Test Drive Ford Ranger 1992 - 2010 coupe
Worker Ranger.
Pickup from Ford for every dayAfter Ford Ranger spent several days in the editorial office, without waking up almost no one at the joke, I for some reason stopped doubting his prospects in the Russian market. Of course, he could not be as popular as, as, say, Focus. But his buyer, including corporate, will certainly find. Because it is a big and spacious, practical and economical in operation. Yes, and his competitors have a little while in our country.
There would be a car, work will be found
This is the law: as soon as the company is at the disposal (and the machine is absolutely none or large) a decent loading machine appears, it becomes necessary to carry something in it immediately. We, for example, urgently needed to take two and a half thousand copies of the newspaper in four addresses. And this is 50 packs with a total weighing of 600 kilograms. Seeing like a dozen loader with all its weight on the back of the back door, neatly placing inside the tutu cargo compartment, I was worried about it. I ashamed, and plastic did not suffer from all and is designed. In general, in the Body Ranger you can download more than a ton. Any cargo is reliably fixed thanks to special briefs. True, too bulky things in this pickup will not place the hard top reduces the height of the opening to 802 mm. But the length of the compartment is 1530 mm, and the width is 1536. Perhaps it is enough for everyday needs. And the cargo will be protected with any weather. So, when there was more halftone behind his back, I liked rider even more. Therefore, for example, that on the waves of our asphalt began to be less felt by the longitudinal routine of the body. After all, behind this car bridge with springs. It is he who guarantees good load capacity, but deprives her smoothness of the stroke. So it is not a sedan of the representative class, but a pickup-workman. At the same time, the suspension provide very decent comfort to the driver and passengers (there may be four of them): they swallow the irregularities of the road, and the casual rolls in steep turns for this car do not have much importance.
Another important thing is: the load almost did not affect the dynamics of the car, it still confidently gained speed, and on any gear. Despite the modest 109 forces, which gives a 2.5-liter turbodiesel, the driver cannot feel infringes in the possibilities on the road. Due to the decent torque of the motor and well-selected gear ratios of the 5-speed mechanical KP, the pickup demonstrates a rather frisky character.
It is pleasant to surprise the reversal radius is only 12.6 m, which is quite good for the car longer than five meters. In addition, the beam thanks to the powerful hydraulic replete to turn easily. As for feedback on the steering wheel, it is also not particularly relevant for Ranger. In addition, it is enough to confidently maneuver in close courtyards. Gazelle, who turned out to be near during our first stop, it turned out much worse. Her driver even almost entered the wall, apparently, pressing too sharply on gas. By the way, stop the Ranger easily brakes allow you to clearly control the slowdown, despite the drum mechanisms behind. It is important that the fact that in this car is not tired, even if all day is driving.
Spartan Comfort
In the cabin, everything is quite simple, but this does not mean that it lacks comfort. The driver's seat is convenient and has a complete set of necessary adjustments. The steering column moves only in height, but this circumstance does not create problems with proper fit. Plastic is not expensive, but high-quality, accuracy fit all parts at the height. Some diversity in the interior makes the instrument shield with white dials and silver inserts on the front panel. In addition, the XLT version that visited the editorial office, was not bad. Here and electrical adjustment of mirrors, windows on the front doors, ABS and air conditioning. All controls are logical, although I initially could not understand what the key with the RFW inscription on the left of the steering column. It turned out that her pressing actually turns off the front axle, which requires some explanation. Next to the KP lever there is a dispensing gearbox lever. It can be translated from the rear drive mode to the permanent mode or enable a downstream transmission. So, when the driver activates a constant full drive mode, the corresponding icon and an RFW icon lights up on the panel. Despite the position of the lever, the power of the power unit is sent to the rear wheels, and to connect the front just and you should click on the RFW key. This is done in order to once again not wear the front differential and shafts.
I must say that one day I had to take advantage of this system when I went to nature after the rain. They, by the way, comfortably settled on the rear seats, where there was enough space for the inclined people. So, driving up to a small cafe on the shore of the Klyazmin reservoir, I forgot that it was just a rain. A small lifting by a kee turned out to be in a dozen meters insurmountable. Somewhere on his middle, the rear wheels began to bounce, and the body slowly went back. Well, I turn on the four-wheel drive and immediately click on the RFW key. Now quite another thing! In general, a little later we managed to climb on a much coolest and slippery hill to admire the surroundings. So the off-road Ranger is quite on the shoulder.
The owner can save
First of all, the diesel engine itself is economical. Although the official data on the average fuel consumption, I could not find, according to my estimates, it does not exceed 10 liters per 100 km of mileage. It is curious that in the USA, at the homeland of pickups, Ranger with such a motor is unavailable, this version is made specifically for Europe and for Russia. And, perhaps, right: whether it is a private owner (say, a farmer or a gardener-amateur), or a company (which, let's say, sends repair brigades to the point), saving on fuel for all business is important. A corporate client may in addition to save when buying a car and its further maintenance, because it is entitled to count on special discounts that offer official brand dealers. Well, and if without discounts, the Ford Ranger is offered in two versions of XT and XLT, prices begin with 23,100 dollars. The interservice interval of 10,000 km of run, the cost of the planned is fixed at 85 euros. Yes, and additional works are not so expensive. For example, the replacement of the front brake pads along with the work will cost 160 euros, rear in 189. Warranty on Ranger 1 year without a mileage limit.
Text: Andrei Osipov
Brief specifications Ford Ranger
Engine volume, cube. See 2499.
Number of valves per cylinder 4
Power, l. With. for rpm. 109/3500
Max. Torque, nm at rpm. / Min. 266/2000
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, p. 25.6
Maximum speed, km / h 143
Middle fuel consumption l. / 100 km. There is no data
Volume of fuel tank, l. 70.
Mass of the car, kg. 1710.
Dimensions, mm. 5012x1740x1750
