Going to be interesting Hilux is the top Global Pickup, new Model has been released 2.3 million Global Pickups were sold last year
FORD'S range-topping Ranger Wildtrak will set a new safety standard for the one-tonne ute segment when it arrives in the third quarter, with a raft of driver assistance equipment not yet seen in its class.
While recent advances in active cruise control and lane-departure monitoring technology have found their way into passenger vehicles in recent years, the safety systems have not been applied to any models in the Australian light-commercial class, until now.
Sitting at the top of Ford's popular Ranger line-up, the pumped-up Wildtrak will bring a selection of off-road performance-enhancing gear, extra aesthetic tweaks as well as adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, lane-keep assistance and a driver impairment monitor.
With the potentially lifesaving features, Ford's flagship Ranger Wildtrak out-guns the safety standards of its key rivals, including the just launched Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton, as well as the Mazda BT50, Holden Colorado and even the high-specced Volkswagen Amarok.
Toyota's segment-dominating HiLux will touch down on Australian dirt shortly after the Ranger's third quarter launch, but no mention has been made of any similar safety and driver-assistance equipment for Toyota's new-gen pick-up either.
Ford has not yet outlined the rest of the Ranger line-up but details are expected to be made official soon, along with a concrete release date and pricing. At this stage, a September launch is looking most likely.
The Blue Oval was unable to confirm if the safety equipment would be included in any other Ranger variants, but Ford Australia brand communications manager Neil McDonald told GoAuto the top tech is traditionally seen in the highest-spec cars initially.
โIt's probably a bit early to say but customarily that sort of technology comes in at the high-end first,โ he said. โIt's probably a bit early to see where it's going to be available in the rest of the range.
If the Ranger evolves with a similar progression to other lines, the autonomous braking and other safety equipment is likely to be offered in lesser variants later in the model's lifecycle.
The Wildtrak's lane-keeping assistant can alert the driver if the vehicle unintentionally wanders out of a lane and if the warning is ignored, the system can provide steering correction to maintain the vehicle's course.
Adaptive cruise control uses forward facing sensors to maintain a set distance from a leading vehicle even if its speed fluctuates, while the same technology can provide a warning and primes the brakes if a nose-to-tail collision is imminent.
A driver-impairment monitor also uses the forward-facing camera to detect signs of driver drowsiness along with steering behaviour monitoring, and issues an audible warning if fatigue is sensed.
The Wildtrak is also equipped with more commonplace safety systems such as all-round parking radar with reversing camera, tyre-pressure monitoring, ESC with roll-over mitigation and emergency assistance via Ford's Sync2 system.
In addition to the significant boost in safety tech, the Wildtrak gets unique 18-inch alloy wheels, and tougher-looking exterior treatments including a dark โliquid metallicโ grey grille with accentuated โnostrilsโ, with the unique colouring repeated on door mirrors and handles, side vents, bed rails and tail-lights.
Wide side steps, roof rails and a special smoked roll-over bar are also standard fare on the Wildtrak, while the Pride Orange paintwork and nameplate emblazoned on the front doors sets it apart from other Rangers.
The top-spec version will also be available dressed-up in Cool White, Black Mica, Metropolitan Grey and Aluminium.
A dusting of unique features continues on the inside with more smoky trims to match the exterior, two-tone orange upholstery with matching stitching, while the driver's seat is adjustable in eight ways.
The Sync2 information and entertainment is accessible through the 8.0-inch touchscreen or through recently revised, simpler voice commands. More natural spoken instructions can be used to control cabin temperature, entertainment sources and navigation functions.
Like the previous-generation Ranger Wildtrak, the new version is also powered by Ford's 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder diesel engine, which pumps 147kW and 470Nm of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission, to just the rear wheels or all four corners at the flick of a switch.
Power is unchanged over the previous model but exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) development has cut fuel consumption by 18 per cent says Ford, while electric power steering has lopped another three per cent off fuel use.
Ford is yet to release performance figures but a combined 21 per cent boost in fuel efficiency takes consumption to about 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres.(38mpg U.S.)
Selecting two or four-wheel drive can be done on the fly with the centrally positioned control knob, with a low-range option for more serious off-road or towing work.
Ground clearance is a generous 230mm allowing the Wildtrak to wade through up to 800mm-deep water, while hill-hold, hill descent and Adaptive Load Control gives the range-topping Ranger more ability on and off-road. Towing capacity is rated at 3500kg.
Ford Asia Pacific product development vice president Trevor Worthington said the new Wildtrak builds on the strengths of the forthcoming Ranger.
โThe 2015 Wildtrak takes the Ford Ranger to the next level with an aggressive exterior, a premium, sporty, interior, the latest driver assist technologies and capabilities that ensure itโs up for any adventure,โ he said.
โBuilding on the bolder, smarter and more refined 2015 Ranger, the advanced Wildtrak is a perfect fit for customers who want to combine genuine 4x4 capability with stand-out styling and premium features.โ
jerem0621 wrote:ShinerBock wrote:RobertRyan wrote:
So the Sportrac does not have a 3,000lb payload and 8,000lb towing. The Ranger Cab Chassis does, It has a bed. You are trying to make a disagreement out of factual information and deliberately distorting it
You do not live in fantasyland, it is quite deliberate what you are doing, trying a them and us tactic A lot of people on this thread are interested in Global Pickups, not what you wanted
Ranger and bed
I said pickup bed and a dual cab Robert. As in a pickup bed just like the Sportrac. I didn't ask for the numbers of a single cab, and I did not ask for the numbers of a cab and chassis before the weight of any trayback is applied.
I don't think you quite understand that the cab and chassis models loose payload once you put a tray or flat bed on them. The numbers you keep quoting is the cab and chassis truck which look like this.
Once you add any kind of bed to the truck then it drops the payload the amount that the bed weighs. For example, take the 3,000 lb payload of the single cab cab and chassis model you keep quoting. If you pick that up off the lot without adding a thing to it then you have 3,000 lbs payload, but it don't have any kind of bed and it looks like the truck pictured above. Say you take this truck to a shop to have a 500 lbs bed installed. Know you have to deduct the weight of that bed from your payload which turns your 3,000 lbs payload into 2,500 lbs. Savy? Do you understand how that works and why I said NOT to quote cab and chassis models (especially single cabs) because those are numbers BEFORE and bed is put on it.
Also, I am providing factual information and this is not fantasyland. All I asked you to do is show me a global truck dual cab pickup truck (like the Sportrac) hat had a payload of 3,000 lbs and a tow rating of 8,000 lbs. I know there isn't because I checked which is why you cannot come up with one solitary model that does. If you want to say I am distorting the truth then here, check for yourself and everyone else can as well.
Nissan Navara
Toyota Hilux
Mazda BT50
Holden Colorado
Ford Ranger
So if I am lying or distorting the truth. Then point out to me which truck in these brochures has a payload of 3,000 lbs(1,360 kg) and a tow rating of 8,000 lbs(3,628 kg) in a dual cab pickup configuration. Remember, it has to say P/U for pickup and not C/C for cab and chassis.
Shiner, just for kicks...I looked up the Nissan CC 4x4 automatic and it has 828 kg or 1825 lbs of cargo. This is 400 lbs less than the Colorado 4x4 Crew Cab I looked at. I am willing to bet that the tire capacity in these trucks is very similar as the U.S. vehicles tend to rate the axles way under the tire capacity at max PSI.
Towing is 3,000 kg which is 6613 lbs...this is 400 lbs less than the Colorado in the US.
The data suggests that there is not a huge disparity between global midsize trucks and American mid size trucks.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
They are older models, not all have 3,000 payloadslb just like not all F150's have 3,300lb payloads.He has cherry picked, the Ford / Mazda have 3,000lb payloads but remember these are " 1 tonne" Pickups so they have to have. 2,200lb payload model.
The New Navara has 3,500kg towing or 7,700lb, The old Hilux had only 5,500lb, now 7,700lb.
U.S. Towing firgures and global,are not compatible a F250 HD with a diesel has a rating here of 4,500kg or 9,900lb, you can up grade to 5,000kg or 11,000lb a lot less than the U.S. Figures
That earlier Nissan had a 6,600lb rating but also a 405lbs ft Diesel, it could tow a 29ft 5ver
ShinerBock wrote:RobertRyan wrote:
So the Sportrac does not have a 3,000lb payload and 8,000lb towing. The Ranger Cab Chassis does, It has a bed. You are trying to make a disagreement out of factual information and deliberately distorting it
You do not live in fantasyland, it is quite deliberate what you are doing, trying a them and us tactic A lot of people on this thread are interested in Global Pickups, not what you wanted
Ranger and bed
I said pickup bed and a dual cab Robert. As in a pickup bed just like the Sportrac. I didn't ask for the numbers of a single cab, and I did not ask for the numbers of a cab and chassis before the weight of any trayback is applied.
I don't think you quite understand that the cab and chassis models loose payload once you put a tray or flat bed on them. The numbers you keep quoting is the cab and chassis truck which look like this.
Once you add any kind of bed to the truck then it drops the payload the amount that the bed weighs. For example, take the 3,000 lb payload of the single cab cab and chassis model you keep quoting. If you pick that up off the lot without adding a thing to it then you have 3,000 lbs payload, but it don't have any kind of bed and it looks like the truck pictured above. Say you take this truck to a shop to have a 500 lbs bed installed. Know you have to deduct the weight of that bed from your payload which turns your 3,000 lbs payload into 2,500 lbs. Savy? Do you understand how that works and why I said NOT to quote cab and chassis models (especially single cabs) because those are numbers BEFORE and bed is put on it.
Also, I am providing factual information and this is not fantasyland. All I asked you to do is show me a global truck dual cab pickup truck (like the Sportrac) hat had a payload of 3,000 lbs and a tow rating of 8,000 lbs. I know there isn't because I checked which is why you cannot come up with one solitary model that does. If you want to say I am distorting the truth then here, check for yourself and everyone else can as well.
Nissan Navara
Toyota Hilux
Mazda BT50
Holden Colorado
Ford Ranger
So if I am lying or distorting the truth. Then point out to me which truck in these brochures has a payload of 3,000 lbs(1,360 kg) and a tow rating of 8,000 lbs(3,628 kg) in a dual cab pickup configuration. Remember, it has to say P/U for pickup and not C/C for cab and chassis.
Shiner, just for kicks...I looked up the Nissan CC 4x4 automatic and it has 828 kg or 1825 lbs of cargo. This is 400 lbs less than the Colorado 4x4 Crew Cab I looked at. I am willing to bet that the tire capacity in these trucks is very similar as the U.S. vehicles tend to rate the axles way under the tire capacity at max PSI.
Towing is 3,000 kg which is 6613 lbs...this is 400 lbs less than the Colorado in the US.
The data suggests that there is not a huge disparity between global midsize trucks and American mid size trucks.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
