Test drive Ford Ranger 1992 - 2010 compartment

Operation Ford Ranger

We made the decision to take the Ford Ranger test for the only purpose: I really wanted to experience a diesel car in the conditions of harsh Russian winter.
 
Alas, nature opposed. For a month and a half, the temperature has never become negative. Therefore, we cannot say how suitable for strong colds is for strong cold weather. Did not work out. But it was possible to hold an equally interesting test, which consisted in riding on a huge pickup on city streets.
 
Management of a five -seater pickup with a length of 5012 and a width of 1740 mm is a convertible activity. When you look at Ranger, you clearly imagine a brave sheriff with a large star and a hat that throws a bound offender into the body. In addition, the imagination draws the sea coast and a group of young people in white trousers loading aquabike into a pickup. However, to imagine a giant somewhere in the yards of Ostozhenka or on a clogged parking of a business center is not easy.
 
After waiting for the yellow spiral to go out on the dashboard, indicating the end of the work of the glow of the incandescent, we carefully turn the ignition key. The car comes to life instantly, filling the space with a frenzy roar in which confidence is clearly felt. This sound comes from a 2.5-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 109 liters. With. Thanks to this motor, pickups can drag a trailer weighing 2800 kg behind. True, this is possible only when the cart next to the back is equipped with brakes. If there are no brakes, the weight is reduced to 750 kg. Such characteristics are enough to transport a motorcycle or snowmobile. But in the city we do not need anything like that, so we pay attention to controllability.
 
There are no problems with maneuvering on wide streets and avenues. Despite the noticeable rolls, the pickup is smoothly swimming in the stream. Large sizes inspire the respect of brothers in the movement. For 45 days of the dough, only one driver dared to signal our Ranger, to which the pickuper answered with contemptuous silence. The minimum diameter of the turn is 12.6 m. However, you quickly get used to such characteristics. Real problems begin in the yards, which, thanks to the wisdom of developers, are always clogged with cars. Where to go if someone goes to meet? There is definitely not enough space for two. Calmly! The owner of the pickupa does not need to be pressed to the right, trying to crumble with oncoming transport. Oncoming transport without disputes will turn on the rear speed and retire. We are afraid of large SUVs. And many perceive Ranger just as an SUV. At least if you look at it frontally, it will not be possible to catch any difference.
 
Another thing is if the cars parked in the yard left you too little space. Then a wide small -manbuilding pickup place may not be enough. Therefore, the driver must calculate the route in advance so as not to be trapped.
 
Separate skills are necessary when parking in reverse. In principle, there is nothing wrong. You just need to correctly determine the gaps between the cars in order to carefully blame the five -meter bandura. Recently I had to witness an accident. The pickup driver, leaking back, did not notice that a car was close to the car. She was not visible from a high cab. Then there was a strange grinding sound. This lower part of the body passed over the hood cover, carpeting fragile metal.
 
In Russia, pickup owners put the so -called kuns over the body. Thus, the luggage compartment is protected from precipitation. The disadvantage of such a decision is to sharply deteriorate visibility. As a result, you can move back only with the help of mirrors.
 
Driving
 
The pickup is quite suitable for a calm city ride.
 
Salon
 
The Spartan situation fits into the cowboy origin of the car.
 
Comfort
 
It is difficult for passengers of the rear sofa. Overcoming even a minor obstacle leads to a sprinkle at the fifth point.
 
Safety
 
The standard contains front airbags, as well as the bars built into the doors that protect during a lateral blow.
 
Price
 
On the same level with competitors.
 
Technical characteristics of Ford Ranger
 
Dimensions, mm 5022x1810x1760
Diesel engine, 2499 cm3, 109 hp at 3500 min-1
Mechanical transmission, 5-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km/h, from 12.5
Maximum speed, km/h 145
Competitors Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi L200
 
Advantages and disadvantages
 
+ Good passage on off -road, sufficient maneuverability, roomy body.
 
- Big unsproveed masses, an uncomfortable rear sofa, lack of body protection.
 
Our opinion
 
Among competitors, the American pickupian looks the most brutal. There are no avant -garde solutions in this machine, which, most likely, will appear after restyling. So far, modernization has not happened to Russian buyers have the last opportunity to buy a real cowboy car.
 
Text: Stanislav Pavlov
Photo: Sergey Krestov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [March 2007]