Ford launches Ranger, Explorer EcoBoost and Mustang at MIAS

April 07,2012

Ford started off the 8th Manila International Auto Show with a blast—courtesy of horses from the company’s secret weapon: the 2012 Mustang, coming in 2012. Not to be outshone were the company’s two mainstream offerings: the all-new Ranger pickup and the Explorer EcoBoost.

Ford Ranger
The Ranger took center stage as the latest iteration of Ford’s workhorse. The Ranger is a new global pickup truck that was designed in Australia and will be assembled in several factories including Ford’s Thailand plant. The all-new pickup is a world model, designed to tackle markets from Australia to Zimbabwe. For the ASEAN market, Ford has been conscious that many customers use the pickup as a mixed vehicle, using it as both workhorse and family transport.

New Ranger follows the Built Ford Tough cues as traditionally embodied by the line and enhances it with its latest kinetic styling to come up with a “21st Century Tough” look. The front features a short overhang with Ford’s family three-bar grille, with reported attention to detail as would be expected usually from cars and SUVs.

One striking aspect of the new Ranger will be its size: at up to 5359mm long and 1850mm wide, the Ranger is 90% the size of Ford’s North American best-seller, the F-150. Ford claims that it remains maneuverable and at home on Asia’s narrow city streets and parking is still easy, thanks to quick steering with 3.5 turns lock-to-lock.

The interior in particular has reportedly been designed to carry five adults in car-like comfort. Ford cites the Casio G-Shock as a styling influence for the instrument panel, appropriate for a precision tool that is encased in a tough casing that resists pretty much any abuse thrown its way.

Early reviews peg the Ranger as being quieter than most pickups—more in line with what one might expect from a passenger car. The all-new frame is claimed to be twice as stiff as the outgoing model, which should bode well for both handling and off-road capability. The pickup bed is large and deep, and includes convenience features such as a power outlet and integrated drink holders.

Those who remember the F-150 will appreciate the Ranger’s diesel power plants, which are quite a bit more frugal at the pump. The DuraTorq range will include a 3.2-liter inline-5 good for 200hp and 470Nm, and a 2.2-liter inline-4 that puts out 150hp and 350Nm. Variable geometry turbos and direct injection are part of the package. Six-speed transmissions are the norm, whether automatic or do-it-yourself manual.

By engineering the Ranger from a clean sheet (and computer screen), Ford has thrown down the gauntlet in the pickup arena, with a contender that seems every bit as capable as it looks.

Ford Explorer EcoBoost
Diesel power has been the default choice for buyers seeking a fuel efficient SUV…until now. Ford is introducing a gasoline powerplant that will propel the Explorer seven-seat SUV to 11.90 km/liter. The secret is a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with turbocharged power. Expect it to beat some compact and executive sedans in efficiency.

Now launching in the Explorer, this advanced EcoBoost four-cylinder engine provides the optimum balance between fuel efficiency and responsive power, delivering 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a generous 366 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.

Ford’s new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine combines gasoline direct injection and turbocharging with smaller overall displacement, delivering comparable power to a standard V6 engine while delivering the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder engine. Ford holds more than 125 patents on its EcoBoost engine technology.

Explorer fuel efficiency also benefits from a smooth vehicle shape and careful aerodynamic detailing like optimization of the front air dam and rear liftgate spoiler lip, as well as lightweight components such as an aluminum hood.

Ford Mustang
The biggest surprise for the morning was rolled out as a black rumbling wedge of metal: the Mustang, now an official Ford product, to be launched later in the year. As part of Ford’s activities during MIAS, the company took a poll as to whether the public wanted V6 or V8 power (V8, please, fuel be damned!), what color they wanted, and the price. As always, price will be the last to be revealed, but the intention is clear: to steal sales from crosstown rival Chevrolet and perhaps even from the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Stay tuned for more Mustang details in the coming months.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.