If you were one of the many compact car lovers that were excited when earlier reports of a Ford Ka for the U.S. started showing up – we’ve got some bad news for you this Monday morning. FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally said that the Ford Ka minicar and the new Ford Ranger pickup will not come to the United States.

Mulally said that the Ka has been deemed to small for our American taste and the Fiesta is probably the smallest Ford will ever go on the stateside.

“Our view is that Fiesta is about the smallest vehicle that we think will be a real success in the United States,” Mulally told Automotive News.

The global Ford Ranger is a new compact pickup that is different from the current Ranger sold here. Production of the U.S. Ford ranger is scheduled to end in 2011. Ford is currently looking at options for a replacement.

- By: Kap Shah

We’re not sure why Ford refuses to redesign the U.S. spec two-door Ford Ranger pickup. Nonetheless, across the Atlantic, Ford has just unveiled the new 2010 Ford Ranger for Europe with two additional doors and its “kinetic” design theme.

Influenced by the Ford Ranger Max Concept, the 2010 Ford Ranger offers seating for up to 5-passengers and a towing capacity of 6,600 lbs.

It will be available in three body-configurations with a choice of a 143-hp 2.5L or 156-hp 3.0L TDCi turbo diesel engines. They will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard or a 5-speed automatic as an option.

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

2010 Ford Ranger:

While we won’t be getting a new design to the Ford Ranger pickup for the 2010 model year, Ford Motor of Europe will unveil their redesigned 2010 Ford Ranger at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next month with sales to begin later in April.

Design will be heavily influenced by the Ford Ranger Max Concept seen at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2008 last year. The new 2010 Ranger will offer seating for up to five passengers with a towing capacity of 3,000kg (6,600 lbs).

The new 2010 Ford Ranger will be made available in three body-configurations and a choice of a 143-hp 2.5L or 156-hp 3.0L TDCi turbo diesel engines mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Ford Ranger:

Press Release:

NEW FORD Ranger: READY TO PLAY AS HARD AS IT WORKS

    – Fresh new look for Ford’s popular Ranger pick-up
    – Ranger’s ‘Tough Truck’ capability and seating for up to five offers customers an all-round pick-up well equipped for leisure and the work environment
    – Renowned Ranger driving dynamics and high build quality combine with best-in-class towing capacity
    – New Ranger is available in three body configurations with choice of two fuel-efficient 2.5- and 3.0-litre TDCi turbo diesel engines with five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions
    – New Ranger now also available with automatic transmission paired with the 2.5-litre TDCi engine
    – Distinctive and comprehensive series choice, available as 4×2 or 4×4
    – New Ranger makes its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show

COLOGNE, February 18, 2009 – The new Ford Ranger makes its European debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, combining sleek and modern exterior design with genuine toughness and durability. Ford Ranger plays as hard as it works, both on and off-road.

“The Ford Ranger nameplate is already established in more than 100 markets around the world,” said Henrik Nenzen, Ford of Europe’s Director of Commercial Vehicle Marketing and Sales. “The new
model delivers even more style, comfort and features, making it an ideal choice for a family activity weekend, or a working week.” 

Contemporary and sporty new exterior and interior design details make new Ranger a credible lifestyle choice, while its versatility and ‘tough truck’ underpinnings make it a robust and reliable work partner.

Built in Thailand, the new model will arrive in European Ford showrooms from April and is available in a comprehensive choice of model series, from the entry-level XL to the range-topping Wildtrak.

Bold New Ranger Face and Profile

In design terms, the new front styling gives Ranger a sleeker, more modern look, but also shows it means business.

A large horizontal three-bar grille dominates, and is proudly embossed with RANGER lettering.  Two black vertical nostrils either side of the grille plus the extended opening below the bumperline and large headlamps that wrap around each front corner create an instantly recognisable design statement. The lower bumper fascia also includes integrated foglamps.

New Ranger’s tough contemporary style is supported by solid, modern engineering. The sweeping, tapered front is more aerodynamic and sweeps rearward at its edges to incorporate Ranger’s bold front wheel arches. This key design detail communicates Ranger’s solid, confident stance and grippy handling character, whether in 4×2 or 4×4 configuration.

Design features influenced by extensive wind tunnel testing also include the door mirrors. Increased in size for better visibility, the mirror’s shape – incorporating the LED turn indicator on Wildtrak – was specifically designed to reduce air turbulence and wind noise.

Ranger is available in three body styles – Single Cab, RAP (Rear Access Panel) Cab and Double Cab. The RAP Cab is a four-door system to provide freer access to the cabin by featuring two forward-hinged doors and two rear-hinged access panels. An innovation first introduced to Ranger in 2002, the RAP Cab provides unobstructed access to the spacious interior for ease of entry and cargo loading and an uncompromised side-impact safety structure that replaces the centre pillar of a traditional double cab. In addition a Chassis Cab version is available on both the
single Cab and RAP Cab.

Contemporary Details

A new black vent at the trailing edge of the front wings is one of the key styling signatures. The vent features detailed recessed meshwork which surrounds a chrome Ranger badge on Wildtrak models or the side-indicator repeater.

Ranger’s large door mirrors incorporate feature details to reflect the series choice. The mirror is moulded in black on the XL, finished with a body colour cap for Ranger XLT models and a chrome-finished cap for Ranger Limited and Wildtrak. The door mirrors on Wildtrak feature a high-intensity LED integral turn indicator. Mirrors pivot for tight clearance areas and all series now benefit from electrically heated mirrors for improved visibility.

Rear bumper finishes give further opportunity to reflect model series, so treatments progress from black on the XL to chrome on the higher series with Park Distance Control additionally featuring on the Limited and Wildtrak models.

Ranger is offered with ten high quality exterior paint choices, five of which are new: Highland Green, Wining Blue, Lagoon Blue, Copper Red and Desert Bronze.

New Ranger also debuts a clear tail lamp design – another contemporary cue – that visually unites the smooth tailgate to the sculpted box side. The clear tail lamps further emphasise the reality of car-like styling and features available in Ford’s pick-up range.

Style, Space, Craftsmanship and Comfort

Despite its tough load lugging and off-road capabilities, the new Ranger’s interior offers car-like comfort and low noise levels, thanks to ergonomically crafted seats, climate control and MP3-compatible audio and a bodyshell engineered to isolate road noise from the cabin.

“Minimising NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) in all of our products is a key target for us,” says Nenzen. “Ranger is no exception to this and the new model is more comfortable than ever.”

All Ranger models offer AM/FM radio and an MP3-compatible CD player as standard. The audio unit features a digital display that incorporates a clock function.

The lower centre console features two integral 12-volt power outlets and – on all models except the entry level XL – an additional AUX input connection for popular audio players, such as an iPod.
Ranger also offers an array of clever stowage solutions, including a centre stack sunglass binnacle, a front door stowage bin capable of accommodating a half-litre bottle and a pull-out sliding tray above the glove compartment.

Extending the width of the passenger side of the dashboard, the slideout tray supports a weight of 10 kilograms and is ideal for use as a work surface for writing or map reading.
Ranger’s large centre console features a two-level design. Its top bin is ideal for accommodating smaller items such as a mobile phone, while its lower bin can house larger objects, including up to 10 CD cases.

Power window and mirror controls are a standard feature in all four Ranger series. The driver’s window has a one-touch down feature and the switch is backlit for better night visibility.
Single cab models feature seating for two, the RAP Cab seats four and the Double Cab seats five. The rear seats in the RAP Cab can be folded up to provide secure storage in the cab rather than using the rear load space.

“The high performance air conditioning system, comprehensive audio features and red illumination of the instrument panel coupled with its bold and updated exterior styling make Ranger a very inviting place to be,” said Henrik Nenzen, “It is also the perfect crossover for business-owners and an increasing number of urban drivers seeking a stylish vehicle that reflects and supports their lifestyle choices.”

Ranger Power and Capability

The new Ford Ranger continues to offer a comprehensive choice of engines, transmissions and drivetrain configurations to meet all customer needs.

Two versions of Ford’s Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel engine lead the powertrain line-up. These responsive common-rail diesel engines are available in either 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre versions.
The diesel engines are available in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations and can be paired with either a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.

The 143PS (105kW) 2.5-litre engine is rated at 330Nm and has CO2 emission figures of 227 g/km and 244 g/km respectively in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations and regular cab bodystyle. Using the EC combined fuel consumption cycle the 4×2 regular cab bodystyle travels 100 km using 8.3 litres of fuel and the 4×4 uses 8.9 litres.*

The 156PS (115kW) 3.0-litre version generates 380Nm at the flat peak of its torque curve

“Importantly for all of our customers both TDCi engines produce their maximum torque from just 1,800 rpm,” explains Nenzen. “This makes Ranger ideal for great on-road performance or for hauling and towing with its class leading 3,000kg braked trailer loads.”

The Ranger 4×4 is designed for superior ground clearance and river fording capability. Its approach and departure angles are designed to provide off-road clearance.

Ranger Tough

Ranger isn’t just about tough style. It’s about proven ‘truck toughness’.

Ranger’s toughness starts with a purpose-built truck backbone. Its unique overlapped, cross-braced ladder frame delivers clear strength superiority and the frame is engineered for greater rigidity than H-beam or open-beam configurations.

The frame structure is the foundation of Ranger’s load-carrying capacity, towing capability, durability, handling performance and driving quality.

The Load Ranger

The heart of Ranger’s truck capability is its extra-deep-sidewall pickup box. This design maximises load capacity and cargo flexibility.

The Ranger pick-up box features:

    – Well-placed cargo tiedowns. Easy to access, these tiedown hooks have been designed with Ford’s extensive truck engineering experience
    – Slotted inner fenders that allow the easy insertion of available shelving systems for cargo management and loading

Ranger is available in three pick-up box dimensions depending on cab configuration:

    – Single Cab – 2280mm by 1456mm
    – RAP Cab – 1753mm by 1456mm
    – Double Cab – 1530mm by 1456mm

Ranger also offers class-leading towing capability. Ranger equipped with either the 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre TDCi Duratotq engine is rated at up to 3,000kg.

Yes – this is indeed the 2010 Ford Ranger. Even though the compact pickup remains mostly unchanged from the outside on the inside Ford dropped in new standard safety technology – AdvanceTrac and RSC (Roll Stability Control – that helps the 2010 Ranger from skidding or flipping on rollover conditions. The 2010 Ford Ranger also gets a new combination side airbags as standard.

Power comes from a 2.4L inline 4-cylinder engine that allows an EPA rated fuel-economy of 26 mpg on the highway.

While word on the street is that Ford will eventually kill the Ranger pickup, the addition of new standard safety features hints that Ford will still continue producing the compact pickup.

Click through for the press release.

2010 FORD RANGER: PICKUP ADDS NEW, STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES TO UNSURPASSED FUEL ECONOMY

-  The 2010 Ford Ranger will add as standard equipment this summer a segment-exclusive safety technology – AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) – that helps prevent skidding and dangerous rollover conditions
      
- The new 2010 Ranger also adds new combination side air bags – offered standard – designed for head and torso protection
      
- With 2.3-liter I-4 engine, the Ranger offers unsurpassed pickup fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 26 mpg on the highway
      
- Ford has more U.S. government 5-star safety-rated vehicles than any other brand and more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” than any other automaker
      
DEARBORN, Feb. 6, 2009 – The 2010 Ford Ranger comes to market this summer by adding unique standard safety technologies, including Ford’s AdvanceTrac® with RSC® – the world’s most sophisticated electronic stability control system that helps prevent skidding and rollovers – and combination side air bags.

Industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac with RSC goes a step beyond stability control systems found on competitive models with a gyroscopic roll sensor that determines both the vehicle’s body roll angle and roll rate.

If it detects the vehicle is about to roll, the system automatically applies additional countermeasures – such as reducing engine power 15 percent and/or applying brakes to one or more wheels – to enhance vehicle rollover resistance.

The new Ranger’s head-and-chest combination side air bags provide enhanced head and torso protection in certain side impacts. The side air bag system is designed to cushion the head, minimizing lateral head injuries in case of collision, in addition to acting as a barrier between the occupant and the side of the vehicle,

“The 2010 Ranger’s Roll Stability Control and combination side air bag technologies will help occupants stay out of harm’s way,” said Steve Kozak, chief engineer of safety systems, Ford Motor Company.  “The Ranger has been America’s most fuel-efficient pickup, and now it features a combination of safety features not offered in any other small pickup.”

In addition, Ranger also provides high levels of safety and security with Ford’s Personal Safety System®, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system, all included as standard equipment on all models.

Also standard are four-wheel anti-lock brakes, driver- and front-passenger air bags, safety belts with front pretensioners for outboard seating positions and side-intrusion door beams. Ford’s front-passenger sensing system helps ensure air bags are not deployed on the passenger side when small children are detected.  Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child-seat mounts are provided in the front-passenger seat on all models.

Further adding value to the Ranger is its class-leading fuel economy and low cost of ownership.  With EPA-estimated fuel economy at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the 2.3-liter I-4 engine, Ranger offers unsurpassed fuel economy for pickups.  Plus its 7,500-mile service intervals for routine maintenance, such as oil changes, help Ranger historically rank among the lowest cost of ownership among all compact pickups studied by Edmunds.com.

• •  Ford Ranger Max concept explores future design of Ford Ranger pickup.
• •  Ranger Max gets tough style, power dome and sportsbar as key features.
• •  Created by a team of Ford truck specialists in Thailand.

Seems like Ford still has money to invest into concepts. The company’s main attraction at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2008 this week is the new Ford Ranger Max concept, a concept that it says hints at design cues that may be seen in the future-generation Ranger.

As you can see from the photos the Ranger Max is all about confidence but keeps its compact Ranger look and feel. The Ford Ranger Max gets the new three-bar grille which is now a Ford hallmark design element, a dominating power-dome, and Ranger branding engraved in the top of the front grille.

The Ford Ranger Max concept was created by team of Ford truck specialists in Thailand who worked closely with Ford’s Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team. When will we see the new Ranger is still a mystery.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery. Don’t forget to use the full-screen mode option.

Ford Ranger Max: