First unveiled as the Ranger MAX Concept at the Thai Motor Expo in November last year, the new Ford Ranger facelift is now on sale in Malaysia as a CBU import from its regional production center in Rayong, Thailand.
The Ranger’s 2.5 litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine with lag-free VGT puts out 143 PS and 330Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual (RM83,888 Peninsular and RM86,388 East Malaysia) or a 5-speed automatic transmission (RM88,888 Peninsular and RM92,388 East Malaysia). if you buy it now you can get a free accessory package worth RM2,000 while stocks last.
Ford seems to have abandoned its “a truck should look like a truck” stand that it took when it first launched this edition of the Ranger, as the new facelift now has alot more curves that was previously reserved for the Mazda Fighter. Much of the front is new, with new headlamps and new fender panels etc but most of the rear remains the same. The new look was designed by a team based in Melbourne.
On the interior there are 2 airbags, and an AM/FM and MP3-capable CD changer with AUX input. There are various conveniences in the interior such as a slide-out tray that can support up to 10kg and a two-level arm rest storage area. The rear bed has dimensions of 1,530mm by 1,456mm.
As for off-road capability, Ford claims a 34 degree approach angle and a 33 degree departure angle, with an underside that is said to be well armoured. The rear suspension uses leaf springs with oversized 32mm gas shocks, while the front uses a double wishbone with torsion bar spring design. The fuel tank, transfer case, engine and transmission are protected by steel plating.
There is a low-range gearing reduction of 2.48:1 for the auto and 2.02:1 for the manual. The rear differential is a torque-sensing multiple LSD to help split torque balance optimally between the left and right rear wheels whenever the situation calls for it.
Look after the jump for a gallery of the Ranger.
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