Sleek New Ford Ranger able to tough it out<\/p>\n
Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Sukabumi, West Java<\/p>\n
The moderator looked ahead and asked, \"Any questions\".<\/p>\n
None of the journalists, gathered at the Lido Lakes hotel in
\nSukabumi, West Java, on Tuesday, raised their hands. The more
\nimpatient among them shouted, \"Let's just try the car\".<\/p>\n
Within seconds, they were lined up front of the hotel and
\nready to take a seat in the New Ford Ranger.<\/p>\n
The former model -- with a 2.9lt engine and four-wheel drive
\n(4x4) line-up -- has been superseded by the new version boasting
\na 2.5lt engine and 4x2 line-up.<\/p>\n
We drove the car from the hotel to its ATV (All Terrain
\nVehicle) track, about eight kilometers away. Traversing the
\nnarrow, muddy and bumpy track beside cassava and banana fields,
\nthe new 4x2 Ranger earned its nickname of \"the little truck\".<\/p>\n
Even with smaller engine capacity of 2,499cc, the vehicle
\nstill had the strength -- with maximum power of 90 Horse Power
\n(HP) at 4,100 rotations per minute (rpm) -- to overcome the tough
\nterrain.<\/p>\n
There are now eight variants available on the market -- the
\nsingle cabin 2.9lt 4x4, double cabin 2.5lt 4x4 XLT, the Hurricane
\n4x4, double cabin 4x4 limited, double cabin 2.9lt 4x4, double
\ncabin 4x2, Rear Access System (RAS) cabin 2.9lt 4x2 and single
\ncabin 2.5lt 4x2.<\/p>\n
PT Ford Motor Indonesia is optimistic of its capacity \"to
\nchallenge the potential opportunity in the one-ton pick-up
\ntruck\", said the company's general marketing manager, Bagus
\nSusanto.<\/p>\n
Among the different variants, the RAS, commonly known as the
\none-and-a-half cabin, is likely to grab most of the attention
\nfrom customers.<\/p>\n
\"The area behind the seats can be opened up to load stuff that
\nyou don't want to put in the back,\" Bambang said.<\/p>\n
Unlike the double cabin, the RAS has steel plating on its
\nrooof and no fixed b-pillar, giving it 30 percent greater
\nstrength in its body structure.<\/p>\n
Although the New Ranger is designed as a fresher, more
\nattractive model, theree is no compromising on its hardy
\nqualities. The grill and the headlights are bigger than the old
\nversion, and the integrated bumper does away with that heavy
\ntruck look.<\/p>\n
Since the car's launching over a year ago, the company has
\nsold over 1,331 units, almost double its target of 700, mostly to
\nmining, oil and timber companies in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Nusa
\nTenggara.<\/p>\n
\"We are confident that with these new models, we can widen our
\nrange of offerings that fit the needs of both commercial users
\nand city dwellers,\" said Will Angove, the company's president
\ndirector.<\/p>\n
Although it sets no target for the New Ranger, Ford aims to
\ntake over the market leader position from Daihatsu Hi-Line in the
\n4x4 line-up and Toyota Kijang in the 4x2 line-up.<\/p>\n
\"Our 4x2 Ranger is aimed at people who have businesses and
\nneed a transportation device to load their goods, but at the same
\ntime can use the car for personal purposes,\" Bagus said.<\/p>\n
More adventurous customers may want to personalize their cars.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we also provide accessories for those who want
\ntheir car to look more luxurious or macho,\" said Bambang
\nPriandoyo, the company's product planning and pricing analyst.<\/p>\n
Accessories for the Hurricane and double cabin 4x4 limited
\ninclude leather seats, leather shift knob and steering wheel,
\nfootsteps, two-tone color and CD changer. Both variants are also
\nequipped with SRS airbags for the driver and passenger.<\/p>\n
The New Ranger is offered from Rp 99 million (US$12,118) for
\nthe single cabin 2.5lt 4x2 model -- the price is only valid until
\nJuly 31 -- to Rp 237.3 million for the double cabin 2.5lt 4x4
\nHurricane model.<\/p>\n
Since the main market is outside Java, the company said it is
\nlooking to open more dealerships in Pekanbaru, Palembang,
\nBalikpapan, Makassar and Denpasar, as well as Surabaya and
\nSemarang in Java, this year to provide comprehensive after-sales
\nservice.<\/p>",
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