Test drive Ford Ranger 1992 - 2010 compartment
Ford Ranger. A real ranger
Ford Ranger. Price: from 1,229,000 rubles*. On sale: 2009 To be honest, the question was idle: did not experience the updated Ford Ranger on the rally? A good test drive would have turned out. These words were addressed to Ekaterina Kulinenko, the director of public relations Ford Russia. The answer was short: the idea is interesting. When do you need a car?
Test pillets
Victor Berezovsky, 51 years old, head of the rally team, driving experience 33 years, personal car - Peugeot 206
Stanislav Shustitsky, 56 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 29 years, personal car - Chevrolet Lanos
And this said Katya, who knows what rally is, firsthand! It is clear that it was about using Ranger as an organizer’s car, a zero crew, whose task is to explore the route before the start of the main channel, checking the readiness of refereeing brigades, and the prevention of spectators. Nevertheless, no one canceled the strict rates of the rally schedule for zeros, and therefore the speed on the special stages should be maintained appropriate. In general, for me there were no ways to retreat, and for the formation of the crew there was only a call to a friend of the Russian vice-champion in the rally, master of sports Viktor Berezovsky.
The fact that the decision on the participation of Ranger in the rally was made by brave people was confirmed by the fact that the most expensive of the Wildtrak model with Double Cab in version XLT was provided to our disposal to our disposal. If the previous version of the Ford Ranger showed reliability and utilitarianism with its chopped forms, then in the current model the exterior combines brutality with a light glamor raid. The lines of the grille of the radiator and the front bumper became softer, the former rectangular headlights acquired light solidness. Special thanks to the designers for the large, no, just huge side mirrors, since there is little to see little to the rear view mirror, through the rear window covered with a net. By the way, despite the large area of \u200b\u200bmirrors, their shape was optimized by blowing in an aerodynamic pipe.
It is clear that we were more interested in the capabilities of Ranger to complete the alleged task. The verdict was made even after a cursory inspection: ready for battle without any additional preparation, it is necessary to establish only the radio, flashing lights and siren required by the competition rules. The first thing Victor did, taking a place behind the wheel was immediately instead of the gearbox lever the mechanical box grabbed the closer lever of the handout. Such a location for a carbon copy migrated from the right -handed English version. It is inconvenient, but you can’t call it a serious minus, just ergonomics requires addiction. More serious claims to a short pillow of a driver's seat that does not have a height adjustment, legs begin to flow quite quickly. Looking ahead, I want to note that this is the list of claims that we compiled in two days of communication with the new Ranger ends.
To the first special stages of the Cup of Russia, the St. Petersburg Rally, we go along the broken asphalt of the Priozersky highway, on which Ranger wheels honestly recount all potholes and potholes. And there is nothing to be surprised here, because the suspension of the updated model remained unchanged: a special two -lever with the torsiones, the springs and an uncertain bridge ahead. And if we take into account that the car capacity exceeds a ton, then there is no need to expect a particular soft move from an unrounding car. The steering was not surprised by surprises: without unnecessary sharpness, but quite informative. But we celebrated good sound insulation on the first day of the test, when in the course of familiarization with the highway we made up a high -speed transcript.
And here is what everything was started for, the first gravel special power of the rally. The updated Ranger is equipped with two options for Duratorq TDCI turbodiesel engines with volumes of 2.5 and 3.0 liters, but only a version with a smaller weight engine is delivered to Russia. Nevertheless, it is 143 liters. With. It is quite sufficient to quickly accelerate a car weighing 1800 kg. The maximum power develops at 3500 min-1, and the maximum torque is achieved in the region of 2000 min-1. As always, beyond the praise of the clarity of the Ford's gearbox, which was especially important in high -speed driving mode. But the course of the clutch pedal is excessively long, but on this you focus only if you need a quick gear shift. Fast riding along an uneven gravel highway (the speed on special stages often exceeded 130 km/h) seemed more comfortable to us than on a broken asphalt under the conditions of compliance with traffic rules. Yes, a light pickup backbone jumped on the potholes and broke into the skins of high -speed turns, but the car was easily stabilized by the discharge of gas and a predicted rotation of the steering wheel. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the machine was equipped with asphalt tires, which clearly did not contribute to a good clutch with slippery, loose gravel.
By the way, we did not turn off the ABS system, but we did not experience noticeable discomfort for how braking occurs, we got used to it quickly. Suddenly it was possible to check the car on the light of the light OFF-ROD: leaving one of the special stages was a looping narrow forest path with a rather deep crossed rut. Here, 205 millimeters of the clearance of our Ranger were very useful: both the car was not scratched, and in time they managed to at the next time control point. At the finish line in Priozersk, we arrived without delay, fulfilling all the duties assigned to the crew, and in complete bewilderment that some of the participants on which the light was scolding the state of the highway. Perhaps, due to the fact that this time we could completely abstract from the wrestling, but from the height of our scout this rally seemed to us a rather pleasant and absolutely safe adventure. By the way, the functionaries of the Automobile Federation of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region were very interested in the functionality of the Ford Ranger and, probably, this visit to the racing tracks was not the last. Options
Like the previous model, the updated Ford Ranger will be delivered to Russia in two modifications: with cabs of Double Cab and Rap Cab. It is worth noting that the novelty not only became prettier, but also significantly went up. The cheapest equipment with the RAP CAB cabin will cost 980,000 rubles, and for Wildtrak, similar to that we were provided, we will have to pay about 1,280,000 rubles.
We do not love
I liked the engine: moderately powerful, painful and quite economical. Correctly
Salon with thoughtful ergonomics and a pleasant interior. Nicely
Large mirrors and good review provide, and look beautiful. Comfortable
Driving
All without surprises. Given the constructive features, there are no complaints.
Salon
Everything is in order with ergonomics. Unless the levers of the distribution and gear shifts are replaced.
Comfort
Good sound insulation. There is no minus adjustment in height of the driver's seat pillow.
Safety
The standard has 2 airbags, and the XLT model also has side pillows. ABS with an electronic distribution of brake efforts.
Price
For this model, it seemed high to us.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Predictable handling, good dynamics, comfortable interior, interesting exterior.
- The price is high. But this is leveled by the possibility of choosing a configuration.
Specifications
Mark and model - Ford Ranger 2.5 Tdci Wildtrak Double Cab
Dimensions - 5175x1805x1795 mm
Engine - turbodiesel, 2499 cm3, 143 hp/3500 min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 5 -t., C lowering gear
Dynamics - Max 158 km/h; 12.5 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Mazda BT -50, Mitsubishi LT200, Nissan NP300
Our opinion
The Ford Motor Company designers managed to comply with the principle of not getting a harm restyling did not reduce the business qualities of a well -established model. The success of the Ford Ranger in the Russian market will largely depend on whether customers will consider the changes made by adequate price.
Author: Stanislav Shustitsky
Photo: Vladimir Chugai
Source: Magazine 5 wheel [January 2010]
