Ford gives global debut to Ranger Wildtrak and B-Max in Geneva

Ford debuted the all-new Ranger T6 at the Sydney Motor Show late last year, and now in Geneva, a new variant dubbed the Ranger Wildtrak makes its first global appearance alongside the Fiesta-based B-Max MPV. Also present are the Ford Vertrek Concept and Ford Focus Electric making their first European appearances.

Familiar friends sitting the Ford EUCD platform, namely the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy are all present as well, but boasting newly enhanced powertrains with Ford’s Auto-Start-Stop technology fitted to selected variants. A new 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine is added to the selection, and while its 114 horses is not likely to set anyone’s heart on fire, its serving of 270Nm of torque delivered between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm should at least ensure a lag-free drive.

Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission in the Mondeo, the new 1.6 TDCI engine is quoted with a combined fuel consumption of 4.9 l/100km and CO₂ emissions rated at 129 g/km. The heavier S-Max and Galaxy are both rated at 5.4 l/100km and 144 g/km. Economy of this engine can be further enhanced by specifying the Ford Auto-Start-Stop function, and for the Mondeo, customers can even opt for the specially-tuned ECOnetic version rated at 4.3 l/100km and 114 g/km.

Unlike the tough and brutal model that currently serves the market, the all-new Ford Ranger Wildtrak has evolved to make the trucking experience a more pleasant one. It does not appear to have gone soft – tough design lines see to that – but there are now a host of features which you would not have previously found on a pick-up truck. How does reverse camera (with image displayed on the rear view mirror), ESP, sat nav, and Bluetooth voice control sound to you?

Developed entirely by Ford Australia, the new Ranger will be offered with three different cab body styles, 4×2 and 4×4 drive trains, two ride heights, and up to five series to choose from. Primary production plants are Thailand, South Africa, and Argentina. Two engine options, both diesels, are offered for the European market – a 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre 5-cylinder.

The new 2.2 Duratorq TDCI motor is rated to produce 148hp and 375Nm, very close to the 154hp/380Nm 3.0-litre engine powering the Everest. Meanwhile, the 3.2 is good for almost 200 horses and twists out a stunning 470Nm of torque. Customers have a choice of pairing these engines with either 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Also making its global debut is the B-Max MPV, engineered on underpinnings from the Fiesta. A major talking point on this car would undoubtedly be its elimination of the traditional B-pillar. What it has is a pair of sliding rear doors and the structural function of the B-pillar is engineered into the trailing edge of the front door.

In a car’s structure, the B-pillar plays a key role in side impact protection, and for the B-Max, Ford has affixed special safety interlocks and reinforced latch mechanisms ensure that the doors remain firmly fixed in place should the unfortunate happen – allowing the doors to act as a virtual B-pillar. According to Ford, this concept has been shown in previous concept cars by other manufacturers, but the difference with Ford’s effort this time is that the design is production ready.

KON

Pictures: Official Ford release.

See also: All-new Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 to debut at Sydney Motor Show