Report: New Ford Ranger to spawn SUV variant

[Todd Cloutier]

From Autoblog:

According to Ward's Auto, the new Ranger, internally known as project T6, was designed from the get-go to support a seven- or eight-passenger sport utility vehicle. The Ranger's growth spurt is the primary reason we are not gaining the new pickup truck in our market. The long-wheelbase dual-cab Ranger is nearly five inches longer than a single-cab Ford F-150. The two trucks are now too close in size, says Ford, and the departing version is on the outs because its ancient underpinnings are having increasing amounts of trouble meeting regulations, among other things.

 

[Shaun Tucker]

Oh reh-he-he-heaaaally now..



so basically the T6 is going to be the "bizzaro Sport Trac" - Starting from a pick-up and becoming an SUV, where as the ST started as an SUV and became a pickup.



I wonder if that means that the SUV variant will be coming to North American shores, since it no longer competes with the F150's market.



I got a little more information on why they are not bringing it here when the article stated that:

The two trucks are now too close in size, says Ford, and the departing version is on the outs because its ancient underpinnings are having increasing amounts of trouble meeting regulations, among other things.

 

[TrainTrac]

meh. It's still not coming to the US.:banghead:

 

[ray moyer]

really sucks that they are discontinuing the trac, and then a ranger that could fill the void isnt even going to be available here...



man... faaaaantastic! :banghead:

 

[Ed C]

I think that Ford's intention is to fill the gap with the 6 cylinder F-150. That wouldn't work for me. I like the size of the Trac, I don't need a big truck. I just want truck capabilities for the occasional trip to Lowes. I see a Tacoma or something else in my future...