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New 2001 Ford Ranger takes it to
the ‘edge’
CHICAGO, Feb. 10,
2000 – The Ford Ranger has had an edge on the competition for a long
time, but today a new edgy evolution of the best-selling compact
pickup – the 2001 Ford Ranger – debuts at the Chicago Auto Show.
Styling, powertrain performance enhancements and a new series – the
Edge – headline changes to Ford Ranger for the 2001 model year.
Under the hood, a powerful 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 is now available,
providing 45 more horsepower and 10 more foot-pounds of torque. The
new engine is coupled with a new five-speed, adaptive shift,
automatic transmission or a heavy-duty five-speed manual
transmission.
The new Edge series is geared to individuals with an active
lifestyle who want the capability of the “Built Ford Tough” Ranger
pickup along with a sportier, more rugged image.
“The 2001 Ranger is a winner in all aspects of the word – giving
customers more of what they want – both in styling and performance,”
said Jim O’Connor, president of Ford Division. “Customers with
active lifestyles seek a vehicle that features driving and
performance versatility. We are responding to this demand by
offering a Ranger that is tough, athletic and on the edge.”
Chassis refinements, including revised front suspension tuning and a
sound package, improve ride quality and increase interior quietness
while the four wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) – now standard
across the board – adds confidence to driving under all conditions.
The 2001 Ranger features Ford’s Belt-Minder™ system, designed to
remind occupants to buckle up. Also added are safety belt
pretensioners, devices that tighten the front safety belt and help
prevent belted occupants from sliding and bouncing around during a
crash.
The Edge – Sporty and Youthful
Designed to appeal to buyers seeking a cool-looking truck with
features to support their active work and leisure needs, Ranger’s
new Edge series features bold new styling. Key features include:
– Power dome hood
– Monochromatic exterior color treatment
– 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrain – 4×2 drivetrain features same ride height
as 4×4
– Standard 3.0-liter V-6 engine with manual
transmission
– 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 with automatic transmission
available
– Standard painted silver styled wheels; available
16-inch five spoke aluminum wheels and 245 OWL A/T tires
– Front
tow hooks
– Optional bed extender
– Pickup box rail
protectors
– Washable flooring
– CD radio standard and
optional in-dash six disc CD changer available
XLT – Personality and Comfort
The Ranger XLT attracts the highest number of customers in the
Ranger lineup. Ranger XLT continues to provide customers with
interior and exterior features they want in a fun-to-drive vehicle.
The XLT comes standard with a 60/40 cloth split bench seat, air
conditioning, power windows and door locks, power mirrors and AM/FM
stereo with single-CD player.
XL – Value Oriented
The Ranger XL appeals to younger and economically minded customers
such as small businesses and fleets.
Powertrain
Ranger is offered as a Regular Cab, two-door SuperCab or four-door
SuperCab, with a 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrain. The truck features three
engines – a standard 2.5-liter I-4, an optional 3.0-liter V-6, or
an optional 4.0-liter SOHC V-6.
New for the 2001 Ranger is the optional 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 which
boasts 205 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 235 foot-pounds of torque at
3,000 rpm.
The 3.0-liter Vulcan V-6 engine will continue to be offered on
Ranger and is standard on all Edge series models, delivering 150
horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 185 foot-pounds of torque at 3,750 rpm.
The 2.5-liter SEFI I-4, standard on XL and XLT series, achieves 119
horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 146 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm.
In November, a new I-4 engine featuring improved power, performance,
fuel economy and emission levels will replace the current 2.5-liter
I-4. Further details regarding the new I-4 engine will be provided
at a later date.
Innovative Equipment
The 2001 Ranger offers innovative features, allowing Ranger to fit
customers’ demanding lifestyles.
For the customer who needs to carry large, longer loads, an optional
bed extender is offered. The tubular steel bed extender is a curved
cage unit that attaches to the rear of pickup bed. With the
tailgate lowered, the unit pivots from its stowed position within
the box and locks into place extending the load-floor by 23 inches
to securely carry cargo. With the tailgate closed, the stowed bed
extender provides a convenient storage area, keeping smaller items
from sliding around the bed while the truck is in motion.
A two-piece hard tonneau cover also is available with a lockable
front compartment. The cover opens from the front or rear, allowing
customers easy access to their cargo. In order to improve ease of
use, both sides of the cover are spring loaded. In addition, the
front and rear of the bed can be treated as two separate
compartments or as one space, thanks to a cargo divider that is
mounted to the tonneau cover hinge.
For customers who demand a more powerful sound system, an optional
80-watt AM/FM stereo with a six-disc, in-dash CD player is
available.
Truck Market
With 13 years of sales leadership in the compact pickup segment
under its belt, Ford has proven it knows who its Ranger customers
are and what they want in a truck. In calendar year 1999,
approximately 350,000 Ranger trucks were sold in the United States.
Ranger also has a history of off road racing dominance in
Championship Off Road Racing (C.O.R.R.) and Best in the Desert
competitions.
Ranger is manufactured at: Twin Cities Assembly Plant, St. Paul,
Minn.; Edison Assembly Plant, Edison, N.J.
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