Ford have announced the trim levels and more specifications for the 2015 Ranger, the PX Mk II.

As the name suggests, the PX Mk II is an evolution of the current model PX.  Here’s what is new or improved.  We are monitoring both Ranger and Everest closely, and will bring you news as soon as we get it.

Capability

Hill Launch Assist is a hill-hold function, works in forward and reverse.  Handy for manuals, but our experience with similar systems is that you’re better off just learning how to left foot brake for hill starts.   Adaptive Load Control detects the load in the vehicle and modifies the stability control programme (Dynamic Stability Control in Ford-speak).  This was already the case in the PX Ranger.

Same as the PX there’s 800mm of water wading capability, 230mm of ground clearance.  The rear locking differential is continued, no word if traction control will now work on the front axle when it is engaged.  Hope so, and also hope they have recalibrated the system from the PX which is pretty ordinary.

[ UPDATE ] The manual transmission has been improved by use of a cable shifter which makes the gearshift feel a lot better, and totally eliminates gear stick shake/vibration.  Good news for those that were leaning towards a manual, as the PX’s was not known for being the best on the market.

Suspension has been “fine tuned” for comfort and handling.  Still a live axle with leaves at the back and independent coil at the front.  Brakes still drum on the rears.

Steering is now electrically power-assisted.  This means that the feel and weight can be varied depending on speed, nature of terrain and so on.  Will be interesting to see if it is remapped for low range work.  Losing the power steering pump nets an efficiency gain of 3%.

Payload and towing

Ford claim the 3500kg tow capabilty is “unsurpassed”- we beg to differ.   Not yet known if towing will be changed, looks unlikely at this stage otherwise Ford would probably be talking about it.

Engines

Still a 2.2 diesel and 3.2 diesel, with six-speed auto or manual.  The 3.2 has been improved although power and torque are the same at 147kw and 470Nm.  We hope that the Smart Charge system of disabling the alternator for efficiency can still be turned off so we can run dual battery systems with ease.  The new version of the 3.2 is more efficient than the one in the PX.

	2.2-litre 4 cylinder Turbo Diesel	3.2-litre Turbo Diesel
POWER	118 kW @ 3,200 rpm	147 kW @ 3,000 rpm
TORQUE	385 Nm @ 1,600-2,500 rpm	470 Nm @ 1,750-2,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION	6-Speed Manual 6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Manual 6-Speed Automatic

Interior

There’s a 230V inverter with a normal household plug.  The XLT and Wildtrak get two 4.2″ colour instrument screens, which is fantastic, a big problem with one screen is that it can only do one thing at a time. [ UPDATE ] Two screens allow one to do say navigation, the other audio – these are one in the centre dash and one in the driver’s instrument panel.  Good move, Ford.

 

 Looks

You can see the pictures, judge for yourself.

Safety

A new feature is Emergency Assist, which detects that the vehicle has been involved in an accident and calls 000 using your phone.  It’ll check with you before it calls though, and will send coordinates from the car’s GPS system before switching to a hands-free mode.  It works with Bluetooth, and you’ll need to be in mobile phone range.  Remember, your mobile will *not* switch to a satellite mode for 000 if it’s not in range of a GSM network.  The system is free.  The resulting ambulance may not be of course!

Wildtrak will have the lot – adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, driver impairment alert (tries to detect how drowsy you are) and lane keep assist which tells you if you’re drifting out of a lane.  That’s drifting as in slightly off course, not the opposite lock sort of drifting.  All this tech can be optioned on an XLT via a Tech Pack.

Tyre pressure monitoring is a welcome addition, so those of you who swap rims out might want to reconsider.   [ UPDATE ] Ford have confirmed it can be remapped for offroad use.

[ UPDATE ] The ‘projector headlights’  are halogens and same as in Falcon and Territory.

Range

Same as before:

• XL
• XL Plus
• XLS
• XLT
• Wildtrak

Quite a few combinations to choose from:

Here’s some of the features you get as a base:

• SYNC2 with a high-resolution 8-inch touchscreen (XLT and Wildtrak)
• Navigation with Traffic Management Channel (XLT and Wildtrak)
• Adjustable Speed Limiter
• Auto Stop/Start on manual transmission (4×2 Hi-Rider and 4×4 models)
• 230V Inverter (Double and Super Cab models)
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Projector headlamps (XLT and Wildtrak)
• Rear box illumination (when Sports Bar equipped)
• Dual colour 4.2” instrumentation screens (XLT and Wildtrak)

 The Tech Pack is an option for XLT, standard on Wildtrak:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keep Assist
• Driver Impairment Monitor
• Reverse camera (standard on Wildtrak)

Price isn’t yet available, but out of that lot the active cruise control is the one to have.  You can always fit your own reversing camera, but you can’t retrofit the rest.

Colours

Orange still only for Wildtrak or those mad enough to vinyl wrap their vehicle after they buy it!

Model Detail

Here’s what you get in each trim level.

Ranger XL

Exterior:

• 16-inch steel wheels

Seating:

• Bucket seats
• 4-way manual driver’s seat adjustment with lumbar support

Instrumentation and controls:

• Auto headlamps

Comfort and Convenience:

• Air conditioning – manual single zone
• Floor coverings – vinyl
• Power windows
• Day/night inside rear view mirror
• 230 V inverter (Double and Super Cab)

Audio:

• Bluetooth® with voice control
• AM/FM stereo radio
• Single MP3 compatible CD player
• AUX/USB/iPod integration
• 4.2” colour multi-function display
• SYNC™1

Safety, Security and Driver Assistance:

• Locking rear differential (4×2 Hi-Rider and 4×4 models)
• Alarm with perimeter, interior motion and vehicle movement sensors
• Cruise control with steering wheel mounted buttons
• Adjustable Speed Limiter

Exterior Body and Box Elements:

• Inner and outer tie downs (Pick-up)
• Load rest (Pick-up)

Ranger XL Plus

XL features plus:
Exterior:

• 17-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Daytime running lamps
• Plastic side steps

Instrumentation and controls:

• Expanded wiring harness with 4-switch auxiliary bezel
• Second battery

Audio:

• 3.5” ice blue multi-function display

Ranger XLS

XL features plus:
Exterior:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Front fog lamps

Comfort and Convenience:

• Floor coverings – carpet
• Front floor mats

Ranger XLT 

XLS features plus:

Exterior:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Towbar
• Chrome exterior trim
• Plastic side steps with bright inserts
• Sports bar with load box illumination
• Privacy glass
• Rear step bumper – accent steel
• Power fold mirrors
• Projector headlamps

Instrumentation and controls:

• Rain sensing windscreen wipers
• Dual colour 4.2” cluster screens

Comfort and Convenience:

• Dual-zone climate control
• Cooled console
• Leather wrapped steering wheel & gear knob
• Electrochromatic rear view mirror

Audio:

• SD Card Slot
• 8″ Colour touch screen
• Satellite navigation with Traffic Management Channel
• SYNCTM 2
• DAB Radio
• Mobile WiFi Hotspot

Safety, Security and Driver Assistance:

• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Rear park assist

Exterior Body and Box Elements:

• Bedliner with 12V socket

Tech Pack Option:

• Reverse camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Alert
• Driver Impairment Monitor
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning

Ranger Wildtrak 

XLT features plus:

Exterior:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Plastic side steps with brushed inserts
• Wildtrak sports bar
• Rear step bumper – chrome
• Puddle lamps

Seating:

• 8-way power driver’s seat adjustment with lumbar support
• Leather heated front seats

Comfort and Convenience:

• Front and rear floor mats – Wildtrak
• Ambient Lighting

Safety, Security and Driver Assistance:

• Front Park Assist
• Reverse Camera

Exterior Body and Box Elements:

• Roller shutter