Ford unleashes a beast

A short while ago it was the award-winning Fiesta subcompact. Now it's the core Ranger pickup that is helping American auto-maker Ford accelerate into a higher position in the Thai automobile market. 

Last month Ford announced its best-ever sales performance for the month of March, with 4,875 vehicles sold, up 47 per cent compared to the corresponding month last year. Ford’s Q1 sales, meanwhile, surged by 57 per cent to more than 15,000 vehicles. 

Also last month, the Ranger overtook the Fiesta as Ford’s best-selling model in Thailand. Ranger sales in March rose by 88 per cent to 2,602, compared to 1,725 of the Fiesta, which drove away with huge bookings from last year’s First Car Buyer Programme. 

Coincidentally, I have in possession a Ford Ranger pickup – a 3.2-litre Double Cab 4x4 Wild Trak version offered by Ford Thailand. Priced at Bt1.099 million, it’s the flagship Ranger model offered here, and I couldn't wait to take it for a spin. 

Although you need to climb up a step to get into the cabin, once settled in it isn’t hard to notice that this looks more like a passenger car than a truck. Apart from a navigation system, it has everything that a passenger car or luxury SUV has. 

The Wild Trak gets special sports seat upholstery that actually looks better than a sedan’s, while the dashboard is equally modern. The multi-function steering wheel also looks and feels great in your hands. 

There is enough room inside, with good leg room for rear passengers too. 

Compared to the standard version, the Wild Trak comes with additional features such as a rear parking sensor with a video screen on the rear-view mirror, ESP with traction control, dual zone climate control, powered driver’s seat, rear locking differential, Bluetooth and even a 12-volt socket on the bedliner. 

The equipment list also includes voice control, cruise control and exterior features like automatic headlight and windshield wipers, a sports bar and roof rails, box rails, side steps, and more.Power oozes from a 3.2-litre 5-cylinder, 20-valve turbo diesel engine that pumps out 200 horsepower (highest in the 1-tonne pickup segment) and a whopping 470Nm of torque (from 1,750rpm). Mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, this engine gives the Ranger huge potential, whether in terms of straight-up performance or towing. 

The automatic transmission features a sequential manual shift mode, with minus to the front and plus to the rear, which I consider the right pattern (most Japanese auto-makers have it the other way around). As you brake and want to shift down, the inertia brings your body forward, and pushing the shift lever forward is easier than pulling it backwards. And while accelerating the inertia works the other way, pushing your body backwards, thus, shifting up by pulling the lever back is easier. 

These are small things that certain auto-makers think about to make our lives easier. In the Ranger, you just partially touch the indicator stalk and the turning lights blink three times. There are those small cup/bottle holders at the rear of the pickup bed that will surely come in handy when you’re going camping or simply hanging around your truck. 

After taking off, the first gear seems a little dull but once the second gear kicks in, the Ranger is ready to rock and roll. The huge amount of torque translates into a steady flow of acceleration from any given cruising speed. 

The steering is tight while the suspension is beefy. Okay, you might get a little irritated when going over speed bumps, but in general the Ranger offers good ride comfort considering that it is a pickup. There’s also a good amount of assist when pressing on the brakes, adding to driver confidence. 

For off-roading, there’s a knob to have the transfer case switch from 2- to 4-wheel drive located near the gearshift lever. Lots of torque and off-road features get the Ranger going in tough conditions – located on the centre console are switches for the traction control, Hill Descent Control and Rear Diff Lock. 

The Ranger 3.2 4x4 Wild Trak is currently the most impressive truck on the market, and sales are growing due to the extremely good product quality. 

As for me, the Ranger would be the top priority in my shopping list if I was looking for a capable and stylish pickup, just like the Fiesta is my top pick in the sub-compact market. The Ranger comes with the versatility of a pickup and features that you’d normally expect only in a passenger car, giving you a great blend of utility and style. 

But I’d still have my fingers crossed. 

While the products are competitive, Ford also needs to ensure that after-sales facilities are adequate, as well as effective. Warranties and technical glitches must be dealt with swiftly and productively with customers in order to keep them loyal. After all, happy customers are likely to come back when it’s time to change vehicles. That’s how it has been and will always be.

 

 

If the Wild Trak 3.2 is too costly for you, Ford also offers a 2.2-litre double cab Wild Trak model in 4x2 (Hi-rider) and 4x4 versions priced from Bt889,000 to Bt1.019 million. 

 

Ford Ranger Double Cab 3.2L 4x4 Wild Trak specs 

 

Engine: 5-cylinder DOHC 20-valve 

Displacement: 3,198cc 

Bore and stroke: 89.9x100.7mm 

Compression ratio: 15.7:1 

Max power: 200ps/3,000rpm 

Max torque: 470Nm/1,750-2,500rpm 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic 

Ratios: 4.171/2.342/1.521/1.143/0.867/0.691 

Suspension (f/r): double wishbone/leaf spring 

Steering: powered rack and pinion 

Turning circle: 12.4 metres 

Brakes (f/r): vented discs/drums 

 

Dimensions (mm) 

Length: 5,359 

Width: 1,850 

Height: 1,815 

Wheelbase: 3,220 

Track (f/r): 1,560/1,560 

Weight (kgs): n/a 

Wheels: 18-in alloys 

Tires: 255/60R18 

Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres 

Price: Bt1.099 million 

Distributor: Ford Thailand