[1931Chevy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/ford-planning-f100-and-global-ranger-replacement/

We've already heard that Ford is developing a new, smaller pickup truck based on the F-150 that will be powered by four-cylinder and turbocharged V6 engines

continue at the link

 

[rumble bee]

GM really needs a V6 in the Colorado before it will be competitve in the small truck market. Hell, even the S10 had a 6. Seemed to work then so I dont know why they aborted that and went with a 4 banger and a straight 5

BTW, What made me reach this conclusion is the text saying that the new global ranger replacement will be powered by a I4 and a turbo V6.

 

[paul8488]

I already comment in the last thread about this that I thought it was a good idea... but now I think it's even more brilliant. Instead of watching full-size truck sales slide into the toilet, Ford is preparing to do something about it. For people that need a big truck they'll still get an F150, but for those that can get away with something a bit smaller and less powerful (and cheaper), there'll be the F100. Can live with even less space, capability, and power? They'll get a Ranger. They're encouraging people to stay in the Ford truck family instead of watching them drop off entirely.

If anything the next Ranger should be a hair smaller than today, to make room for the F100 and let the Ranger come in even more affordable and efficient than the current model.

Also, isn't Ford making the next Explorer unibody? I really think that Ford is thinking long-term with their trucks. They could leave GM and Dodge in the lurch.

 

[1931Chevy]

IMO with gas prices so high its a stupid idea to close the Ranger plant next year, what Ford should do is try to put the ecoboost 4 and the 3.5 on the ranger and keep it on the market until the new one is ready, because with Fsales going down and then dont having a small truck Ford sales will look damn bad next year

 

[ausrutherford]

I already comment in the last thread about this that I thought it was a good idea... but now I think it's even more brilliant. Instead of watching full-size truck sales slide into the toilet, Ford is preparing to do something about it. For people that need a big truck they'll still get an F150, but for those that can get away with something a bit smaller and less powerful (and cheaper), there'll be the F100. Can live with even less space, capability, and power? They'll get a Ranger. They're encouraging people to stay in the Ford truck family instead of watching them drop off entirely.

If anything the next Ranger should be a hair smaller than today, to make room for the F100 and let the Ranger come in even more affordable and efficient than the current model.

Also, isn't Ford making the next Explorer unibody? I really think that Ford is thinking long-term with their trucks. They could leave GM and Dodge in the lurch.

Yes the Explorer is moving to unibody, but the question still remains whether it will be rwd or fwd. Im hoping for rwd because it would differ it from the Flex and it would open the door for rwd Lincoln crossovers to be built in Louisville along with it.

 

[Slideways]

GM really needs a V6 in the Colorado before it will be competitve in the small truck market. Hell, even the S10 had a 6. Seemed to work then so I dont know why they aborted that and went with a 4 banger and a straight 5.

No offense to the 4.3L V-6, but it never made 240hp in an S10. The 3.7L is plenty competitive with the 4.0L V-6s from Toyota and Nissan. Of course I'd prefer the 4.2L I6 or for all of the Atlas engines to get direct injection, but we'll probably get a V-6 soon enough.

 

[rumble bee]

No offense to the 4.3L V-6, but it never made 240hp in an S10. The 3.7L is plenty competitive with the 4.0L V-6s from Toyota and Nissan. Of course I'd prefer the 4.2L I6 or for all of the Atlas engines to get direct injection, but we'll probably get a V-6 soon enough.

The 4.3L at the time did not, but as the truck got redesigned, so could the v6. I could see the Colorado with a big V6. If the 5 is competitive, the V6 would rule. Its time for GM to step up and put an engine in the colorado that dominates the class. They need the sales anywhere they can get them:yup:

 

[wescoent]

Yes the Explorer is moving to unibody, but the question still remains whether it will be rwd or fwd. Im hoping for rwd because it would differ it from the Flex and it would open the door for rwd Lincoln crossovers to be built in Louisville along with it.

Almost beyond a doubt, the Explorer will be FWD with optional AWD, based on the Flex's architecture. Strangely, this will make it lighter than the Edge, given how much they needed to beef up CD3 for the application.

As an interesting nugget of information from Ford, the F100 will feature the Expedition's IRS either as standard or optional equipment, as well as the 3.5L RWD Ecoboost engine... 425 horses of glory.

Seems I was right about the Lightning coming back.. just not in F-150 form.

 

[Stéphane Dumas]

No offense to the 4.3L V-6, but it never made 240hp in an S10. The 3.7L is plenty competitive with the 4.0L V-6s from Toyota and Nissan. Of course I'd prefer the 4.2L I6 or for all of the Atlas engines to get direct injection, but we'll probably get a V-6 soon enough.

Maybe there's a way to upgrade that V6 4.3L to a "Gen-II" or a new V6 derivated from the current Gen-V small-block. Then there the new V6 Cadillac but it'll have to be modified for pick-up truck-duty use for the Colorado and Silverado.

 

[RamJet502]

The new Fourwheeler magazine I just got said that GM is replacing the I5 in the Hummer H3 with the 3.6L V6 in the near future, hopefully they do the same with the Colorado/Canyon.

 

[CHASLS2]

GM really needs a V6 in the Colorado before it will be competitve in the small truck market. Hell, even the S10 had a 6. Seemed to work then so I dont know why they aborted that and went with a 4 banger and a straight 5

BTW, What made me reach this conclusion is the text saying that the new global ranger replacement will be powered by a I4 and a turbo V6.

Guess your a little late on the news, the Colorado is coming out with a V8 for the 09. But not for the regcab.