1 Sep 2011
The Australian engineered and developed PX Ranger was based on an all-new T6 ladder chassis, available in single-cab/chassis or pick-up configurations with single cab, super cab or crew cab body styles, with 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains plus 4x4-look 'hi-rider' 4x2 variants.
Three engine/transmission combinations were offered: a 122kW/226Nm 2.5-litre Duratec petrol four with five-speed manual and two turbo-diesel fours matched with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the 110kW/375Nm 2.2-litre TDCi four-cylinder and 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi inline five.
The base model was the XL 4x2 single-cab/chassis 2.2 diesel with six-speed manual, topping out at the 3.2 diesel Wildtrack crew cab.
Australia was the first of 180 international markets to receive the new Ranger, but only premium 3.2-litre diesel-powered dual-cab models were available in showrooms from launch, followed by the full line-up of Ranger models by the first quarter of 2012.
All 4x4 models came fitted with electronic ‘shift-on-the-fly’ (ESOF), which enabled drivers to move between high-range 2WD, high-range 4WD and low-range 4WD using a centre console-mounted switch.
An electronic locking rear differential was fitted to all Wildtrak and XLT 4x4 models as standard, a factory-fitted $500 option for XL 4x4 manual models.
All new Rangers came standard with electronic stability control with Roll-over Mitigation (ROM), hill-start assist, traction control, load adaptive control and trailer sway control, plus anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist and emergency brake lights that flash during hard braking.
Twin front airbags were standard on all models and front seat side airbags and curtain airbags were standard on all models except the XL single-cab/chassis, in which they were be an option in vehicles with bucket seats.
Likewise, twin front seatbelt reminders were standard on all models except XL single-cab/chassis, in which a passenger Beltminder was an option.
Entry-level XL models came standard with 16-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth with voice control, MP3 and iPod connectivity, a 4.2-inch multi-function dashboard-mounted colour screen, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted buttons, power front windows and exterior mirrors, and remote keyless entry.
In addition, XLT models featured 17-inch alloy wheels, a locking rear differential (4x4 only), rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dual-zone climate-control, an electrochromatic mirror, rear parking sensors, a tray bedliner with integrated 12-volt socket (double-cab only), polished rear rollbar, towbar, privacy glass and cooled centre console.
On top of all this, flagship Wildtrak models gained 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite-navigation with five-inch multi-function dashboard-mounted colour display, a rear-view camera with display in the interior mirror, combined leather and fabric upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable heated front seats, a sports bar and roof rails.
