Speculation Abounds Regarding Ford Ranger Replacement

Since the early 1970s, the Ford Motor Company has had a small pickup truck in its line up, initially selling the Mazda built Ford Courier before replacing that model with the Ford Ranger in 1983. Today, the Ranger soldiers on but the truck is woefully outdated and needing a major makeover. Indeed, Ford says that the current model will be retired in 2011, but has been pretty much mum about its replacement.

What Truck Is This?

Ford appears to be committed to selling a compact pickup truck, a segment with plenty of room to grow. Lots of people like the big Ford F-150, but find it to be too much truck for their needs. GM, Toyota and Nissan all have newer, smaller trucks in their line ups, with the latter two companies dominating the entry level truck market.

Over the past few months, spy shots of what appears to be a new Ford truck have surfaced on the internet. For its part, Ford has said that a truck slightly smaller than the F-150, dubbed the F-100 might hit the market, while others know that Ford plans to roll out a compact truck overseas through its Thailand operation.

Giving Ford Australia Responsibility

Ford has also tasked Ford Australia with designing and developing a new truck, code-named the T6 which could be readied for world markets other than the US in 2011. That model is expected to be equipped with various small gas and diesel engines, the types of powerplants desired in most markets. Recent rumors have indicated that prototypes of the T6 are being tested in the US right now, which would show that Ford may be taking a new approach with the Ranger.

So why would Ford hold the Ranger or its replacement back from the US market? For one, costs make building the truck here prohibitive – like so many small Ford cars, building them in markets where labor costs are low is the only way Ford can turn a profit with the Ranger. In addition, US safety and emissions requirements add to the cost of building the Ranger, one more reason why getting the replacement Ranger to the US market may be a tall order to fill.

We’ll let you know if we hear fresh speculation about the replacement Ranger. Ford has its hands full bringing the Fiesta and all new Focus to the market, compact cars which could pave the way for the next generation Ranger.

See Also — Is Ford Itching To Sell Mazda?

Mazda3: Dressed To Impress!

Mazda rolled out the next generation of its hugely popular compact car, the Mazda3, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show and I must say that I am impressed by this model. One in three Mazdas sold worldwide is the Mazda3 (called the Acela in Japan) and that doesn’t surprise me: the car is one of the most attractive, versatile and interesting cars in the compact car segment.  I’ll share more information about the Mazda3 following the seven pictures featured:

Now in its second generation, the 2010 Mazda3 (available Spring 2009) offers the following:

• A richer looking, more dynamic exterior design
• Added driving enjoyment with improved performance in all areas
• Progressive environmental and safety features
• A higher level of standard and optional equipment
• A level of sophistication above that available from any other car in the segment

The MAZDA3 i is powered by an MZR 2.0-liter four-in-line engine delivering 148 horsepower at 6500 rpm (PZEV = 144 @ 6500 rpm) and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (PZEV = 132 @ 4500 rpm). Aluminum block and head construction saves weight. In the interests of power and efficiency, four valves per cylinder are operated by dual overhead camshafts.

The new MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine fitted to the MAZDA3 s is borrowed from the larger all-new 2009 MAZDA6. It shares the same construction features of the 2.0-liter engine while upping output to 167 horsepower at 6000 rpm (PZEV = 165 @ 6000 rpm) and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm (PZEV = 167 @ 4000 rpm). Both engines employ advanced electronic throttle actuation. Mazda’s exclusive torque base control technology provides a highly linear acceleration response to every change of throttle pedal pressure.

A slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard in the MAZDA3 i, while the MAZDA3 s is equipped with a six-speed stick-shift transmission. A five-speed electronically controlled Sport-AT automatic transmission is available in both models. Sport-AT offers enthusiastic drivers the control of manual gear engagement with the convenience and comfort of a conventional automatic.

Fuel economy is exemplary and was key to the vehicle’s development. The MAZDA3 i achieves 25 mpg in city driving with the manual transmission and 24 mpg with the automatic. The highway mileage with the 2.0-liter engine is 33 mpg with either transmission. The MAZDA3 s also tops 20 mpg in all conditions. Equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, its city rating is 21 mpg, rising to 22 mpg with the 5-speed automatic. The highway rating is 29 mpg with either transmission.

Source: Mazda USA