Paul Tan's Automotive News » Ford

Global Ford Ranger Challenge – vote for the best video

Anthony Lim — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:45:54 +0000

The Malaysian edition of the Global Ford Ranger Challenge is moving into its final leg – the five local finalists selected earlier in the month have done their respective challenges, and these have been filmed by a crew from Ford.

Now, the videos are up, and you can help determine who will end up the winner of a new Ford Ranger. To recap, the five finalists are horticulturist Zolkaplie Mustafa, utility engineer Peter Charles, admin officer Denny Lim, IT technician Wong Kok Wei, as well as 4X4 modifier, enthusiast and sea diver Peter Choy.

The voting phase runs from today until June 22, and the Grand Prize winner will be selected, based collectively on the total number of thumbs up generated from online votes as well as the decision from the panel of judges.

The winner will drive away with a Ranger XLT 2.2L Manual as well as The Malaysia Ranger Challenge merchandise, but the second and third placed guys won’t walk away empty handed.

The first runner-up will receive RM9,888 in cash and Global Ranger Challenge merchandise, as well as a RM10,000 voucher to purchase the new Ranger. Meanwhile, the second runner-up will receive RM3,888 in cash, a RM5,000 voucher to offset his new Ranger purchase and Global Ranger Challenge merchandise.

Voters aren’t left out either. Every 50th, 100th, 150th voter and so on will be in the running to win a Casio G-Shock watch, though they’ll need to answer a tie-breaker question – the best creative answer of the lot bags the Special Edition All-New Ford Ranger Casio G Shock watch, the same as the one in the ‘tweet a pix with a Ford Ranger’ photo contest.

The rest will get one item from the available Ford merchandise list while stocks last. Oh, in order for you to be eligible to cast your vote, you’ll need to register yourself online at www.fordrangerchallenge.com.my, which is also where you’ll find the five finalists’ videos.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Ranger comes well equipped with creature comforts

Chris Ng — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:34:47 +0000

While the upcoming Ford Ranger is a rugged 4×4 truck on the outside, it does not mean that the Ranger needs to be stripped out on the inside. Instead, the Ranger is packed with technologies that you would not normally find in a run-of-the-mill truck.

For instance, the truck features the Bluetooth Voice Control system that lets the driver operate paired mobile phone, audio system and dual zone climate control using voice commands. The driver’s voice is picked up by a microphone and is activated with a button on the steering wheel.

Both hands can safely grasp the steering while making a phone call, skipping music track, changing radio stations and tweaking the temperature. Drivers can also control the iPod and other external devices plugged into the USB port by using voice commands as well.

Since the audio system is part of the Human Machine Interface in the central control and is seamlessly integrated into the centre dashboard. Potential thieves have to look elsewhere. The central control panel is inspired by the latest communication devices, which also includes with a joystick as a control element and soft feel number pad to entire phone numbers.

The basis for the electrical architecture is shared with the upcoming Focus and the current Mondeo. It comes from Ford’s common global electrical architecture that allows engineers to share components and features between vehicles. Upgrades can also be easily done when new features roll out.

In sharing the electrical platform, Ranger will have cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic wiper park, auto defrosting and electrochromatic rear view mirror that automatically dims to prevent glare from too-bright headlights of cars at the back. There is also a Thatcham-rated alarm system complete with interior motion sensors, battery back-up siren and dead locks.

The 4×4 also features automatic headlights that respond to low light conditions, puddle lights than turns on when unlocking the vehicle and Follow-Me-Home sage lights that remain on for a minute after you’ve switched off the engine. The Ranger also automatically activates the hazard lights when the driver hits the brakes suddenly, warning the drivers behind to slow down immediately.

There is one more feature that drivers will find useful in the Ranger – the Rear View Camera System. It displays images not on the usual monitor on the dashboard but on a section of the rear view mirror. The system will also display marker lines that indicate the width and distance to the closest objects.

Parking sensors are ultrasonic, meaning it beeps quicker when objects become nearer. It will also display an image of the pickup truck with sensor indicators that can also give drivers an approximate distance of the nearest object.

With the Ranger, not only do you get the go-everywhere capability of a truck but also the comfort and convenience of a modern sedan.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Mondeo and S-MAX go 240 PS – RM194k and RM199k

Anthony Lim — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:35:00 +0000

If you’ve been eyeing the Ford Mondeo or S-MAX, the neat news is that the juiced-up variants said to be arriving are finally here, without fuss or fanfare – Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has quietly introduced the 240 PS EcoBoost versions for both vehicles, and these replace the previous 203 PS models.

The uprated version of the 2.0 litre EcoBoost mill offers 240 PS at 6,000 rpm and 340 Nm at 1,900 to 3,500 rpm. Aside from the increased output, the vehicles get some revised kit, especially in the case of the Mondeo, to offset the price increase that has also come about.

The 240 PS Mondeo, which goes for RM193,888 on-the-road with insurance, gets a full Titanium bodykit comprising a new grille, front, rear and side skirting, and there’s also mention of a new design 17-inch alloy wheel in the brochure.

For the interior, the previous leather and Alcantara for the seats and door cards have been replaced by full Nappa leather, in a Windsor Ebony shade. Also, a Sony audio system with nine speakers goes on in place of the non-Sony eight-speaker system found on the 203 PS version, and there’s now USB connectivity.

Less change on the S-MAX, which gets a fixed panoramic sunroof as the sole new item, though the price for the people mover is still under the 200 grand mark, at RM198,888, again OTR with insurance.

Gallery and brochures after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Global Ford Ranger Challenge – five local finalists picked

Danny Tan — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:17:02 +0000

Ford Malaysia has announced the list of five finalists who will be putting the new Ford Ranger through “some of the toughest tests imaginable” as part of the Global Ford Ranger Challenge. Click here to find out what this is all about.

Horticulturist Zolkaplie Mustafa, utility engineer Peter Charles, admin officer Denny Lim, IT technician Wong Kok Wei, as well as 4X4 modifier, enthusiast and sea diver Peter Choy were selected from 300 entries. What are the challenges in store?

Zolkaplie will take the Ranger T6 on a mission to trap and relocate wild animals from Putrajaya to the Hulu Langat forest reserve. Peter Charles will test the truck on a 30 km off-road course, with a 700 kg load of palm oil, from his village in Pitas to a collection center in Paitan, both in Sabah.

Meanwhile, Lim wants to test the pick-up truck in a five-hour expedition from Betong, Kuching to Kampung Tuba, which will include off-roading, river crossings and climbing hills and mountains.

For his challenge, Wong will be transporting and relocating various trees from his nursery to be planted at specific locations while manoeuvring through the urban jungle. Last but not least, Choy intends to exercise the Ranger in an excursion to a remote Orang Asli settlement in Pos Piah, Perak. This place can only be reached with a serious 4X4.

The challenges will be filmed by a crew from Ford and videos will be uploaded online later in the month for the public to vote their favourite. The most popular challenge will then be selected based on votes and judges’ final decision.

The winner will be announced at the launch event of the new Ranger, where he will drive away a Ranger XLT 2.2 Manual. Online voters will be entered into a lucky draw.

Find out more at www.fordrangerchallenge.com.my. Read our review of the new Ranger here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford and Mazda pump in $27m to boost AAT plant capacity

Danny Tan — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:30:09 +0000

More news from Ford, which told us their plans for Malaysia earlier this week. The Blue Oval and Mazda, joint owners of the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong, have announced an additional US$27 million investment in the shared plant. The money is to further upgrade the pick-up truck line and increase capacity by another 20,000 units per year.

AAT produces the all-new Ford Ranger T6 and new Mazda BT-50 pick-up trucks for Thailand and the world. The new investment will include facility upgrades such as additional robotic equipment and tooling to help increase line speed and output. The new capacity will start to come online next month.

The additional 20k units bring the total annual capacity of AAT’s pick-up truck line to 195,000 units, bringing overall plant capacity to 295,000 units per year, including passenger cars like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2 and Mazda 3.

This latest cash injection increases Ford and Mazda’s total joint investment in the AAT facility to nearly US$2 billion since operations began in 1995. Last year, both companies jointly-invested US$350 million to support facility upgrades and supplier tooling for production of the new Ranger and BT-50.

The new Ranger will be launching middle of this year. Read our test drive report of the impressive T6 here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford will launch six new models in the next 18 months

Chris Ng — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:15:51 +0000

Ford Malaysia recently had hosted a lunch meeting with selected members of the media and the top guys of Ford, who were on a very short business trip. In that meeting, a few things were discussed.

Ford has big plans for the Malaysian market. The American car company now considers Malaysia to be one of their most important markets this side of South East Asia and the world. Not surprising as Ford in Malaysia experience exceptional performance in 2011, something that they have not experienced since 1997.

Retail sales have risen to 145% from the previous year. It translates to 7,188 vehicles sold, of which 4,297 comes from the sales of the Fiesta. And, although the current Ford Focus and Ford Ranger are up for replacements, the company has recorded increased sales in both products. The Ranger sold 2,274 units (more than 17% increase) and the Focus sold 263 (an increase of 58%) last year.

Within the next 18 months, Ford will be launching six vehicles into the market. We already know two of the six – the Ranger and the Focus – that will be launched this year. They remain silent on the other four vehicles but hinted that there might be CBU models will be in the mix. These six products will also bring eight new powertrains. The list includes engines from the EcoBoost catalog as well as its diesel offerings.

Incidentally, the new Ford Ranger have already garnered more than 600 bookings and the numbers are expected to increase by the time the 4×4 truck is officially launched.

Ford will also add five more showrooms to its portfolio in 2012. They also have plans to convert some of the existing 42 showrooms into 3S centres as well, although no definite numbers are given.

The American car company also has a new global tagline called Go Further. In a nutshell it means that Ford is committed to instill the core characteristics of Quality, Green, Safe and Smart into all of their products. And to do so, Ford will be engaging closely with their partner-dealers, suppliers, the community and the employee to gauge customer needs, wants and satisfaction.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Fiesta Best-Dressed Contest sees five Munich-bound

Anthony Lim — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:21:23 +0000

I’m not in the habit of attending weekend events, but this one was a bit different, if only to see the closing off of an entire section of Jalan Telawi 3 on a Saturday morning. The Ford-organised Best-Dressed Ford Fiesta Contest, which ran on April 7, saw the road chock full of the little B-segment hatch, all arranged in parade fashion.

As it was a best-dressed competition, the participating vehicles came pretty much decked out; there was plenty of decal work on call, showcasing the talents of the likes of Motorsports Playground and Getto Vehicle Graphic & Wrap. No shortage of individual flair on show, as the photos attest to.

Considering that a four-day trip to Munich – to catch the UEFA Champions League final on May 19 at the Allianz Arena – was up for grabs, everything was pretty much football-based; a number of cars sported footie themes, and the contestants even had to describe to the SDAC and Ford judges who their favourite player was, in relation to their cars.

In the end, five participants (originally, only three, but adding two more was a neat touch by the organisers) were chosen as the ticket winners (yes, the one with Leo Messi was obviously one of the picks!), with a number of Sony PlayStation 3 units as consolation prizes.

Dressing up, in this case, paid off handsomely for quite a few people over the weekend, notably for those in the Ford Fiesta Fan Club Malaysia (FFC), which turned out for the competition in good numbers.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Global Ford Ranger Challenge – deadline extended

Anthony Lim — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:01:25 +0000

Ford Malaysia has announced that the deadline for submission of ideas to the Malaysian leg of the Global Ford Ranger Challenge has been extended to April 15, due to overwhelming response.

In case you aren’t already aware of it, the idea is to suggest a tough challenge for the new T6 Ford Ranger, and explaining why that unique challenge is the best way to test the new truck’s capabilities.

Five finalists will be selected to get behind the wheel of a Ranger to turn their tough challenge into reality – a new Ranger will be loaned to each of the five finalists, who will carry out their nominated challenge with the help of a professional film crew provided by Ford.

Footage of each participant’s challenge will then be uploaded on the Global Ford Ranger Challenge website for the general public to view and vote for. The neat news is that the one with the best challenge, as chosen by the general public, will drive away with his/her very own Ranger XLT 2.2L (manual transmission).

Thus far, some of the ultimate challenge ideas submitted by Malaysian drivers include a demanding 13-hour off-road drive from Kuching to Long Seridan in Sarawak, a peacock bass fishing trip to Tanjung Tualang in Perak and a traversing expedition over the ever-challenging terrain at Kuala Mu.

So, still time to submit your ideas for the challenge online, which you can do so here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford EcoSport set to be second model built at Ford’s new Thai plant – Fiesta goes the 1.5 Ti-VCT route in Thailand

Anthony Lim — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:59:05 +0000

Ford’s EcoSport SUV, which made its debut at the Delhi Auto Expo in January and which has been confirmed as being ASEAN-bound, is set to be the second model built at the new Ford Thailand Manufacturing plant in Rayong. The plant, set to open on May 3, will initally build the Focus for the ASEAN market.

The production slot of the B-segment compact SUV, which sits on a Fiesta platform, was mentioned in passing on a slide in a briefing detailing the workings and capabilities of the upcoming FTM plant (the pix is from its Delhi debut). The briefing was arranged specifically for the Malaysian press contingent during the media preview of the third-generation Focus in Bangkok.

No production schedules – and thus, probable market debut dates – were revealed, but we’ve got word that the EcoSport, when it arrives, is very likely to wear a normally-aspirated 1.5 litre Ti-VCT engine, the same that is now equipping Thai Fiestas. Conversely, the EcoSport made its debut in India shod with a 1.0 litre three-cylinder EcoBoost lump in its 120 PS and 170 Nm form.

The region’s buyers aren’t going to see the particular EcoBoost unit – or any of the new family of turbocharged mills, for that matter – in ASEAN production cars for a while. Malaysia, of course, already has the Mondeo and S-MAX wearing the 2.0 litre, in its 203 PS output guise.

A quick aside on the last – things are set to change, because the incoming 2012 versions of the Mondeo and S-MAX will be dressed up to 240 PS forms. There’s an expected hike in pricing, about RM10k for the S-MAX and RM13-14k for the Mondeo, but the vehicles will feature additional kit and features; the Mondeo gets a full Titanium-spec bodykit, among other things.

Getting back to the 1.5 litre Ti-VCT unit, that one offers 109 PS at 6,300 rpm and 140 Nm at 4,300 for output numbers. In the Thai Fiesta, the unit is mated to the six-speed PowerShift transmission; aside from the revised capacity for the engine, the car continues on specifications-wise, based on the equipment list as seen on the display examples at the show.

The displacement revision has all to do with getting the Fiesta compliant with the country’s first-car progamme, which was approved in September last year and covers cars purchased from September 16, 2011 up to December 31 this year. In it, first-time car buyers are able to deduct excise tax paid for the purchase of the car from their personal income tax.

The tax-refund policy covers three types of vehicles – passenger cars with engines of 1,200-1,500 cc, double-cab trucks, and regular pickup trucks of 2,500-3,000 cc capacity.

For the passenger car part of the scheme, car buyers eligible for tax refunds must be at least 21 years old, and must hold ownership of the cars for at least five years. Their vehicles must not be worth more than one million baht, with an engine capacity not exceeding 1.5 litres.

The cars must also be manufactured in Thailand, excluding those produced with imported used parts. Car buyers will be refunded the actual amount of tax they have paid, with the ceiling of the refund set at 100,000 baht per car. As for the refund, that will be made from October 1, 2013 onwards.

The take up for the scheme – which aims to get at least 500,000 vehicles sold in its duration – has been reported to be slow, with only around 6,000 vehicles sold thus far through the plan.

Some final Ford-related news from Bangkok. On display at the Ford stand at the show, which opens to the public today, is an Australian-made Territory SUV; the vehicle has been brought in to sample response for a probable introduction in the Kingdom. And as for the new Ranger, that one’s flying – 3,000 already sold and 10,000 orders in the first four months in the Kingdom means it’s all chugging along for the pick-up.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Focus – third-gen makes ASEAN debut

Anthony Lim — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:02:30 +0000

[UPDATE: New photos from displays at Bangkok Motor Show added, and further notes expanded in the story.]

Ford is set to unveil its third-generation Focus for the ASEAN market later this morning at the 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show, and the C-segment offering will arrive in both sedan and five-door hatch forms when it makes its market debut in mid-year.

Ahead of its debut, the C346 Focus was previewed to the media yesterday in downtown Bangkok, with an Ingot Silver version of the sedan being showcased – the car looks good in the metal and has significant presence, to say the least.

From a design perspective, it looks cleaner and better integrated than the outgoing C307’s four-door form, from nose to tail. The tail end especially – shaped by Australian designer Todd Willing – hangs together more organically.

The car will go on sale in the region’s markets with two engine choices, and while there are no EcoBoost mills in sight just yet, the new normally-aspirated Duratec 2.0 litre Ti-VCT GDi engine should hold the line quite ably, Ford believes.

For starters, it’s not a slouch in terms of output – the lump offers almost 20% more power than the outgoing Focus’ 2.0 litre Duratec, with 170 PS and 200 Nm of torque for figures. It’ll be partnered to a six-speed, dual dry-clutch PowerShift transmission, replete with paddle shifters.

The second powertrain is the Duratec 1.6-litre Ti-VCT engine, no stranger to Fiesta owners, which serves up 125 PS and 159 Nm, matched with either the six-speed Ford PowerShift transmission or a five-speed iB5 manual gearbox. Malaysia is set to get only the 2.0 variant form, according to the SDAC people we spoke to at the launch.

Two trim levels abound for the new car, these being a high-series Titanium+ as well as a Sport+ variant – among the more notable distinguishing features between both the lines is the inclusion of a Safety Pack in the higher-specification model.

Plenty of features to be found in this one, starting with the Active Grille Shutter system – this one uses vents to automatically control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine, to significantly reduce drag and help reduce the car’s wind noise at speed, while contributing to improved fuel efficiency.

Elsewhere, the list also includes Active Park Assist, which offers totally hands-free parallel parking capability, an Active City Stop collision-mitigation system as well as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which Volvo owners will find quite familiar.

There’s also Smart Keyless Entry, which locks or unlocks the door when the driver grabs the door handle, and push button start ignition, and Ford is also playing up the car’s SYNC connectivity package, which provides hands-free, voice-activated in-car connectivity. From voice calls and reading and replying SMS to music playback, it’s all here with this one.

You can access music via voice command, with search command functions for artist, album, track or genre. As for SMS, a message can be read out in voice to you, and you can select an appropriate quick reply from a toggle list of determined responses, or simply call the sender back via phone. There’s even conference call ability on this one, if you’re into that sort of thing.

The system is a progression of that found in the Fiesta’s (it’s not based on the same architecture), and a short sampling of its workings through a static display dashboard at the preview shows it to be a significant jump – it’s inherently smoother in operation, and the interface’s logic is superior.

For one, the phonebook access now reads names as is from the phone, at least from the Google Nexus One’s directory – the Fiesta system lists last names first, so John Doe becomes Doe John; the Focus interface stacks it right.

The kit list also includes dual-zone electronic air-conditioning, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, cruise control, powered sunroof and an auto-dimming rear view mirror, among other things.

Passive safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, side front airbags and segment-exclusive side curtain airbags for front- and rear-seat occupants. Meanwhile, the Electronic Stability Program incorporates Emergency Brake Assist, Hill Launch Assist and Anti-Lock Brake System, which includes Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

In terms of ride and handling, NVH levels have been reduced and driving dynamics improved by the increased stiffness of the body structure, which is 30% more rigid than the C307. And the car will also feature Torque Vectoring Control fitted as standard equipment.

The system behaves like a limited-slip differential to constantly balance distribution of torque between the driven front wheels, which results in reduced understeer, improved traction and better turn-in. The company pointed out that in terms of agility, precision and – most noticeably – comfort, the new car strips the C307.

The Focus is set to begin scale production at the company’s new US$450 million manufacturing facility in Rayong in mid year, and the production will supply nine markets, in the ASEAN region as well as other countries. As for Malaysia, expect the car to arrive in the third-quarter, around September.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Production Ford Tourneo Custom announced, on sale 2012

Danny Tan — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:51:21 +0000

Remember the Tourneo Custom Concept that Ford wheeled out for Geneva? It looked production ready, and as expected, Ford has announced that it will go on sale in Europe and other global markets later this year. The production version seen here will be unveiled at the 2012 Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show in the UK next month.

The production Tourneo Custom wears the same Kinetic design used on Ford’s passenger cars and is virtually identical to the Geneva concept. Design highlights include a bold rising shoulder line, flush glazing, distinctive trapezoidal grille and prominent wheel lips.

Available in eight or nine-seat configurations, the Tourneo offers a choice of short wheelbase (4.97m) and long wheelbase (5.34m) versions. The additional length of the LWB translates into extra luggage space behind the third-row seats At a height of less than two metres, the Tourneo Custom comfortably complies with most car park height limits.

Inside, the dashboard is space ship-like relative to the Transit’s. Much of the tech found in Ford’s cars are included, as is a steering that’s adjustable for reach. The rear seats are a completely new design that can be folded into multiple configurations and removed in segments or completely. The cabin is fully-trimmed.

The front-wheel drive Tourneo is based on a new global platform, engineered for car-like dynamics and comfort. The powertrain is an improved version of Ford’s 2.2L Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with three power ratings: 100, 125 and 155 PS.

Featuring a six-speed manual gearbox and standard Auto-Start-Stop, the van delivers combined fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 km.

Production of the Tourneo Custom will start from mid-2012 in Kocaeli, Turkey. In the pipeline is a larger and higher payload rear-wheel drive Transit, also scheduled for a 2012 reveal.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Ranger XLT roadshow: iPads and G-Shocks for grabs

Chris Ng — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:01:24 +0000

Here’s your chance to take a closer look at a 4×4 truck that has a wading depth of 800 mm, which Danny has driven in Thailand. That’s right folks, Ford is kicking off the ‘Ranger versus The World’ roadshow with a five-day exhibition at The Curve’s Centre Court in Mutiara Damansara between March 21 to March 25.

The roadshow will showcase the new Ranger XLT in its automatic and manual versions. If you like what you see, you can pre-book a unit during the roadshow. For encouragement, Ford will be giving away very nice goodies to the first 2,000 customers. The first 500 customers to make a booking will get an Apple iPad and the next 1,500 bookings will get a special edition Casio G-Shock watch that’s worth RM750. Yes, very cool indeed.

The event will also give you the opportunity to try a first-of-its-kind ‘All-New Ranger 360-degree’ racing simulator that lets you experience driving on some of the worst travelling conditions; you’ll be racing down a dirt track, with winners taking home prizes.

What else? There are also strength challenges that could see you go home with exclusive Ford merchandise. Hey, you could always use something with a blue oval.

Additionally, Ford will also be setting up a station where you can find out more on how to win a Ranger XLT 2.2 litre manual transmission truck. It’s called the Global Ford Ranger Challenge that asks you to suggest ideas to test the capabilites of the truck. Five entrants selected will be able to turn their idea into reality. So get your brains cracking.

If you can’t make it to The Curve, the roadshow will make it’s way to Hills Shopping Mall in Kuching (April 4 to April 8), Citi Mall in Kota Kinabalu (April 18 to April 22) and finally 1 Utama in Bandar Utama (April 25 to April 29).

For more information, visit www.ford.net.my or www.facebook.com/FordRangerMY.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Tweet a pix with a Ford Ranger – it might land you a prize

Anthony Lim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:23:49 +0000

The folks at Ford have come up with a photo contest involving the Ranger, where all you have to do is snap a photo of yourself with the pickup truck, tweet the pix and tag it on Twitter, and you’ll be in the running to win some cool weekly prizes.

You don’t have to go out of the way to find the all-new Ranger, which of course happens to be in town making the rounds in a series of roadshows – any good ol’ Ranger will do as your pix pal. If you still can’t find one, hunt down the Ford radio cruisers with HitzFM and 988FM on their trips out and about.

What you do need is to be creative, because the entries will naturally be judged for creativity and quality. So, snap the pix, caption it, tweet it and tag it (@fordrangermy), with a prerequisite being that you’re required to submit the photo with a hashtag (say, #newfordranger). That’s all there is to it.

Prizes include Ford exclusive merchandise worth up to RM200, and the best photo in the whole contest will grab the grand prize, which is a Special Edition All-New Ford Ranger Casio G Shock watch worth RM759. The contest runs from today, March 16 to April 29, which gives you time to go out and get that winning shot.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford B-MAX – 1.0L EcoBoost, B-segment, no B-pillars

Danny Tan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:12:00 +0000

You might have seen the Ford B-MAX on this website before, since it was shown at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month, but the B-segment MPV is making its motor show debut at Geneva.

Based on Ford’s global B-car platform, which of course also underpins the popular Fiesta, the B-MAX is billed as a premium compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV). The MAV is just over four metres in length, only 11 cm longer than the five-door Fiesta and a full 32 cm shorter than the C-MAX MPV.

Ford reckons that it’s perfectly placed to meet the fast-growing demand for downsized cars, suited to congested urban conditions without making any compromise on space or passenger comfort.

One of the main highlights here is the Ford Easy Access Door System. Entry and exit is made easy with hinged front doors and sliding rear doors integrating the central body pillars. Note the lack of traditional B pillars. When both front and rear doors are open, there’s a clear aperture of more than 1.5 metres wide. This is around twice the width offered by competitors with alternative door concepts, Ford says.

Also highlighted is the B-MAX’s class-leading fuel economy and the lowest CO2 emissions for both petrol and diesel engines with ECOnetic Technologies. It groups Electric Power Assisted Steering, Gear Shift Indicator and Ford Eco Mode driver information system. Smart Regenerative Charging, which charges the battery at the most economical point in a journey, also features on selected engines.

The petrol engine line-up is led by the three-cylinder 1.0L EcoBoost, available in 100 PS and 120 PS versions. Equipped with Auto-Start-Stop, the 120 PS unit achieves class-leading CO2 emissions of 114 g/km and fuel consumption of 4.9L per 100 km. Two Duratorq TDCi diesels are available – a 95 PS 1.6L (104 g/km, 4.0L/100 km) and a 75 PS 1.5L delivering 109 g/km and 4.1L/100 km.

The B-MAX is the first European car to offer SYNC, Ford’s voice-activated, in-car connectivity system featuring Emergency Assistance, which is designed to assist occupants in the event of a crash.

Besides that, users can connect to mobile phones and music players by Bluetooth or USB, make hands-free calls and control music and other functions using voice commands. It can also read text messages aloud from phones.

Finally, the B-MAX also the first vehicle in its segment to offer Active City Stop. This pretty much works like Volvo’s City Safety system that helps prevent low speed bum kissing collisions.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Fiesta ST – 180 PS production version makes debut

Anthony Lim — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:11:18 +0000

Ford is debuting its production-ready Fiesta ST in Geneva, in advance of the performance hatchback going on sale in Europe in the first half of 2013. The all-new model is powered by a 180 PS and 240 Nm 1.6 litre EcoBoost mill, and this is good enough to give the car a 0-100 km/h time of under seven seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h.

Developed by Team RS, the European arm of the company’s Global Performance Vehicles group, the Fiesta ST delivers significant ride-and-handling improvements through the introduction of the brand’s enhanced Torque Vectoring Control system, three Electronic Stability Control modes as well as a specially-tuned chassis that sits 15 mm lower than the standard Fiesta.

The high-contrast red and black interior features unprecedented levels of equipment and specification to suit the sporting driver, with Recaro sports seats appearing as standard kit in a Fiesta ST for the first time.

The car – which features Ford’s latest design signatures, including a large trapezoidal grille – is also equipped with MyKey, which allows owners to limit performance and ensure activation of safety features for when less-experienced drivers use the vehicle, as well as SYNC, Ford’s voice-activated in-car connectivity system.

Production of the hot hatch is confirmed for Europe, but Ford says it remains open to introducing the high-performance small car to other regions, including North America.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Dress up your Ford Fiesta creatively – you could win the chance to catch the UEFA Champions League final live!

Anthony Lim — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:19:55 +0000

Right, listen up, Ford Fiesta owners. Ford has officially kicked off the Best Dressed Ford Fiesta Contest, which is a fun and engaging competition that will see the top three participants with the best and most creatively dressed Fiestas heading to Munich to catch the UEFA Champions League Final live!

Participation, which is open to all current Fiesta owners in Malaysia, is easy enough, really. Yes, you’ll need to own a Fiesta, for starters, and all you need to do is dress-up your fiesty little ride as creatively as possible, and this can be through car accessories or decals.

The dressed-up vehicle will then need to be driven to a one-day judging event in the Klang Valley, on April 7, to determine the top three winners, with selection based on quality and creativity. In the event of a tie, the final decision will be determined in a mini penalty shoot-out.

The top three picks will bag a four-day trip each to catch the UEFA Champions League Final on May 19 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, and participants will also receive UEFA merchandise.

“The Fiesta appeals to stylish, digitally connected individuals and the Best Dressed Ford Fiesta Contest offers them an entertaining and enjoyable way to interact with their cars,” said David Westerman, regional manager, Asia Pacific, Ford Export & Growth Operations. “Ford is constantly looking for ways to stay connected with customers and to reward them for their loyalty, and this contest does just that.”

To participate, new and current Ford Fiesta owners must first register themselves via Ford Malaysia’s Facebook page. Registration opens as of today and ends on March 31. Here, you’ll also find the necessary info to ensure you meet the qualification criteria. No sense dressing it up to find out it has been done wrong, eh?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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New Ford Ranger T6 Test Drive Report from Chiang Rai

Danny Tan — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:06:00 +0000

This will be an exciting year for the pick-up truck segment. Malaysia will get the Chevrolet Colorado, which we recently drove in Thailand, and Mitsubishi’s Triton VGT should be coming real soon. Already starring in roadshows, mid year will see the launch of the all new Ford Ranger, our topic of discussion here.

We first laid eyes on the handsome new Ranger (code named T6) in March last year, when Ford gave it an ASEAN debut at the Bangkok Motor Show. Production of the Ranger is ongoing as we speak, having already had a Job 1 Ceremony at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) Rayong plant.

Thailand, as one of the few production hubs for the model (others are South Africa and Argentina), will naturally get the first batch. Our turn, according to Sime Darby Auto Connexion, will be the middle of this year, but the company has already started promoting the truck. There’s also the Malaysian leg of the Global Ranger Challenge, where you can win one for yourself.

How does the new Ranger fare against the current crop of trucks? Does it slot in or above? Full report after the jump.

As mentioned, we first saw the T6 Ranger in the metal at last year’s Bangkok Motor Show, where many in the regional press pack were wowed by the T6′s modern good looks and macho style. It’s much bigger than the old one, too, and with the hardware to bring Ford back to the top of the pickup pack.

At 5,359 mm long, the T6 is a substantial 186 mm longer than the old Ranger. And to maximise cabin size, the double cab’s wheelbase now measures a class-leading 3,220 mm, which is 220 mm longer than before. This can only be a good thing, since the ageing Ranger’s rear quarters has been exposed to be tight and hard to access by newer, bigger rivals such as the Hilux and Triton.

When it arrives, the Ranger will be the biggest truck in town, eclipsing current big guy Nissan Navara for size. But Ford designers have made the most of the bulk on offer – instead of appearing big and clumsy, the T6 is handsome and imposing, retaining the customary ‘Built Ford Tough’ machoness of the name despite being more rounded (check out the rake of the windshield) and thoroughly modern in outlook. To these eyes, it’s easily the best looking truck on sale today.

Good looks aside, let’s not forget that many still use trucks as workhorses or dual purpose machines. Along with the larger cab, the T6 boasts a bigger bed as well – L x W x H dimensions are 1,549 x 1,560 x 511 mm, versus 1,530 x 1,458 x 465 mm, so it’s a gain for all.

The truck class may be ‘one-tonne,’ but the Ranger can haul up to 1,333 kg, and the vehicle’s maximum tow rating tops out at 3,350 kg. Ford says the Ranger’s frame is twice as stiff as the previous model.

More importantly, the T6 Ranger is a great truck to drive, and the experience behind the wheel is significantly different from the truck it replaces. For one, the driver’s seat offers a much higher and commanding view than in the old Ranger, and there’s no escaping the feel that you’re driving something really big. And as usual for Ford, the seats are good in terms of position and support, which is not a “standard feature” in this segment.

Speaking of comfort, the old Ranger’s small rear door and tight rear quarters handicap has been eliminated. With the new shape, access is so much easier and head/legroom is good, even for the tall.

The truck’s height mean that it’s quite a climb for the less mobile, but the Ranger is now finally on par with the Triton and Hilux in this. I also like the fact that the bench isn’t set too low, hides two “secret compartments” and has a pouch in the middle for mobile phones.

Back to the driver’s seat, it doesn’t take long to notice the crisp, more direct steering. This more “connected” rack combines with a much firmer ride to give the Ranger surprisingly good handling. It doesn’t feel nervous when you turn up the wick and body control is better than expected. The Ranger is a more precise tool than before, without a doubt. The stiffer ride works well on tarmac, but not so much off road, where jolts pierce harder than before.

Of the two coming soon trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado is the hooligan – brash, but great fun in the right mood – whereas the Ranger is the polished performer, at least that’s what I felt driving both on the hilly roads around Chiang Rai.

If the handling has seen a change for the better, the NVH (that’s noise, vibration and harshness) has taken a quantum leap. The Ranger T6 is by far the most refined pick-up truck in town, and highway cruising is as serene as you’d hope for. We consciously tried to pick up noises by turning off the stereo and going pass the highway limit, which says it all.

By the way, achieving good NVH in a truck is much harder than in a car, since they have to fight a brick like shape, diesel engines and knobbly off road capable tyres. A great achievement, this.

After the handling and NVH, the 150 PS/375 Nm 2.2L Duratorq TDCi engine itself doesn’t stand out so much for me, but it’s quietly competent. The VG Turbo equipped mill provides good take off acceleration, is flexible enough and works smoother and quieter than many rival diesels we can think off – and because it’s 0.3 litres smaller than the regular truck engine size, you pay less road tax as well.

The 200 PS/470 Nm 3.2L five-cylinder TDCi powering the Wildtrak is much stronger, but the 2.2L is all the engine you need, really. My dream combo will be the Wildtrak’s visual appeal with the 2.2L engine.

The automatic transmission is similarly inconspicuous, which is a good thing for a self-shifting gearbox. More outstanding is the six-speed manual gearbox we sampled, which has an unusually short throw and nice snick snack action for a truck. We didn’t expect such a “sporty feel”, but hey, no complaints! Nice knob, too.

No complaints on the cabin as well. While the Colorado tries harder to be modern and flash at the expense of ease of use and legibility, the Ranger’s dashboard is more clear and cohesive, while maintaining the sport/tough (think G-Shock) theme. There’s some cool detailing going on too if you look harder, on the right dial’s cowl, for instance.

Storage is a strong point here, since the glove box can swallow up a 16-inch laptop flat. The door pockets can fit 1.5 litre bottles and if you have more stuff, the 8.5 litre centre console bin will do the job. Plenty of cubbies too, and there’s a handy tray below the air-con controls and two power points.

I’m not much of a truck guy, but this is one truck I’d consider owning (800 mm water wading capability good to fight flash floods), more than any other one-tonner on sale today. It’s so complete, we can’t think of anything to find fault with except for the overly hard off road ride. The clincher is the five-star rating from Euro NCAP in a segment lagging behind in terms of safety.

In terms of sales – as great as the T6 may be, we doubt that it will unseat the Hilux as the top selling truck in Malaysia. But product-wise, you’re looking at the new class leader!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Geneva preview: Ford Tourneo – Kinetic Design on a van

Danny Tan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:24:32 +0000

The current Ford Transit van, hugely popular in Europe, has been around in current form since 2006. Having paid its dues, it’s due to be replaced soon, and here’s a look at what’s to come. This is the Ford Tourneo Custom Concept that will debut in Geneva next month, and it speaks the same Kinetic Design language as Ford’s passenger cars.

Besides showing off the new look, the Tourneo Concept previews the all-new family of one-tonne Transit people movers and commercial vehicles for Europe and Asia, to debut later this year. “Car-like qualities and “car-like appeal” are repeated throughout the press release, and the next Transit’s busy dashboard is instantly recognisable as a current Ford effort.

“We set out to create a design with clean, futuristic lines and with a real sense of occasion. With its sportier stance, bold rising shoulder line and flush glazing, the Tourneo Custom Concept brings something fresh and exciting to this class of people mover. By applying the latest Kinetic Design principles, the design has a completely new style and drama,” explained Paul Campbell, chief designer, Ford of Europe.

The rear seats are a completely new design, which can be easily folded into multiple configurations, or removed completely. In the concept vehicle, the luxurious and spacious feel of the interior is further enhanced by an exclusive two-tone colour scheme, featuring hand-stitched leather seats with cloth inserts.

Features usually found in passenger cars include Auto-Start-Stop and Smart Regenerative Charging, SYNCvoice-activated ICE, Emergency Assistance enabled by SYNC, rear camera integrated into the rear view mirror and Lane Departure Warning + Driver Alert.

The production Transit range will be powered by enhanced versions of the new 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, initially introduced in 2011. All versions (100 PS, 125 PS, 155 PS) are paired with a six-speed manual transmission and FWD. The range will include a wide choice of body styles and SWB/LWB options.

“Our forthcoming new range gives us the opportunity to appeal to new customers with a fresh new direction, and we have seized that opportunity with both hands. The Tourneo Custom’s car-like qualities will be appreciated by a broad range of business and leisure customers,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO of Ford Europe.

This class of vehicle, not to be confused with luxury MPVs like the Toyota Alphard, is under represented in Malaysia – only Hyundai has bothered so far with the Starex, which sells decently. We recently posted about Volkswagen assembling the T5 Transporter in Indonesia. Will Euro style passenger vans ever catch on here?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Ranger breaks cover at roadshow – estimated pricing revealed, RM98k for 2.2L XLT, RM115k for 3.2L Wildtrak

Anthony Lim — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:01:24 +0000

Well, photos of the vehicle sans disguise may have come about yesterday, but so much for that. The new Ford Ranger has finally broken cover, and is on display at a roadshow in Sunway Pyramid, which runs from today until Sunday. Having been told it was there, yours truly was planning to make a visit to the roadshow tonight or tomorrow morning to grab some pix of the pickup.

Thankfully, there’s no need to wait any further. Diligent reader Rizal M was at the Pyramid this morning, saw the roadshow display and noticed the truck, or trucks in this case. The 3.2 litre variant seen in the earlier post is on show, as is what should be the 2.2 litre XLT manual, presumably so because it’s dressed up as a mobile billboard for the Malaysia Ranger Challenge, which has a manual 2.2 as the winning prize.

More importantly, Rizal snapped a pix of the Ranger product leaflet, in which the estimated pricing for the variants are listed. The 2.2L XLT automatic has an estimated OTR price of RM98,000, while the manual version is expected to be RM92,000. Significantly, there’s also mention of the 3.2L Wildtrak, priced at an estimated RM115,000, so that one looks to be on the cards.

There’s also a shot of what you can expect to find in the T6′s cabin – rain and speed sensing wipers, auto headlamps, cruise control, dual airbags, Bluetooth with Voice Control feature, an integrated control panel, no less than 23 storage spaces dotting the interior and a large lockable glovebox. Supposedly, the compartment is big enough to house a 16-inch laptop, so the brochure goes. The Wildtrak gets dual-zone climate control, as far as can be figured.

Many thanks for taking and sharing the photos, Rizal.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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New Ford Ranger seen again, this time without disguise!

Anthony Lim — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:58:25 +0000

Looks like the covers – and camouflage – have come off the new Ford Ranger. The last time the truck was spotted by Danny, it was covered with what looks like a complete sticker job bearing black and white swirl patterns.

Now, new photos have come about of the pickup, sans disguise. Reader Ariff saw the truck sitting in a carpark in Shah Alam, and noticed it because of the distinct rear end, and also because there were no plates on it.

The vehicle in the photos is a 3.2 litre variant, which wears the five-cylinder diesel mill of said displacement – numbers for this one are 200 PS and 470 Nm of torque. As we’re aware of, the T6 Ranger will arrive here initially – sometime in the second quarter of the year – wearing the other diesel mill on offer, the 150 PS and 375 Nm 2.2 litre four-cylinder.

The 3.2 litre variant hasn’t actually been confirmed for Malaysia, but it looks like the XLT example seen here is being sampled, adding fuel to the speculation that the version will eventually make it here, perhaps in Wildtrak form! Tip of the hat to Ariff for the pix.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Jianghuai Automobile Co to unveil Ford F-150 clone

Anthony Lim — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:17:14 +0000

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it is said, and with that do we come to the clone of the week segment.

According to reports, Chinese state-owned automaker Jianghuai Automobile Co is planning to unveil a pickup at the Beijing auto show in April. Nothing quite out of the ordinary, except that the vehicle will supposedly, ahem, borrow certain exterior design details from the Ford F-150, which is seen in the pix above (no, that’s not the clone!).

The JAC 4R3, as the pickup will be known as, will share the F-150′s grille, hood and extended cab design, and to top it off will also wear Ford’s distinctive blue oval, The Detroit News originally reported.

Ford, meanwhile, hasn’t decided whether to take legal action against JAC, the newspaper said. “We’re aware of it and we’re investigating. We’re just trying to get an idea of what’s going on with the vehicle and haven’t decided what our next steps might be,” a Ford spokesperson told the publication.

Chinese automakers have often been accused of producing clones of foreign vehicle models, and there’s little that can be done to stop it, it seems – apparently, automakers that have filed lawsuits against their imitators in the country’s courts have had little success in halting the spawning tide.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford B-MAX to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress

Anthony Lim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:23:59 +0000

The wraps are set to come off Ford’s all-new B-MAX on February 27 at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, making it the first time a car has been unveiled at the leading mobile industry event. The automotive world, meanwhile, will have to wait for Geneva next month before the vehicle is introduced by Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally.

At the unveiling in Barcelona, Ford will also announce new technologies for Europe that will debut on the B-MAX, making it among the most technologically advanced small cars on the market.

The B-MAX, as is already known, has a unique Easy Access Door System, with central body pillars integrated into the sliding rear doors, making for unrivalled access for passengers and luggage alike. The B-segment MPV is set to have a wide range of engine choices, including the new 120 PS 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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New Ford Focus Titanium hatchback sighted at SDAC PJ

Paul Tan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:57:55 +0000

It looks like the new Ford Ranger isn’t the only car that Sime Darby Auto ConneXion will be busy with this year – a LYN forumer redbull_y2k posted these two pictures of a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium at what appears to be a Chinese New Year Lion Dance program at the SDAC PJ 3S center.

What do you think – looks pretty good eh? I’m not sure what this means though in terms of launch date, as SDAC has a history of bringing in future models for different purposes way before the actual launch date.

For example, before the Fiesta was launched, they brought in a 1.4 liter automatic unit from Singapore for teaser roadshows and we even reviewed that particular car in Driven.

Later, customers also reported sighting the Mondeo EcoBoost and S-MAX EcoBoost at the same PJ 3S center way before the launch.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Join the Malaysia Ranger Challenge to win yourself your very own all-new Ranger XLT 2.2L Manual!

Paul Tan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:28:58 +0000

The Malaysian leg of the Global Ranger Challenge has officially kicked off, giving us Malaysians a chance to put the famous “Built Ford Tough” claim to the ultimate test by taking the new Ranger through tough, real-life challenges.

Submit your ideas for the challenge at the Malaysia Ranger Challenge website, and five lucky entrants will be selected to get behind the wheel to turn their idea into reality.

Not only will these five be the first consumers in Malaysia to test the Ranger T6, the one with the best challenge (as chosen by the public) will drive away with his/her very own new Ranger XLT 2.2L Manual!

Examples of challenges might be testing if it’s comfy enough to camp in it for 48 hours straight, or show what you would tow with it’s towing capacity of over 3 tonnes, or even testing its horsepower and torque by taking it off-road. Be creative about it – you can check out the Global Ranger Challenge of other countries such as Australia or South Africa to get some inspiration.

Entries can be submitted to www.fordrangerchallenge.com.my. Submit your idea in the form of a short story of 200 words or less, or a recorded video. A new Ranger will then be loaned to each of the five finalists, who will carry out their nominated challenge with the help of a professional film crew provided by Ford. Footage will be uploaded to the Global Ford Ranger Challenge website for the public to view and vote.

The winner of the truck will be announced at the launch event of the new Ranger in Malaysia. Additionally, people who vote online will be entered into a lucky draw for a range of prizes. Online voting will happen throughout the month of May.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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New Ford Ranger in camouflage spotted, it’s coming soon!

Danny Tan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:31:28 +0000

Yours truly was in Shah Alam yesterday when this camouflaged truck came into sight. It was heading towards the Guthrie Expressway, so I stopped at a petrol station to swap seats with my passenger. Camera out and ready, I realised that the “mystery truck” in question is the new Ford Ranger.

Covered in black and white swirl patterns to confuse and distract, we can still see the outline of the Blue Oval logo on the tailgate. In any case, the three square tail lamp design is a giveaway, and looking at the large size of the thing, it can’t possibly be any of the one-tonne pick-up trucks on sale today.

On the Guthrie, we overtook the truck for the side profile and front views you see here. And the front shots confirm that it is indeed the Ranger T6.

Recently, we saw a video of a blue new Ranger towing all its rivals, and now this. Looks like the second quarter 2012 local launch of the new truck is right on track. We will be getting the new 150 hp/375 Nm 2.2-litre engine, paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

The range topping 3.2-litre Wildtrack model is not yet confirmed for now, but we think it’s a matter of time before the fully decked out “ultimate Ranger” hits town.

We have been previously told that the 2.2L Ranger will be competitively priced against rivals, and not far away from the outgoing Ranger. At launch, only the dual-cab XLT will be offered; other cab styles and the XL will come later. The Wildtrak model, if brought in, will be priced to match the Hilux 3.0 and Triton 3.2, despite boasting a longer kit list.

We’ve driven the new Ranger in Thailand already, and think that it’s a truck worth waiting for. Watch out for the test drive report!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Malaysians to take on new Ford Ranger in the “Global Ford Ranger Challenge” – winner drives the truck home!

Danny Tan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:34:52 +0000

Ford will officially kick off the “Global Ford Ranger Challenge” tomorrow (1 February), a unique, worldwide experiential marketing campaign leading up to the launch of the all-new Ford Ranger later this year. The campaign will give Malaysians a chance to put the famous “Built Ford Tough” claim to the ultimate test by taking the new Ranger through tough, real-life challenges.

You can begin submitting ideas for the challenge online tomorrow and five lucky entrants will be selected to get behind the wheel to turn their idea into reality. Not only will these five be the first consumers in Malaysia to test the Ranger T6, the one with the best challenge (as chosen by the public) will drive away with his/her very own new Ranger XLT 2.2L Manual!

Entries can be submitted to www.fordrangerchallenge.com.my or via Facebook. The time frame is from 1 Feb to 15 March, and the finalists will be announced on 31 March. A new Ranger will then be loaned to each of the five finalists, who will carry out their nominated challenge with the help of a professional film crew provided by Ford. Footage will be uploaded to the Global Ford Ranger Challenge website for the public to view and vote.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford’s 1.0 litre EcoBoost mill set to make market debut in March, to be available across the Focus model range

Anthony Lim — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:06 +0000

Ford’s new 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine is set to make its market debut in the UK, across the Ford Focus range starting from next month. The turbocharged, direct injection three-cylinder mill, which was officially unveiled in Frankfurt last year, will be available with two power levels, these being 125 PS and 100 PS.

The 125 PS output tune delivers 170 Nm of peak torque (200 Nm with overboost) between 1,400 and 4,500rpm, giving it the highest power density of any Ford production engine to date. In terms of numbers, this is equivalent in terms of power to the naturally-aspirated 1.6 litre Duratec Ti-VCT engine as found in the Focus, while the torque from the EcoBoost shades the 159 Nm in the NA 1.6 (conversely, the 1.6 Ti-VCT in the Fiesta here has 122 PS and 148 Nm).

After its debut in the Focus, the UK-developed engine is set to feature in the C-MAX, Grand C-MAX and all-new B-MAX later this year.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford Fiesta facelift begins testing on public roads

Paul Tan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:54:32 +0000

The latest Ford Fiesta was first introduced as the Verve concept in the second half of 2007, and went into production as the Fiesta in late 2008. Well, it’s 2012 now, which means it’s just about time for a mid-life facelift for the Fiesta, and we believe this set of photos that our European spy photo provider SB-MEDIEN managed to capture should be the facelifted Fiesta.

There’s not much changes on the rear of this particular test mule – everything looks identical to the current Fiesta on sale. But there seems to be big changes at the front as Ford has piled on the disguise pretty heavy. We can also spot daytime running lights installed in the headlamps, which also look slimmer. The engine hood is also different – it now has four creases on it for a more pronounced ‘nose’, instead of the current Fiesta’s engine hood which is flat.

All of these design cues are reflected on the Ford Fiesta ST Concept which made its debut at Frankfurt last year. The Fiesta ST Concept also had reshaped slimmer headlamps, and an engine hood similiar to that installed on this test mule.

It looks like those new design cues won’t be unique to the ST, as this test mule is definitely not an ST, as if you look into the detailed photos in the gallery below you’ll see that this test mule uses rear drum brakes, which points to a non-high performance Ford Fiesta.

Another interesting fact about this set of spyshots is a snap of the logbook inside the car, which reveals the engine under the hood – it says 1.0 GDI 80hp. This might be a three cylinder normally aspirated 1.0 liter petrol engine with direct injection technology.

A few other engines are planned for the Fiesta, like an EcoBoost version of the 3-pot 1.0 liter that makes either 100 PS or 125 PS in two different tunes. The 125 PS version will probably replace the current 1.6 liter Ti-VCT engine, while the 100 PS version would be a nice replacement for the 1.4 liter.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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VIDEO: 2011 Ford Ranger towing four other rival trucks!

Paul Tan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:08:06 +0000

Ford Malaysia has a pretty good track record when it comes to fun and creative ways to promote the popular Ford Ranger truck, which some consider the “bread and butter” of Ford in Malaysia before the successful launch of the Fiesta hatchback.

Reader Hafiz spotted this latest generation Ford Ranger that’s yet to be launched in Malaysia while he was driving his Proton Satria Neo. It didn’t have any disguise on, but it wasn’t just being driven around for testing purposes either.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion actually had the blue Ranger tow a total of four black trucks – from the rearmost truck in order we have the previous generation Ranger, the Mitsubishi Triton, the Toyota Hilux, and the Isuzu D-MAX! The feat looked so incredible that Hafiz thought he was looking at a Ford F150 at first, not a Ranger which is a segment below.

The most powerful turbodiesel latest-generation Ford Ranger available uses a five-cylinder 3.2 litre unit that puts out 200 PS and strong 470 Nm of torque. That’s more torque than some of the strongest diesel trucks and SUVs in Malaysia! A smaller engine is also available – a 2.2 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with 150 PS and 375 Nm of torque, not bad for an engine down 300cc on capacity compared to its rivals.

Looks like a brilliant teaser campaign to me, although when we asked Sime Darby Auto ConnneXion, they claimed they were just testing towing payload for JPJ-type approval We still think it’s some kind of intentional teaser though!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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Ford’s Malaysia sales up by 145% in 2011, led by Fiesta

Danny Tan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:04:01 +0000

Ford today announced that 2011 retail sales in Malaysia rose 145% from the previous year to 7,188 vehicles. This big jump represents the brand’s best annual performance since 1997. Ford is distributed here by Sime Darby AutoConnexion.

Unsurprisingly, the fantastic result owes a lot to the popularity of the Ford Fiesta, the sharply styled and feature rich B-segment global car. 2011 was the first full year of sales for the Fiesta, which found 4,297 new homes.

Before the Fiesta, the Ford name here has been synonymous with “Ranger” for the longest time, and sales of the pick-up truck rose more than 17% to 2,274 units. Sales of the C-segment Focus also increased 58% from the previous year to 263 units.

“This is an outstanding achievement for both Ford and our partner Sime Darby AutoConnexion, and highlights the unmatched commitment we have to our business and our customers in Malaysia,” said David Westerman, Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, Ford Export & Growth Operations.

Last year, Sime Darby AutoConnexion launched the S-MAX MPV and the facelifted Mondeo, both powered by 2.0-litre Ecoboost turbocharged engines. 2012 will see the local launch of the all new Ford Ranger “and other segment defining products,” teased Westerman.

Could the new Focus be one of these “segment defining” cars? Thai production of the new Focus will begin around mid-year at the company’s new plant at Rayong, and the C-segment entry could sneak in before 2012 comes to a close.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:44:14 +0000.

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