broken heart is the 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak; a diesel-sipping, off-road ready, gadget-packed pickup truck that's making out with the rest of the world while all we can do is watch from the sidelines.

The Wildtrak is the newest range-topping trim and it comes crammed full of features. On the outside, the Ranger Wildtrak sports a unique color scheme on its front fascia, 18-inch wheels and a roof rack. Inside, the cabin is fitted with a touch-screen control system that features satellite navigation, Bluetooth, iPod integration and voice recognition.

Under the hood, the 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak is offered with a choice of two diesel engines: A 2.2-liter four-cylinder that produces 277 pound-feet of torque or a 3.2-liter inline-five that generates an impressive 347 lb-ft.

You can stare at it all you want in the gallery below. Just know that heartaches come and go, and all that's left are the words.


Gallery: Ford Ranger Wildtrak: Geneva 2011


Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak finds open arms around the globe (U.S. not included)

Geneva 2011: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak finds open arms around the globe (U.S. not included) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford rangerfordgenevageneva 2011geneva motor showrangerranger wildtrakwildtrakWed, 02 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19863550/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/02/geneva-2011-2012-ford-ranger-wildtrak-finds-open-arms-around-th/19863550/article-detail.xml 19863550 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/ford-ranger-wildtrak-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/ford-ranger-wildtrak-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Next-gen Ford Ranger shows locomotive force]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/video-next-gen-ford-ranger-shows-locomotive-force/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/video-next-gen-ford-ranger-shows-locomotive-force/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/video-next-gen-ford-ranger-shows-locomotive-force/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Global Ford Ranger pulling locomotive
Global Ford Ranger pulls a locomotive - Click above to watch video after the jump

We're still smarting over the fact that American buyers won't get a chance to sample the goodness that is the new global Ford Ranger, and now the guys and gals at the Blue Oval have set about salting that wound. The company's engineers decided to show off exactly how powerful the little truck is, so they strapped it to a 160-ton locomotive and pulled the engine out of its berth. The Ranger came packing its TDCi diesel 3.2-liter inline five-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. Bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission and equipped with a low-range transfer case, the pickup appears to have no problem lugging the T-class diesel-electric locomotive out of storage.

After watching the video, we've got to agree with the decision makers at Ford. Absolutely no one on this side of the world would ever want a small diesel pickup truck with a towing capacity of over 6,600 lbs. We're not bitter. Honest. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself. Hat tip to The Typical Guy!


Gallery: 2011 Ford Ranger


[Source: YouTube via Top Gear]

Continue reading Video: Next-gen Ford Ranger shows locomotive force

Video: Next-gen Ford Ranger shows locomotive force originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford rangerfordford of australiaford rangerglobal ford rangerlocomotiverangervideoThu, 06 Jan 2011 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19789702/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/06/video-next-gen-ford-ranger-shows-locomotive-force/19789702/article-detail.xml 19789702 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ranger-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ranger-630.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market? <i>[*UPDATED]</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/video-mulally-unwittingly-confirms-next-gen-ford-ranger-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/video-mulally-unwittingly-confirms-next-gen-ford-ranger-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/video-mulally-unwittingly-confirms-next-gen-ford-ranger-for-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Alan Mulally on CNBC - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Our trusty spy photographers have captured the next-generation Ford Ranger out testing several times now, but speculation continues to swirl over whether or not this trucklet will be available for U.S. consumption. After all, there's been talk of a more entry-level F-150 that would sort of fill the void of not having a dedicated Ranger replacement, but Ford has never ruled out the possibility of an all-new small pickup.

While talking about the new 2011 Explorer on CNBC's Squawk Box this morning, Ford's president and CEO, Alan Mulally, appears to have unintentionally confirmed a new Ranger for North America. While discussing the whole lineup of Stateside Ford products, Mulally specifically says "new Ranger," which leads us to believe that all of these test mules we've seen might not just be for our overseas friends (something that we've been wondering about anyhow, as we've seen more Stateside evaluations of this 'overseas' truck than any other foreign market vehicle in recent memory). No, Mulally doesn't come right out and say that an all-new Ranger is headed our way, but we've continued to hear scuttlebutt about just such a truck from our sources, and given that his remarks were otherwise confined to North American products, we're beginning to think that a new Ranger is all but confirmed.

To see what we're on about, follow the jump to watch the CNBC interview, and pay close attention beginning around the five-minute mark for Mulally's Ranger remark. A big ol' tip of the cap to Dan!


*UPDATE: Ford continues to tell Autoblog that the new global Ranger is not planned for North America. As we've previously reported, the new F-150 will receive an EcoBoost powertrain that should deliver similar economy figures to the Ranger while providing improved size and capability, thereby negating the need for bringing a smaller pickup in this market.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Ford T6 Ranger


[Source: CNBC]

Continue reading Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market? [*UPDATED]

Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market? [*UPDATED] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 ford ranger2011FordRanger2012 ford ranger2012FordRangeralan mulallyalan mullalyAlanMulallyAlanMullalyblue ovalBlueOvalbreakingbreaking newsbreakingnewscnbcCNBC sqawk boxcnbc squawk boxCnbcSqawkBoxCnbcSquawkBoxfordFord Rangerford ranger spy shotsFordRangerFordRangerSpyShotsRangerranger pickupRangerPickupsquawk boxSquawkBoxU.S. rangerU.s.RangervideovideosMon, 26 Jul 2010 09:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19568427/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/26/video-mulally-unwittingly-confirms-next-gen-ford-ranger-for-u-s/19568427/article-detail.xml 19568427 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/mulally630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/mulally630.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Ford Ranger mule caught testing in Dearborn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/spy-shots-ford-ranger-mule-caught-testing-in-dearborn/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/spy-shots-ford-ranger-mule-caught-testing-in-dearborn/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/spy-shots-ford-ranger-mule-caught-testing-in-dearborn/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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]

Spy Shots: Ford Ranger mule caught testing in Dearborn originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford ranger2012FordRangerfordford rangerFordRangerrangerspy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsFri, 05 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19058987/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/05/spy-shots-ford-ranger-mule-caught-testing-in-dearborn/19058987/article-detail.xml 19058987 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/ranger.mule1.kgp.ed_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/ranger.mule1.kgp.ed_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Aussie-market 2012 Ford Ranger spotted?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/spy-shots-aussie-market-2012-ford-ranger-spotted/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/spy-shots-aussie-market-2012-ford-ranger-spotted/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/spy-shots-aussie-market-2012-ford-ranger-spotted/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As previously reported, Ford's Australian arm is currently developing a new global small truck platform that will underpin the next Ford Ranger here in the United States. Codenamed T6, the truck is likely to be offered in both standard and extended cab configurations and offer various gas and diesel powerplants depending on the country it's sold in.

An eagle-eyed spy shooter in Australia managed to snap off a series of photos of the T6 Ranger out and about in the land of Oz being tested in predictably camouflaged form. Although it may look like a mangled Mazda BT-50, those body panels have only been fitted to mask the pickup's true identity. Previous reports suggest that a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder powerplant with roughly 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque will be offered here in the States. Assuming the new truck does in fact make the trip to America, expect it to show up in 2012.

[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]

Spy Shots: Aussie-market 2012 Ford Ranger spotted? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 ford ranger2011FordRanger2012 ford ranger2012FordRangerford rangerford ranger spy shotsFordRangerFordRangerSpyShotsTue, 02 Jun 2009 08:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19053043/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/02/spy-shots-aussie-market-2012-ford-ranger-spotted/19053043/article-detail.xml 19053043 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/2012_ranger_spy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/2012_ranger_spy.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Is this the next-generation Ford Ranger? And if so, will we get it?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/spy-shots-is-this-the-next-generation-ford-ranger-and-if-so-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/spy-shots-is-this-the-next-generation-ford-ranger-and-if-so-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/spy-shots-is-this-the-next-generation-ford-ranger-and-if-so-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford's recent strategy of combining all of its vehicles from around the world on a single set of platforms may finally bring a new Ranger small pickup truck to the United States once the current model loses its long-running lease on life after the 2011 model year. Spy shooters from the other side of the world have snapped off a series of photos of Ford engineers out testing what appears to be the Blue Oval's next-gen small truck platform in both right- and left-hand-drive configurations.

The new platform is apparently codenamed T6 and it is being developed in Australia. Here in the States, the next Ranger (if we get one) is likely to be offered with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine fortified with Ford's EcoBoost technology. Expect around 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque from the turbocharged and direct injected mill. Unfortunately, we're not likely to see Ford's 3.0-liter Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in the U.S., though we'd love to have access to its 280 lb-ft of twist. Ah well, can't win 'em all.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Spy Shots: Is this the next-generation Ford Ranger? And if so, will we get it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 ford ranger2011FordRanger2012 ford ranger2012FordRangerfordford rangerford ranger ecoboostford ranger t6ford t6FordRangerFordRangerEcoboostFordRangerT6FordT6Tue, 12 May 2009 14:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1543697/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/12/spy-shots-is-this-the-next-generation-ford-ranger-and-if-so-w/1543697/article-detail.xml 1543697 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/ford_ranger_t6_spy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/ford_ranger_t6_spy.jpg -1 2