2012 Ford Ranger T6 Australian spy photos
May 30, 2009 by Paul Maric
Last time we spoke to our renowned spy photographer, he explained to us that the new lens he bought allows him to gain two F-stops of light, but the addition of a teleconverter takes away one F-stop …whatever that means.
Anyway, the main thing is that he has snapped photos of the 2012 Ford Ranger, codenamed the ‘T6′.
Photographed just outside Geelong, in Victoria (which is in Australia for our overseas visitors) it’s seen here in rep-mobile white.
It’s quite easy to tell that this prototype is based heavily on the Mazda BT-50. Put two photos of the car side-by-side and you’ll see what we mean. It’s presumed this prototype will form the bones of Ford’s global commercial vehicle platform and although it looks very similar to the BT-50, the headlights and doors are where the similarities end.
Our photographer says that both the dual-cab and single-cab vehicles seen pictured were fitted with diesel engines.
You can expect to see Ford’s current 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine carried over. Producing 115kW and 380Nm of torque, it provides more than enough pulling power. There has also been speculation that Ford will use a smaller capacity turbocharged petrol engine, along with a smaller capacity diesel motor.
There’s still no word from Ford on what will happen with the Ranger. All we know is that once Volkswagen’s Robust hits our shores, they will need to shape up. The commercial vehicle game has been stuck in the dark ages in terms of safety, features and versatility for some time now and Volkswagen says they plan on changing all that.
The global Ford Ranger program is being developed in Australia, so we’ll be showcasing our engineering efforts on a global scale. Hopefully the designers of the Ford Ka and Taurus have nothing to do with the project!
It’s still unclear whether Mazda will also be involved in the process, either with the production or sharing of body panels as was seen with the current Ranger and BT-50.
We can expect to see greater safety features such a stability control and friendlier pedestrian impact built into the 2012 Ranger, along with great fuel efficiency and features.
Stay tuned, we will bring you more information as it comes to hand.
Print it: 
If its Aussie-developed, its bound to have fine road-manners, and able to withstand all conditions! World’s best handling one-tonner? I think possibly. But the current Ranger/BT-50 are rubbish to get into the back-seat, which is why the Triton is so much of a better option!
What if they made it here???? Just a thought…
It will be completely irrelevant once Volkswagen release their truck. It will be better looking, better quality, just as tough with better engines and probably won’t be any worse to drive than a Touareg.
Looking at the spy pics, I would argue these are the Mazda BT-50 variant, not just looking like one.
If you look at the front, it has the familiar Mazda trapezoidal grille and the larger emblem plate (to fit the flying bird ‘M’).
As the story said, the lights are clearly mazda influence…
Interesting though, seeing the styleside read tray (obviously for the seppos too).
Jake02 Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
“If its Aussie-developed, its bound to have fine road-manners, and able to withstand all conditions!”
Like the Ford Territory and Holden Adventra? They sure work well in the Pilbara and Kimberly!
CB thats ridiculous, both cars weren’t designed for that. And I’m keeping a wait and see approach to the VW Robust. I mean in theory it should be great, particularly with VW’s range of drivetrains, but its a completely new market for VW, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes them a few goes to get it right.
I have to agree with Joofas as the ute in the spy shot is a Mazda not a Ford as this was in Carsguide a few weeks back thou it is said in the article…..its clear as it has been stated that the 5 point Mazda grille and the wings in the middle of the grille….The BT50/Ranger have a niche in the market and they work well for their size…..it will be great to see them grow in size…..The Mazda/Ford are made in the AutoAlliance Factory in Thailand so I thinking that both companies would be involved as the Ranger has shared components from Mazda…
C8,
You’re not serious right? At no point did I say that it can off-road, and was referring to temperatures, dust levels etc. These are the reason Australian cars are so good, they can withstand these temps unlike some imports. I remember reading in Wheels mag once that on holiday in Alice Springs, one of their journos hired a Nissan X-trail and the air-con completely packed-up and they returned it for a Naxima and the same thing happened again! That shows they werent developed for all markets in the world! This T6 will be though and if its devolped here the air-con will work in NT!
I cannot believe how many tools really are on this site!
I always thought Ford/Mazda would make the next gen Ranger larger to compete with Hilux/Triton/Navara ect.
Although I’m a bit concerned about the size of the rear door opening……its cramped in the current gen as it is!
Jake02 Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 9:52 am
“You’re not serious right? At no point did I say that it can off-road, and was referring to temperatures, dust levels etc. These are the reason Australian cars are so good, they can withstand these temps unlike some imports.”
Fair enough if you’re talking capital cities. What I’m saying is that the Ford and Holden – which were marketed as ‘go anywhere’ cars – couldn’t handle 52 degrees in say Karajini. How do I know? Join a 4WD club.
CA,
tell your spy photographer that he hasnt taken any photos of a single cab version as claimed.
Jake02,
“Worlds best handling 1 tonner???”
Well the Falcon ute already holds that crown by a long shot.
I agree with your mood that this would have to become the best handling of what we typiclly call jap utes.
This would have to be a mule for sure.
This is 3 years out from release, so on the looks side of things, this wont give any certain secrets away.
If it is part of the T6 project, its likely to be simply testing a few of the major components that will be changed or are being developed.
CB,
Jake02 was talking about ROAD manners, not OFF ROAD manners.
And in the reverse situation, the kings off the road, dont have on road manners.
Yes, it looks like a bloody Mazda more like it!!!!!
In the 2nd photo down. Does it have a Nissan Navara D40 tray on it?
Have to agree thats a mazda front end – mind you it’s not a good fit! They look to be interchangeable since fords facelift with the new headlights.
Interesting to see the bigger flares on the tray, almost looks like an american side step tray!
Those doors don’t look like a good fit either with something going on with the a-pillar too.
Yep, its called black tape.
It’s a mule with current but modified body work on it. Simple. Whilst Ford don’t export large volumes of cars, they export engineering knowledge. They did the last model Fiesta sedan for India, this ‘T6′ program and some work on the Global RWD program for Ford US.
The T6 program is worth about $500m or thereabouts.
A new engine and driveline development test centre which will service Ford and anyone else for matter has just been opened (April 2009). The capabilities are unique in the Southern Hemisphere.
NB The facility has been put to use already with the Falcon now achieving 9.9L/100km economy.
I was thinking the T6 would be a “cut in half” territory with the RTV’s rear end but obviously with a much higher ride height and wider track and then use the V6 diesel thats coming soon that way development costs could be spread over a new territory, RTV ute and Light truck. But this looks like its going to be similar to the current Ranger/BT50? What a shame.
Everyone stop with their theories about what this car is!
It is the T6 ute being developed by Ford.
It is a Ford developement mule that is using current model parts (whether they be Ford or Mazda) to test drivetrains etc.
The T6 is bigger, wider longer etc
What you see are current model parts stretched, chopped and modified to suit for testing purposes.
This happens with every car company around the globe.
Alec and Phil C. are correct, these are just development Mules so share the basic body (cut up and modificed) from the existing model. It’s been said in the enthusiast forums that Mazda are responsible for the modified bodies hense the mazda face on them.
As the existing Ranger and Mazda BT-50 share so much with only the nose and tund diffent, it doesn’t matter what face is on the mule, it’s what’s underneath that counts.
Some images available on the net show that the front suspension may have lost the torsion bar springs and moved to coils. The body is about 100mm longer with the twin cab showing about 100mm added to the back door, plus another 100mm in rear wheel setback, making a 200mm longer wheelbase.
Rumour has it that Ford Australia have a very active 4WD program and have been bashing the mules through the bush in order to get it right. Lots of things have changed due to this program, whicg all bodes well for a good, strong 4 wheel driver.
Sorry, I meant Tub!
“As the existing Ranger and Mazda BT-50 share so much with only the nose and “Tub” different, it doesn’t matter what face is on the mule, it’s what’s underneath that counts.”
Andrew M Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
“Jake02 was talking about ROAD manners, not OFF ROAD manners.
And in the reverse situation, the kings off the road, dont have on road manners.”
Agreed, no argument from me.
If this ain’t the ugliest looking jap truck then i don’t know what is…….VOMIT
this is a Mazda ute, but I’m not sure as the Ford and Mazda utes are the same anyway, bit of an anti climax really I was expecting more.
Judging buy the hideous facelift Ford has just given the Ranger, I should have known it wouldn’t be much.
Long reign the king – Hi-lux!
Grease Monkey, how did you miss that this is just an early prototype and that the real thing will look vastly different. The cut N shut panels are a easy giveawy.
Go back to your grease pit ’cause you aint contributing much here. Bananas anyone?
DesignEngr,
perhaps with all the grease around, it slipped right past him???
Wow that’s really insightful Monkey Man! From cut and pasted, heavily cammoflaged engineering test mules you cansee what the final product looks like and that it is as bad as you think the current face lift is!! Funny how Wildtrack (The ugliest of the PK series is) is in extremely short supply because so many love it’s looks!!
Frontman,
I wasnt a fan of the facelift either, but in the flesh it aint that bad.
Wildtrack on the other hand looks awesome
i wonder what this thing does at NCAP/ANCAP?
3 stars?
Tony, I know you’re only being negative because it’s a Ford product, however expect the final version to be 5 stars (or very close to it).
I am simply enquiring how safe this product it.
You do well to look at youtube and other sources for crash tests of the of the current Ranger, the BT50, the Colorado/Rodeo/D-Max and the d22/d40 Navara. The internet is filled with such data.
They vary between 1 and 3 stars.
Here’s an example:
http://videos.streetfire.net/v.....203561.htm
With all due respect I do not believe that Ford/Mazda will release a 5 star ute anytime this decade or even early next decade despite how confident you seem.
My question is this… I myself sometimes drive a company ute (the excreble Rodeo) and many families drive their kids around in it. It is 2 stars. I believe this is a safety issue. I also do not believe Ford/Isuzu or Nissan or whoever think is is a serious issue given they’d rather sell cheap $25k trucks and skirt safety issues by classifying them as ‘commericals’. It is probably even more offensive as the utes get into the $40k+ range like the Navara.
Ford’s inclusion of stability control is good though.
Tony,
You can get a Ford ute in 5 star guise…….
The Falcon ute.
This new “T6″ will be the first ute designed outside of the typical location.
Aussies know how to engineer vehicles.
If it carries traits of the Falcon or Territory, high 4-5 star isnt very far fetched
The 1 star ute you are referring to must have been the failed test of the Navara.
It was later re-tested and achieved 3 stars.
To me it’s a bit disingenuous to say the Falcon ute gets a 5 star. So it should just like the VE ute since they are based on the passenger car.
And if I’m paying $40k for a ute I would expect the same safety you see in a $40k car. 3 stars is nothing to crow about.
btw. I drive a Nissan and a Ford. I get called a lot of things… to a Korean car lover to a Ford hater. That is all wrong. I will champion whatever product is the best regardless of manufacturer.
Tony,
it doesnt really matter what its based on, it still does the same job as those not based on sedans.
A Falcon ute will lug around 1 tonne on the back better than a typical jap ute, so it is also a genuine commercial vehicle.
If they can put good safety together in a Falcon ute, there shouldnt be many excuses not to do it in a Japper.
Ford and Holden took their large cars from 4 stars to a 5 star, why do you not see it possible that a japper ute cant do it. The Hilux is a 4 star.
btw. I have a Mazda and a Ford.
My driveway consists of an FG XR ute and an SP23
I also believe I have “championed” the better product by putting my dollars on them.
that’s all well and good but I think a lot of people (including myself) are interested in jacked up 4wd crew cabs like colorados/d-max/bt50s/navaras but are put off by the lack of safety
IMO a Ford or Holden ute is no way a replacement for a true 4wd turbodiesel crew cab ute – driven a Holden Crewman (what a piece of shit)
not interested in hilux (too expensive) nor the d40 navara (bit of an unproved unreliable platform) but something like the d-max is a well proven platform being a mainstay in south east asia
i like my XR6T with the ZF 6 spd but am certainly no fan of Ford at all
Fair enough Tony,
I just cant put myself into a “jacked up” true 4WD because I demand a bit of comfort and decent handling.
I always said previous to this article if the aussie engineers show the talent they did on the Territory, they may have just made a vehicle thats a worthy alternative to my string of Falcon utes.
Also what I cant stand is the gear ratios in the jappers nor the 20 turns lock to lock either
Tha Falcons also got better pulling power than even the diesels
Are you all serious. hahahah . THAT IS A 2009 Mazda Bt 50. changed front bumper slightly and mazda rear tail lights. Ford brought out a brand new PK Ranger in 2009. looks similar to the bt 50 but still way different. Also ford come with a color coated front bumber. Get your facts straight!
Hi All,
I’m Working in T6 for last 2 years.
Have you seen interiors, which will be released??? It’s more like a Car than a pick-up truck.
This truck will be lunched with both Ford & Mazda brands.
In different countries, 1st in Thailand, Then Australia, South Africa & Argentina.
This car packaging is better than any other prevoius models (interiors). As Ford Autralia is struglling to keep their name up infront of their US Bosses, Ford Australia is tring to prove themself.
About Star rating, yes it will get a good rating in Euro Ncap. About varients, it has single & dbl cab varients…..
Team Lead T6, learn how to spell. And if you do work for Ford keep your mouth shut. Remember you are bound by commercial confidentially. If they find out who you are, you may just no longer work at Ford…..
where will the t6 ranger be manufactured?