Ford Launches Bold New Ranger FX4

[russellw]

Ford Australia kicks off 2017 in style with the introduction of the Ford Ranger FX4, the first XLT based Special Edition for PX Ranger Mk II, arriving in dealerships during February

Ranger FX4 features a tough new look and is loaded with unique updates, including 18-inch Stark Grey alloy wheels, black roof rails, black bonnet and tailgate and black sports bar, rear bumper, side steps and door handles, plus leather accented seats

Ranger FX4 builds on the momentum of the award winning Ranger XLT, Drive’s Best Ute 2015 and 2016, and loaded with SYNC®31, Ford’s latest infotainment platform, the FX4 has the smarts to match its looks

Ranger is one of the centerpieces of Ford’s $2 billion investment in R&D in Australia since 2009, with a further $450 million to be invested in R&D in 2017, following the opening of the Asia-Pacific Product Development Centre at Broadmeadows, Victoria, last December.

MELBOURNE, February 15, 2017 –NewYear’smay have come and gone but Ford Australiais giving customers reason to celebrate with the introduction of the Ranger FX4, the first XLT based Special Edition for PX Ranger MkII.

Building on the success of the Ranger XLS Special Edition, the Ranger FX4 is designed for customers looking for a bit more attitude from one of Australia’s favourite vehicles. Australian teams led the design and engineering of Ranger and its popularity continues to grow with 36,934 Rangers sold in Australia throughout 2016, a year-on-year increase of more than 26-percent.
“The Ranger FX4 makes a great pick-up even more extraordinary with its unique style and boldness, and that’s a difficult thing to do with a vehicle that has just won back-to-back Drive
Best Ute awards in 2015 and 2016’, said Graeme Whickman, President and CEO, Ford Australia.
‘We developed the Ranger FX4 for our customers that are a bit bolder than most and make use of the towing and payload capabilities of the Ranger XLT,’ added Whickman.

Turn Heads with the Bold, Tough and Capable FX4:
The Ranger FX4 adds the following features to the standard Ranger XLT:

- Larger, Stark Grey Alloy Wheels (18-inch) with New Unique Design
- Black Roof Rails
- Black Bonnet and Tailgate Decal Wraps
- Side Decals with ‘FX4’ Branding
- Black Sports Bar, Rear Bumper, Side Steps and Door Handles
- Black Grille (with Unique Design), Fog Lamp Bezels, Exterior Mirrors and Fender Features
- Leather Accented ‘FX4’ Branded Seats
- Front and Rear Carpet Mats
- Black Interior Highlights

The Ranger FX4 is available exclusively in Frozen White, Ingot Silver2, Magnetic2and Shadow Black2 exterior colours.

Stunning Looks at an Outstanding Price:
The Manufacturer’s List Price of the Ford Ranger FX4 is:
4x4 XLT Double Pick-up 3.2L MT $58,915
4x4 XLT Double Pick-up 3.2L AT $61,115

* Recommended Manufacturer's List Price only. Price shown includes GST but excludes Dealer delivery fee and statutory charges. The selling price of any vehicle is at the discretion of the selling Dealer.

Beauty and Brains:
Ranger FX4 has the looks and, thanks to SYNC®3,1 the brains to match. SYNC®3 is Ford’s latest in-vehicle communications and entertainment platform that features Apple CarPlay,3 Android Auto3, faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, intuitive smartphone-like touchscreen and an improved graphic user interface.

SYNC 3 highlights:
New ‘Home’ screen with clearer layout and large icons for quicker access to functions including audio system, climate control, smart-phone (including compatible apps) and satellite navigation (where fitted).

New 8.0-inch touch-screen with capacitive touch technology allows ‘pinch and swipe’ capability on select features (similar to a smart-phone or tablet).

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration includes ability to access Apple Siri and Google Now (with compatible device).
Compatible apps include Spotify, Pandora and Google Maps.
More customisable and easier-to-navigate settings and user preferences.

Going Further for Australia and Australian Customers
The launch of the Ranger FX4 is the latest example of how Ford is going further for its Australian customers as it continues to introduce 20 new or updated models by 2020.
Ranger and Everest are the centerpieces of Ford’s $2 billion investment in R&D in Australia since 2009, with a further $450 million to be invested in R&D in 2017, following the opening of the Asia-Pacific Product Development Centre at Broadmeadows, Victoria, last December.
Ford Australia is home to 1100 engineers and designers, with the company set to become the largest auto employer in the nation after 2017.

[bernbo]

Oh wow new colours, stickers and a different grill. Just like tickford but no change in performance. Despite bleeding ford blue jeez I'm embarrassed sometimes.

[malazn mafia]

Still a gutless 3.2 . Cummins or Coyote power for the win ..

[CyberWasp]

Where is the Raptor.........

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by bernbo

Oh wow new colours, stickers and a different grill. Just like tickford but no change in performance. Despite bleeding ford blue jeez I'm embarrassed sometimes.

Leather seats.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Leather seats.

Leather accented seats... get it right..

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by bernbo

Oh wow new colours, stickers and a different grill. Just like tickford but no change in performance. Despite bleeding ford blue jeez I'm embarrassed sometimes.

Yeah, I'm embarrassed because of comments like this.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Yeah, I'm embarrassed because of comments like this.

As uninspiring as they are in the performance stakes, they are well built and easy to live with. Even the pov pack single cab I drive as a work car is quite well appointed. The only mechanical fail has been a split intercooler pipe at 68k. Surely the higher specs are just as hard wearing an more comfortable.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Leather accented seats... get it right..

Yep like I said, leather seats.

Look at the pictures online

[roddy1960]

G'day all...I don't mind them actually..They seem to get the job done alright. FX4 that is and look okay to me...
Not the bold new one of course FX4 but at our car show last year , a bloke and his better half arrived in a FGX XR8 Sprint (hubby) and a Ranger XLT (better half).
.
They'd picked them up the previous week in Melbourne and put them on the Spirit back to Tassie..The XR8 was the weapon (Victory Gold) and the Ranger XLT was his new tradie work bus..He was telling a bunch of us that he'd had a good run out of the Rangers over the past few years and the deal to buy the pair was pretty inviting.. The Ranger was pretty close to Victory Gold too but maybe a tad darker..

Forgive my ignorance and laziness to find somewhere to check but do we get the Ranger Wild Trak or likely too if not..
One features here in this fairly recent Euro ad... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDNTxi05G8Q ...There's a couple of Rangers in here actually.
.Cheers Rod..

[2011G6E]

Jesus christ, those prices!

No wonder there's so many Tritons around...including in our driveway. We would have loved a Ranger, but once you mention "twin cab 4x4 diesel auto" with a half decent amount of trim, you are looking at nearly sixty bloody grand...for cars that are all spat out of factories up in Thailand or Indonesia anyway....

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Jesus christ, those prices!

No wonder there's so many Tritons around...including in our driveway. We would have loved a Ranger, but once you mention "twin cab 4x4 diesel auto" with a half decent amount of trim, you are looking at nearly sixty bloody grand...for cars that are all spat out of factories up in Thailand or Indonesia anyway....

Keep it real and keep rocking that fifth generation of recycled run out try it on

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Jesus christ, those prices!

No wonder there's so many Tritons around...including in our driveway. We would have loved a Ranger, but once you mention "twin cab 4x4 diesel auto" with a half decent amount of trim, you are looking at nearly sixty bloody grand...for cars that are all spat out of factories up in Thailand or Indonesia anyway....

I made the same observation in another thread just last week. The margins on these things must be astronomical, especially when you consider the low development dollars required compared to a normal car. Where those huge profits are being declared is another question...

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Jesus christ, those prices!

No wonder there's so many Tritons around...including in our driveway. We would have loved a Ranger, but once you mention "twin cab 4x4 diesel auto" with a half decent amount of trim, you are looking at nearly sixty bloody grand...for cars that are all spat out of factories up in Thailand or Indonesia anyway....

Drive them both then come back...

Ranger still outsells Triton....

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by bernbo

Oh wow new colours, stickers and a different grill. Just like tickford but no change in performance. Despite bleeding ford blue jeez I'm embarrassed sometimes.

Hey, don't forget the floormats.

The bloke in the "Asia-Pacific Product Development Centre at Broadmeadows" has obviously been working overtime.

I'm starting to think Russ should split this place into two forums.
One for those of us who remember when Ford Australia made cars...

and one for those who want custom stickers on their Thai.

[GTLEGEND]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/522377/2...ing-and-specs/

[Vesper Martini]

Always Thought A Ranger Titanium would be a good option. With all the features from the Everest Titanium has plus air suspension.
Yes I know it would cost a packet but I think there would be a market for it.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Jesus christ, those prices!

No wonder there's so many Tritons around...including in our driveway. We would have loved a Ranger, but once you mention "twin cab 4x4 diesel auto" with a half decent amount of trim, you are looking at nearly sixty bloody grand...for cars that are all spat out of factories up in Thailand or Indonesia anyway....

You keep driving your Triton, you obviously don't know what you are missing out on!

[FPV6]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Drive them both then come back...

Ranger still outsells Triton....

Are you kidding I agree Mitsubishi nooooo chalk and cheese

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Jesus christ, those prices!

No wonder there's so many Tritons around...including in our driveway. We would have loved a Ranger, but once you mention "twin cab 4x4 diesel auto" with a half decent amount of trim, you are looking at nearly sixty bloody grand...for cars that are all spat out of factories up in Thailand or Indonesia anyway....

Triton is a bucket. Only tight ***** buy them. Ranger beats it in every single way, and it's the reason it outsells it probably 3 to 1.

Originally Posted by tranquilized

I made the same observation in another thread just last week. The margins on these things must be astronomical, especially when you consider the low development dollars required compared to a normal car. Where those huge profits are being declared is another question...

Low development dollars? It would be more expensive than a sedan. Look at the spec sheet and you can see it's better equipped than a Falcon ever was. Plus it also needs to be developed to handle off road work, heavy loads, heavy towing, water fording etc. Plus needs work to be suitable for sale in 180 different countries. The development budget is huge.

Might be a bit cheaper to build due to the ladder frame but. But there's a lot of steel in them, and diesels are more expensive to build than petrols are so it's give and take.

[Windsor220]

Triton is perfectly fine for its price. If you just want a dual cab 4x4 and dont want to pay top dollar its the right option. Some people buy them to trash them so dont want to waste 60k.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Two observations:

1. Value for money (not to be confused with price) is a very subjective thing. Some want to have the best of everything and are happy to pay for it. Others want something that gets the job done and are happy to pay the least they can for it. Just because someones perception of value is different to others doesn't mean they are wrong.

2. Why is it that every thread relating to a Ford product has to spiral into a Ford bashing (and then, Ford defending) fest? Most people on here get that there are those who only love Fords because they were made in Australia. Others appreciate the brand as a whole, irrespective of where it is made. Can we just comment on the merits of the product in the future so we don't have to go through all of this ad nauseam?

[RANGEREST]

S**tbox, gutless Rangers, outselling Falcon 36-1, quite saleable I think.
The automotive world has moved on, unlike some of the members here.

[FairmontGS]

I reckon it looks great. Well done Ford

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by RANGEREST

S**tbox, gutless Rangers, outselling Falcon 36-1, quite saleable I think.
The automotive world has moved on, unlike some of the members here.

Just because something is popular and mainstream doesnt mean its good.

Apple phones are overpriced, break easy and are obsolete in no time. But every second person will have one. Doesnt mean its a very good product.

For a more extreme example. Asbestos was a great product back in the day, easy to work with, plenty available, well priced and versatile. But doesnt mean its as good as people think.

"Planking" was an old craze a while ago which everyone did. Doesnt mean it was good.

SUVs are bulky but small, have bigger more expensive tyres etc etc doesnt mean its better than a normal sedan.
The SUV craze has slowed down and being overtaken by the dual cab craze.
Sticker packs are the best thing manufacturers can come up with these days as its cheap and the stupid public laps it up.

Its kind of like Hitler, everyone was excited at first but wait some years then all sorts will go wrong with it.

But i dont really care, i drive my old mostly aussie rubbish (to everybody else) cars. My point = Most new cars are great, but not as good as people reckon and i refuse to move on when im not gaining absolutley no benefit whatsover.
AND im pretty sure binning old cars and making new ones isnt as good for the envirnment as keeping older stuff going. But hey im no expert.
If im going to tow something, im going to go and buy a 2000's model F250 as its actually cheaper to own an run than something like a Ranger. I can say this as my parents own a new Ranger and i know some people who had an F250 for 500,000kms.



PS: this post isnt entirley aimed at you RANGEREST so dont take it personally!

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

...
I'm starting to think Russ should split this place into two forums.
One for those of us who remember when Ford Australia made cars...

and one for those who want custom stickers on their Thai.

Yup. Those of us who still enjoy Ford Aus vehicles (which just so happened to be the bankbone of this Forum) and one for those who enjoy their Camry Corollas with a blue badge on the front and back.

[CyberWasp]

How come Mazda didn't make a sticker pack to cover the front of the BT-50 :(

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

How come Mazda didn't make a sticker pack to cover the front of the BT-50 :(

Well they were offering free bull bars for a while

[jgmdat]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

Just because something is popular and mainstream doesnt mean its good.

Apple phones are overpriced, break easy and are obsolete in no time. But every second person will have one. Doesnt mean its a very good product.

For a more extreme example. Asbestos was a great product back in the day, easy to work with, plenty available, well priced and versatile. But doesnt mean its as good as people think.

"Planking" was an old craze a while ago which everyone did. Doesnt mean it was good.

SUVs are bulky but small, have bigger more expensive tyres etc etc doesnt mean its better than a normal sedan.
The SUV craze has slowed down and being overtaken by the dual cab craze.
Sticker packs are the best thing manufacturers can come up with these days as its cheap and the stupid public laps it up.

Its kind of like Hitler, everyone was excited at first but wait some years then all sorts will go wrong with it.

But i dont really care, i drive my old mostly aussie rubbish (to everybody else) cars. My point = Most new cars are great, but not as good as people reckon and i refuse to move on when im not gaining absolutley no benefit whatsover.
AND im pretty sure binning old cars and making new ones isnt as good for the envirnment as keeping older stuff going. But hey im no expert.
If im going to tow something, im going to go and buy a 2000's model F250 as its actually cheaper to own an run than something like a Ranger. I can say this as my parents own a new Ranger and i know some people who had an F250 for 500,000kms.



PS: this post isnt entirley aimed at you RANGEREST so dont take it personally!

Exactly, McDonalds sell the most burgers but are a long way from being the best.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Low development dollars? It would be more expensive than a sedan. Look at the spec sheet and you can see it's better equipped than a Falcon ever was. Plus it also needs to be developed to handle off road work, heavy loads, heavy towing, water fording etc. Plus needs work to be suitable for sale in 180 different countries. The development budget is huge.

Might be a bit cheaper to build due to the ladder frame but. But there's a lot of steel in them, and diesels are more expensive to build than petrols are so it's give and take.

Well you'd know more about it than me, but my way of thinking is that with most modern cars a huge amount of effort is put into things like weight savings, composite metals, alloy suspension components, nurburgring testing (increasingly so!) and also needs to work in many countries. Off road, heavy loads, heavy towing - they're more or less known quantities.

But yeah, you're out at the proving grounds and say the development budget is huge - huge in comparison to the Falcon, or huge in comparison to say the new Mustang, or a new gen Merc C class or something?

I just googled it, only thing I could find was reference to Ford Australia earning $700 million in design and technical fees for their work on the Ranger. Holden spent $1 billion on the VE. Fair comparison?