2012 Ford Ranger Detailed Ahead Of October Debut

2012 PX FORD RANGER

Ford's all-new 'PX' 2012 Ranger will hit Australian showrooms next month - but is it good enough to dent sales of the market-leading HiLux? To find out, click through to our 'first drive' review.

While Toyota's (light) commercial king can be had in as many as 35 variants, Ford has limited the PX Ranger line-up to a choice of just 20 - for now.

Bodystyles include Single, Super and Double Cab styles, along with Pick-up and Cab-chassis bodies. There are four trim grades, three engines and three transmissions, along with 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.

• Click here to read TMR's review of the 2012 Ranger line-up.

Highlights

Developed in Australia over four years, the 2012 Ranger line-up will kick off with the 3.2 litre turbodiesel variants, followed in late 2011 and early 2012 by the 2.2 litre diesel and 2.5 petrol models.

With the petrol and smaller diesel options arriving later, the initial entry point in the 2012 Ranger line-up is the 4x4 Single Cab-chassis XL, paired with a six-speed manual and priced at $40,890.

The most affordable 4x2 model at launch is the Super Cab Pick-up Hi-Rider XLT, priced at $43,240 and equipped with a six-speed manual.

At the top of the 4x2 range is the 3.2 litre Double Cab Pick-up Hi-Rider XLT at $44,490, and topping the 4x4 list is the 3.2 litre flagship Double Cab Pick-up Ranger Wildtrak at $57,390.

When all 20 variants in the Ranger family are available, the most affordable model will be the $19,740 4x2 Single Cab-chassis XL, powered by a 2.5 litre petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

The bottom price rung in the 4x4 list will be occupied by the $38,390 Single Cab-chassis XL, driven by the 2.2 litre diesel and a six-speed manual.

Mechanical Package

Two new diesel engines are available with the Ranger, along with the new 6R80 six-speed auto transmission and the MT82 six-speed manual transmission.

One petrol engine is available, mated to Ford's five-speed MT75 five-speed manual transmission.

2.2-litre 4-Cyl Duratorq TDCi

The 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel produces 110kW at 3700rpm and 375Nm of torque between 1500 and 2500rpm.

It is paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed auto.

Fuel Consumption

• 4x2 Single Cab XL: 7.6 l/100km (manual).
• 4x2 Hi-Rider Single Cab XL: 7.6 (manual), 8.9 (auto).
• 4x2 Hi-Rider Super Cab XL: 8.9 (auto).
• 4x2 Hi-Rider Double Cab XL: 7.6 (manual), 8.9 (auto). 
   
• 4x4 Single Cab XL: 8.1 (manual)
• 4x4 Double Cab XL: 8.1 (manual) 9.4 (auto)

3.2 litre 5-Cyl Duratorq TDCi

The 3.2 litre five-cylinder diesel produces 147kW at 3000rpm and 470Nm between 1500 and 2750rpm.

It is paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed auto.

Fuel Consumption

• 4x2 Hi-Rider Super Cab XLT: 8.9 (auto)
• 4x2 Hi-Rider Double Cab XLT: 8.4 (manual), 8.9 (auto)
   
• 4x4 Single Cab XL: 8.9 (manual), 9.2 (auto)
• 4x4 Super Cab XL: 8.9 (manual)
• 4x4 Super Cab XLT: 8.9 (manual), 9.2 (auto)
• 4x4 Double Cab XL: 8.9 (manual), 9.2 (auto)
• 4x4 Double Cab XLT: 9.4 (manual), 9.2 (auto)
• 4x4 Double Cab Wildtrak: 9.4 (manual), 9.6 (auto)

2.5 litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol

The 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 122kW at 6000rpm and 226Nm at 4500rpm. It is paired with a five-speed manual transmission only.

Fuel Consumption

• 4x2 Single Cab XL: 9.8 (manual, no air-con, cab-chassis standard tray)
• 4x2 Single Cab XL: 10.4 (manual with air-con)
• 4x2 Double Cab XL: 10.6 (manual with air-con)

The 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission offers two driving modes, Normal for comfort and fuel economy and Sport mode for quicker shifts and a sportier feel.

Another feature of the six-speed auto is Ford's Grade Control Logic, designed to automatically shift down on a downhill grade when sufficient brake pressure is sensed.

Four-wheel drive models are equipped with an electronically controlled transfer case that allow drivers to shift from 4x2 to 4x4 at any time, via an electronic switch located on the console.

If extra torque or additional downhill braking is needed, low-range gearing can also be enabled.

Select four-wheel-drive Rangers can also be equipped with either an electric locking differential or a limited slip differential in a wide array of final drive ratios.

Braked towing capacity ranges from 2200kg for the 4x2 petrol, to 2500kg for the 4x2 2.2 diesel and 3350kg for all 4x2 Hi-Rider and 4x4 variants.

Carrying capacity has grown for the more powerful variants in the Ranger line-up, reaching 1500kg.

Features And Safety

All 4x2 Hi-Rider pick-up variants will be offered in all three body styles, and in XL specification. For the XLT spec, the Hi-Rider pack will be offered with the Super Cab body only. 

Ticking the XL Hi-Rider box adds a higher ride height for greater ground clearance, along with a volumetric alarm, front seat side airbags and curtain airbags (also for rear row in Super and Double Cab models), and a Hi-Rider decal for the Super Cab.

2012 Ford Ranger XL

• 16-inch steel wheels
• Bluetooth with voice control, MP3 and iPod connectivity
• 4.2-inch multi-function dashboard-mounted colour screen
• Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted buttons
• Remote keyless entry, power front windows and exterior rear-vision mirrors

2012 Ford Ranger XLT

Features over the XL include:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Locking rear differential
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Dual-zone climate control and cooled centre console
• Electrochromatic rear-vision mirror and rear parking sensors
• Tray bedliner with integrated 12V socket (double cab only)
• Polished rear roll bar, towbar
• Privacy glass

2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Features over the XLT include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Satellite navigation with 5-inch multi-function dashboard-mounted colour display
• Rear-view camera with display in interior rear-view mirror
• Combined leather and fabric upholstery with heated eight-way power front seats.
• Unique sports bar and roof rails

Pricing

4x2 Model Range

4x4 Model Range

Note: prices are Manufacturer's List Price and do not include on-road costs.

Where noted as an available option, the six-speed automatic transmission has an MLP of $2,000 for both 4x2 and 4x4 models.

Cab-chassis models do not include a rear tray.