Just uglier.

 

thats definately different.

 

Not my pics, But I saw this same or a very similar MULE southboound on I-275 a month ago just south of I-94 (west of the motor city). I thought from the lines it was a Mazda mule... replacement ranger seems logical.

 

Some more good spy pics http://carsspyphotos.com/2012-ford-ranger/

 

Holy ***** that is ugly, looks like a nissan and a colorado mixed!

 

I know I'm digging up the past here but I have 2 questions.

1. Do you think all Toyota factories employ Japanese people only?

2. How much PROFIT do you think there is in a vehicle, percentage wise?

I will NOT buy/drive an inferior vehicle based on the badge on the fender or where it's made.

 

oh you poor thing....you have to drive a Chevy for a work truck....anyway...don't judge you guys. as far as we know, this is just a basic body shell for early testing of the drivetrain. I'll throw $500 on the table betting that truck will look completely different than that early test mule. it's nothing close to anything in the current Ford lineup, so it wouldn't do. sure it's now but wait until we get some later test pics.

 

Looks like it was rolled over in a crash. That windscreen is a real slope..
Might be for the Thailand bunch... It fits there foreheads.

 

You mite be right, in SA we get Euro/Thai Fords and their latest Ranger just hit our shores and to be honest im dissapointed. The previous two versions really stood out from the car look alike bunch and reminded us of the F series, but this latest version just went back to its "im actually a mazda" look. No doubt a capable truck but yaiks i like a pickup to look like a pickup and not a sedan. Come to think of it some sedans look more truck like. There, i feel better now...

 

I thought I saw three trucks that looked identical to those, only "painted" black and running around up here in Big Snow Country last winter (Good Year has a winter testing facility in the area). My impression was that the trucks weren't fitted with panels that actually belonged on them and where there was good fit and finish (pillars, back of cab, etc.) indicating production potential there was heavy taping and camo. Truck was impressive in person- not too big, not too small in size and with a real nice aggressive stance. I, too thought they were probably Nissans until seeing these spy photos. While not being dogmatic about it, I also agree that we should buy American. The jobs are one thing but the profits and r&d staying stateside are a tremendous boost to our national economy. How many core industries can we lose and still maintain our current standard of living? Apparently one less than we have already lost, if our current economic mess is any indication.

 

I hope it does not keep the Honda windscreen... To save MPG

 

How would you rate the vehicles size compared to the current version?

 

My sighting too was quite brief- saw them rolling down the highway, three in a row, nearly bumper to bumper, for about 30 seconds in 35 mph traffic so this all just my impression. I was, however, driving a late model Ranger so it was actually quite easy to make a size comparison. Seemed about the same length as the current Sport Trac, was slightly wider than current Ranger, had about the same ground clearance as the current US Ranger 4x4 but the cab seemed taller- perhaps an indication of better headroom? I will definately buy one, so long as the final sheetmetal isn't totally ugly. Sure hope Dearborn changes it's mind and the US market gets the deisel that the rest of the world has.

 

Thankyou for the info, come to think of it, twas a silly question to ask of somebody who was driving as well as observing. I will be pleased if the new Ranger will be some what larger and come in line with the Taco and Frontier as their size makes them just a little more use full as far as loadabillity is concerned. Ya, the 3.0 l Diesel is a real gem. Clean too. Just wish they'll gave us a stronger gas motor to.

 

I'm not going judge the truck until I see the finshed product. Ford really needs to do something with the small truck program which is falling behind other companys so I'm just gonna wait and see.