T6 Ranger priced ready for close contest

Ford's long-awaited T6 Ranger will be priced from below $20,000 at entry level when it hits local showrooms in October.

$19,740 for the basic XL 4x2 petrol model with five-speed manual places the Ranger just $750 above the price of the equivalent Toyota HiLux Workmate variant. Despite the pricing, Ford Australia president Bob Graziano claims that there's nothing cheap or budget-spec about the new Ranger, which was developed by local engineers over a four-year period.

"Designed from the ground up, this highly anticipated all-new model range, available in both 4x2 and 4x4, has been comprehensively developed to meet the specific needs of Australian ute and light truck customers," Graziano was quoted as saying in a Ford press release earlier today.

"Achieving this meant an Australian-based four-year development programme involving almost 500 engineers from around the Ford world. It also involved exhaustive testing in some of the world's harshest operating environments.

"The result: the all-new Ford Ranger is capable, comfortable, powerful, fuel-efficient and includes outstanding safety features.

"It has been designed, engineered and produced to be a leader in its segment and I am certain our customers will agree the moment they get behind the wheel."

The Ranger will be launched with the choice of three cabs (dual cab, super cab and single cab), two body types (cab chassis or pick-up), three engines (3.2-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel, 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel or 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol) and three transmissions (six-speed manual or six-speed auto option for the turbodiesel variants, and a five-speed manual with the petrol-engined Rangers). Lastly, the Ranger can be specified in 4x2, 4x4 or 4x2 Hi-Rider configurations.

Power and torque for the 3.2 are rated at 147kW and 470Nm, while the 2.2 is good for 110kW and 375Nm. The 2.5-litre petrol engine develops 122kW and 226Nm.

The 4x4 drivetrain is a part-time system with shift on the fly and dual-range transfer. At the rear a standard lockable differential is standard with Wildtrak and XLT 4x4 models, optional with the XL 4x4.

As standard, all models, including 4x2 variants, will come equipped with stability control, roll-over mitigation, Hill Launch Assist, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist and emergency brake lights. Secondary safety equipment includes dual front airbags and side-impact airbags mounted in the front seats. Side curtain airbags are standard in all variants other than the XL single-cab cab chassis models, although it will be available optionally for those vehicles with bucket seats. 

Comfort and convenience features fitted as standard at the XL level of trim comprise 16-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth, MP3/iPod connectivity, cruise control, electric front windows and remote central locking. XLT models gain 17-inch alloys, locking rear diff, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, electrochromatic mirror, rear parking sensors, 12V auxiliary power socket in the rear, bedliner for the tray, polished rear roll bar, towbar, privacy glass and cooled centre console.

The Ranger Wildtrak tops the lot with 18-inch alloys, satellite navigation, rear-view camera, leather/fabric trim combination, eight-way adjustable power front seats with built-in heating and exclusive sports bar/roof rails.

Ford will initially launch the Ranger powered by the 3.2-litre turbodiesel engine in two variants: dual cab 4x4 XL and XLT. The rest of the range will follow subsequently, between October and the first quarter of 2012. Of the 180 markets where the Ranger will eventually be sold, Australia is the first port of call for the new model.

Prices are as follows:

$19,740 XL single cab 4x2 cab chassis 2.5 manual
$23,740 XL single cab 4x2 cab chassis 2.2 manual
$28,740 XL single cab 4x2 cab chassis Hi-Rider 2.2 manual
$24,740 XL single cab 4x2 pick-up 2.2 manual
$33,240 XL super cab 4x2 cab chassis Hi-Rider 2.2 auto
$43,240 XLT super cab 4x2 pick-up Hi-Rider 3.2 auto
$30,240 XL dual cab 4x2 pick-up 2.5 manual
$35,990 XL dual cab 4x2 cab chassis Hi-Rider 2.2 auto
$34,990 XL dual cab 4x2 pick-up Hi-Rider 2.2 manual (auto opt.)
$44,490 XLT dual cab 4x2 pick-up Hi-Rider 3.2 manual (auto opt.)
$38,390 XL single cab 4x4 cab chassis 2.2 manual
$40,890 XL single cab 4x4 cab chassis 3.2 manual (auto opt.)
$43,390 XL super cab 4x4 cab chassis 3.2 manual
$44,390 XL super cab 4x4 pick-up 3.2 manual
$50,890 XLT super cab 4x4 pick-up 3.2 manual (auto opt.)
$42,890 XL dual cab 4x4 cab chassis 2.2 manual (auto opt.)
$43,890 XL dual cab 4x4 pick-up 2.2 manual (auto opt.)
$46,390 XL dual cab 4x4 pick-up 3.2 manual (auto opt.)
$53,390 XLT dual cab 4x4 pick-up 3.2 manual (auto opt.)
$57,390 Wildtrak dual cab 4x4 pick-up 3.2 manual (auto opt.)

The six-speed automatic transmission adds $2,000 to the purchase price of the vehicle.

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