Ford’s tough and smart new Ford Ranger pickup made its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show recently.
It has revealed a bold new design, cutting-edge technologies and claimed improved fuel efficiency ahead of the model’s sales introduction here in Ireland from early 2016. The flagship ‘Wildtrak’ model on display in Frankfurt takes the Ranger to the next level with an exclusive exterior design treatment, unique interior trim, and a striking new signature colour – Pride Orange.
“With the stunning new Wildtrak at the pinnacle of the line-up, the new Ford Ranger provides customers with an unbeatable combination of four-wheel drive capability, stand-out styling and premium features like SYNC 2 connectivity,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe. “Ranger is ready for any challenge – offering optimised fuel efficiency, towing and payload capacity, and class-leading wading capability.”
The current Ford Ranger has generated rapid sales growth in Europe since first being introduced in late 2011. Total sales of 21,600 vehicles in 2014 in Ford’s 20 traditional European markets were more than double those achieved in 2012, while 16,700 Rangers were sold in the first eight months of 2015 – a further 36 per cent increase year-over-year.
The new Ranger’s fuel efficiency, a claimed improvement of up to 17 per cent is supported by Auto-Start-Stop, new final drive ratios, and electric power assisted steering, with claimed CO2 emissions from 171 g/km. Advanced features include SYNC 2 connectivity, lane keeping aid, and adaptive cruise control, will according to Ford make the new Ranger one of the smartest trucks on the road.
Ford says that the Ranger ‘Wildtrak’ marks its status as the ultimate Ranger through a unique dark, liquid metallic grey finish for the new trapezoidal grille with its distinctive outboard nostrils. The same accent colour continues to the side mirrors, door handles, side air vents, load-bed rails, and tail lamps, for a bold and sporty appearance.
Other exclusive design elements on the new Wildtrak include rectangular fog lamps, a unique sports hoop, machined 18-inch alloy wheels and bold Wildtrak graphics, together helping to communicate a fearless sense of adventure. Even the Wildtrak’s signature exterior colour has been tweaked to help it stand out from the crowd, with the new metallic ‘Pride Orange’ finish.
Inside, Ford says that the orange is used as an accent colour to add a sense of sportiness to the strikingly modern, car-like interior. A strong horizontal beam spanning driver to passenger door emphasises the cabin’s width and houses an instrument cluster with dual colour digital displays, and an 8-inch touchscreen.
A soft-touch instrument panel top with an orange accent stitch imparts a premium feel to the cockpit, while the rings around the air registers feature a distinctive shadow chrome finish. The new Wildtrak also features unique seats – including an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat – with bold graphical elements and orange stitching, combining toughness, durability, and sportiness.
