2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak expected in Australia Q3 2011

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By Tim Beissmann | March 01st, 2011

Ford has released images and details of the 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show tonight.

Designed and developed in Australia, the all-new Ford Ranger will be produced in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina from the middle of this year and delivered to more than 180 different markets around the world.

Ford says the Ranger Wildtrak will be among the most high-tech compact pick-ups available in the world, with satellite navigation, Bluetooth voice control and a rear view camera system included as standard features.

The advanced infotainment system incorporates Bluetooth audio streaming, USB and iPod connectivity, a five-inch colour screen, and voice control functions for the radio, CD, iPod, USB, phone and air-conditioning systems.

The cabin offers 23 storage compartments, and Ford says the glove box will swallow a 16-inch laptop and the centre console bin will keep six drink cans cool.

The seats are finished in a combination of leather and woven cloth with ventilated sections and contrast ‘Wildtrak Orange’ stitching.

From the outside, the Wildtrak has a paint job and front grille design inspired by the Ford F-150 Raptor from the US. The dark accents are continued to the side mirrors, door handles and side air vents to distinguish it from every angle.

The Wildtrak sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and comes with roof racks and a sports hoop, as well as unique badging and graphics to set it apart as the Ranger’s range-topping lifestyle variant.

Ford Australia’s Neil McDonald all but confirmed the range-topping Wildtrak model would continue to be a part of the Ranger line-up when the all-new Ranger is launched in Australia in the third quarter of 2011.

“With the Wildtrak available in the current line-up, you could make the deduction that it would be highly likely to be available [in the new line-up],” Mr McDonald said.

The all-new Ford Ranger will be powered by two different Duratorq TDCi diesel engines and come with the option of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine will produce 110kW of power and 375Nm of torque, while the new 3.2-litre five-cylinder unit will top the range with 147kW and 470Nm of torque. Selected variants will be capable of achieving a towing capacity of 3350kg.

Safety also promises to be class leading, with Electronic Stability Control to be fitted standard.

Stay tuned as CarAdvice brings you all the news from the unveiling of the 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak at the Geneva Motor Show later this evening.

Nelson Muntz

Dear Mr Ford, I like that I can has an Auto!
paulb

Looks impressive,wait for pricing.Amarok looks a bit expensive

BB

This make the Amarok look old. good job ford

JR

They are a great looking ute with good spec’s. Hope they are’nt priced like a VW.
Toyota Guru

3.35 tonne towing capacity? Holy Flap Batman! That’s nearly in LC200/LC70 territory! Awesome!

Andrew M

The current Ranger is already rated at 3 tonne.

pezza

Class matching or even leading in most areas – great to see this segment evolve safety and comfort wise. Great aussie designed vehicles by the looks of it – cant wait to see some reviews

Reckon as these get better we will see less of the falcon and commodore utes?

I’ll have one in blue please.

bangel

Yes with ford going FWD and no falcon ute this is the future , grunty diesel that 5 cylinder job .

Mr toyota has got some stiff opposition with this and the amarok .

Andrew M

If you ask me, the Amrok bowed out. Now it just looks like it will make an average go of the market when it cold have been such a mould breaker.

This on the other hand looks like the revolution the Territory had on its market in 2004, only bigger

Suntory Time

Not my cup of tea, but looks cool for the right person. The engines don’t sound very exciting though.

Zandit

This is one of the more powerful utes utes out there, what more do you want?

Robin Graves

He wants a Holden badge

Robert

they stick a v8 in a family car no worries, but when they design a vehicle made for moving heavy loads and towing they stick a 4 cyl and a 5 cyl. don’t really see the point in that. Holden or Ford, it’s stupid

DGKgm

your stupid, ford is a multi billion company, I’m sure they have reasons for what they do! I’m buying a wildtrak as soon as they are available!

Planned Obsolescence

It does look very good & from first observations vary competitive, however I have no doubt we shall hear a whole raft of reasons from Tomas once he’s finsihed with his tonka toy why it’s a piece of junk, as only he can describe it

Tomas79

Epic Fail on Predictions!! Muppet!

Planned Obsolescence

Dont ya just hate it when you see spelling mistakes & it’s too late to correct them
boss

love it i so want one
Dennis

Amarok has no chance against this…
Mohamad is right when he says

DROPPINGS
Sumpguard

One of the biggest disappointments for me when buying my third work ute a few years back was how basic the interior was. They still hadn\’t worked out that tradies like a bit of luxury in their vehicles and when paying upward of a $40 grand for a diesel variant ,the dull plastics are a let down.

Fortunately it appears ford have worked it out. that interior is miles ahead of my navara. Hopefully the vehicle will be more reliable too. On paper at least I\’d much sooner buy this (far better looking) than the massively overpriced V6 Navara diesel ($76,000) plus on roads, but I suspect this top line variant will be mid to high 50\’s?

Nice job ford.

Andrew M

Thats why Ive had a string of Falcon utes, they certainly dont make you feel 3rd world, I know exactlly what you mean about the Jap style utes.

This on the other hand, a definate mould breaker, and its relegated the Navara to 2nd place in the looks stake on my book.

Aussie designed dont forget, so it should be a great vehicle

paulb

Andrew,any idea on the pricing.The 3.2 litre mid 40,s?

Andrew M

My guess would probably be as good as the next guys.

But here it is anyway…
Firstly depends on what trim they offer the 3.2L in, I dont see why it couldnt be an option on all trim.

Prices for the New Ranger shouldnt stray too far from current prices, Maybe the 3.2L may be 1-2K higher than any equivalent current model Ranger…..

And Ford being Ford, you wont pay sticker price unless you walk in backwards with your pants around your ankles (same can be said of some other main brands though I suppose)
Either way, I reckon it will still make for great value and a real shaker.
Lets see if they can keep to demand unlike periods of the current range of Fords imported models

paulb

If the new Ranger can be price competitive,it will go great guns.Was dissapointed with the pricing of the Amorak,not a good start in a new market
Andrew M

Agree, and it didnt really offer anything we havent already seen

Paul

We don’t have any clear pricing yet. I’m an Aussie living in Thailand and I heard the top model will be say, about 950K baht (around 32K AU dollars). Over in OZ I would guess mid,high 40′s or so. The tax there must be huge! I just saw it at the Bangkok Motor Show and it does look sweet.

RoyalDutch

I just got into the new 550 stx Navara and I’m glad I did. I’m getting the same interior as a Ti pathfinder. Nice looking paintwork from Ford hope it can stand up to the bushwork.

Neesarn Man

You do realise the ‘massively overpriced’ Navara is $60,990 not $76,000 don’t you. Research, try it before you comment.

Crossy

The new Navara STX-550 V6 Diesel is $67K + on roads, retail price.
I know, I was looking at one on Friday at the local Nissan dealer.
Great engine/transmission but horribly over-priced when the rest of it is pretty much the same as a standard 4cyl Navara STX.
I’ll be checking out this Ranger though, looks great.

Joe

I can’t wait to see this new Ranger in the flesh. The Wildtrack looks sensational and I have heard from people who have driven it that it drives just like a Territory. No surprise really as it is designed by the same team that developed the Territory.

At last a Ute that is a 4×4, seats 5, looks more than just rugged and is as safe as and drives like a car. What’ll they think up next?

Andrew M

There was talk of a Wagon version too, be interesting to see if that grows legs….
Is it the First Aussie designed True 4×4 passanger vehicle on the Horizon??

Joe

Hey Andrew M, I’m sure that there is a Ranger Wagon on the horizon. If you check the Ford Thailand website you’ll see that they sell a car called the Everest, which is a current model Ranger wagon.

And let’s not forget a car from the ’90′s called the Ford Raider. Basically a Ford Courier(previous models of Ranger) wagon.

So there are already plenty of precedents for as new model Ranger wagon.

Andrew M

Yes I was going to say a Ford Raider return but thought not many people would remember it.

Here in OZ we have the Challenger which is the wagon version of the Triton

http://CARADVICE Rob

…and the Pathfinder is the wagon version of the Navara, so makes sense that Ford would do a wagon version of the Ranger to have a competitor in this segment. And if it looks as good as this it will be a winner. Bring it on!

Pete

Whoa, that exterior is awesome! Not so keen on the interior centre dash, may have to grow on me. This model looks promising!
Porcky

Has anyone any idea on the release date in Australia. My Ford dealer reckons all he knows is what he reads on the websites, but was keen to offer discounts on current models. He doesn’t think it will be released until November. Any ideas as I am keen to buy.
http://www.4x4pakistan.com/ 4x4Pakistan

This sporty new generation SUV features latest in-car comfort as well as whole suite of technologies like Electronic Stability Program that keeps its wheels strongly planted on the ground in all difficult terrains, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, Rear View Camera and voice control. With all these features, it delivers magnificent power, class-leading safety, efficient fuel economy and significant capability.

Dazza

Dont think Oz is getting the voice control included.

Dazza

So not much to say but when is it going to hit Oz.
No more info but release Q3.
Well it nearly Q3 and not a word.
Come on we cant wait for ever!!!!
nihat

KARDEŞ TÜRKİYEYE NE ZAMAN GELECEK VE FİATI NE OLACAK
Fmatt

Nihats nailed it. Insightful as always
NİHAT

Eger türkiyeye ne zaman gelecek bilen varsa yazsın ama biz yabancılar kadar şanslı degiliz malesef türkiyede araclar biraz pahalı ama amorok digerlerine ragmen ford cok güzel yapılmış gelir gelmez alacam
Chas

wildtrak cruise control yes or no???????Charles

DGKgm

yes

Dgkgm

yes wildtrak has cruse control, as well as hundred of other extras…. but its $ 64,000 and won’t be available till end of year due to floods in thialand…..