Test Drive Ford Ranger 1992 - 2010 coupe

Thai tonnage

Ford Ranger.
The current one, the second generation of pickups produces a car dispatch in Thailand since 1998 and exported, including to Europe; In 2003, appearance (facelifting) was updated.
Start of supply to Russia Summer 2004: all-wheel drive modification with a 2.5-liter diesel engine and manual box. There are also versions with short and elongated cabins, a V6 gasoline engine and a machine, rear-wheel drive.
At the same plant, the Mazda-B2500 pickup is produced, which differs only in the elements of the body design. The American thesis manufactured in Thailand Ranger is not its analogue.
The price in Russia from 19,270 euros ($ 23,000 at the time of preparation of the material).

Mitsubishi L200.
Pickups L200 are released in Thailand, for local markets also in South Africa and Malaysia.
The Russian market presents version 4x4 with a double cabin and 2.5-liter diesel.
Complete range of modifications opens
80-strong rear-wheel drive, and marks 4x4 with a V6 gasoline engine and an automatic box. There are versions with short and elongated (CREW CAB) cabins.
The model is known in Europe under the name L200, in Australia Triton, Southeast Asia Storm and L200 Strada, South Africa Colt. Nearest constructive analogue
pickup Soughhead Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Price in Russia from $ 21,650.

With the exception of appearance, they are very similar and appointment, and sizes, and design, and technical characteristics. We carry both tons. They produce them next door, at the factories in the distant Thailand. And the main features coincide: being analogues of ordinary sacrifice with full-fledged salons, pickups are 1.52 times cheaper, which makes them a very interesting offer in this sector of the market.
Spore cowboy and samurai
Burdened with thoughts about the similarity of two cars, we went to the landfill to find the differences and at least for themselves to answer the question: what to choose? One of the authors accepted the side of the Rangers and, bearing in the pose of Chuck Norris on the wing of the faithful Ford, said:
Meet, as you know, by clothes. You won't argue that my car is solid and outside, and inside? Look at what a practical cap is adapted to the body, like a chrome radiator as a spacious salon, especially from behind, and agree that the first round for me!
Sittingly sitting at the wheel of Mitsubishi colleague, she squinted, why his round face became a little remind of the Japanese, and, turning his eyes to the rising sun, replied:
Why judge unfounded? Compare the size of the salons: my if and is inferior, it is completely slight. Rear, indeed, the sofa is rustled, but the upholstery is practical. The L200 looks much more dynamic and tightened than brutal, thick Ford. As for the cap on the body, this is an option available for both Mitsubishi. And not always convenient, what are you now and you will make sure: after all, it is necessary to compare the work horses only along the length of the mane
Dispute of economic entities
Indeed, these cars should not just ride, but to work, carry not only the owner, but also the cargo. In our test, 30-kilogram sand bags. The loading height and sizes of the body differ very slightly, but the beautiful Ford Cap, although it is securely covered by telling, it interferes in the bodies. A couple of times cracked about the roof in maneuvers with bags in a close body, the cowboy suspended the loading: for ballasts they took on board 660 kg, or 2/3 of the declared load capacity. Now let's see what has changed, a lot has changed: the Ranger turned around the transverse axis passing around the dispensing box, which is why the front wheels unloaded a bit (see Table.). The distance from the ground to the headquart was reduced by 100 mm, and before the crossbar of the front suspension increased by 20 mm.
Approximately the same thing happened with the L200, but to a lesser extent: the lumen before the anti-influential timber decreased by 85 mm, the front suspension beam grew by 15 mm.
So, the American dies under load lower. He feels more harder and on the go. The Ford loaded by Ballast was not resolved 3.5 km / h of maximum speed, and almost seven unnecessary seconds were required to accelerate to one hundred. And yet Ranger came out the winner (see Table.).
Dispute drivers
Mitsubishi is clearly faster than this American respect.
Where, say, the speed will take if the weight is the same, and the horses and Newton are less? Yes, and shakes in the Japanese, like on a jackhammer.
For the vibration truck acceptable, it is in Ford.
This dispute will only stop the measurement program on the dynamometer, where according to opinions and doubts you can hit by science and numbers. A miracle, of course, did not happen. The more powerful ranger was faster and more dynamic, and the accurate device said it so much. But the feeling of sensation continued to deceive. The Japanese faster performs the driver teams, creating the impression of the machine more thanks. The L200 reacts sharper to the rotation of the steering wheel. His diesel sharper responds to work a gas pedal, the car is less cable in turns. Ford will think, runs the engine, is pretty, and then takes and all the same team will overtake.
The biggest difference in the suspension settings. A rigid Japanese pickup transmits each hole on the body and potholes that Ranger implies swimming in the best American traditions. On the tramway, the advantage in comfort on the asphalt is undoubtedly, but turns around for off-road challenges.
At the humpback, Ford begins to actively swinging from the nose on the stern and now the front suspension stop limiters have to drop speed. Japanese, although jumping on the pits and koldobinam, that your goat, but the principle is more than a gase.
Well, finally, a few words about Pentility. Potential car capabilities here are very close to the amazing similarity of design solutions. In the asset, both have a four-wheel drive, a rear self-locking differential, a Diesel, decent protection of the belly (Ford is more violent).
In a passive Pickup: weak geometric indicators due to a long base and a large rear sweep and unloaded, on a blank machine, rear axle. Much, of course, depends on the tire toothiness and driver skills, but in general off-road talents are as follows: you should not climb into the swamp or twice arableay, but to mask the risky calary, inaccessible to simple cars, the pickles are quite forces.
Dispute buyers
Like a dispute, the choice will be hard cars are very close, and the differences are not so significant. When choosing, probably, it is worth navigating the financial indicators (the price of the car, additional equipment, maintenance, credit conditions) and the personal addiction externally differ quite strongly.
So what car is better?
And what movie do you like more, Japanese seven samurai or American magnificent seven?

SUMMARY
Ford Ranger is a very comfortable all-wheel drive car adapted to the carriage of goods.
+ Not bad dynamic indicators, the comfort of the suspension on the asphalt, reliable protection of the aggregates, an attractive price.
- a noticeable deterioration in the characteristics of the loaded machine, a tendency to a split on the broken roads, noticeable rolls in turns.

Mitsubishi L200 comfortable, small, hard and fast all-wheel drive truck, adapted to the transport of people.
+ Impedable suspension, acute and accurate control, practical interior trim, attractive price.
- Low Comfort on the off-road, weak fuel tank protection, mediocre dynamics.
 
 

Igor Ruddunov, Anton Chuikin. Photo: Igor Tverdunov

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"