Ford has torture-tested its 2019 Ranger midsize pickup using grueling lab tests, robotic testing too harsh for humans to endure, and jagged trails in the Australian Outback to the Arizona desert. The testing is based on the same standards of the Ford F-150, according to the company.
“We torture every component — from its high-strength steel frame to its EcoBoost engine to its cloth and leather-trimmed seats — to ensure Ranger is ready for any season and nearly any terrain,” said Rick Bolt, Ford Ranger chief engineer.
Ford’s approach to ensuring Ranger quality and capability starts in the lab, progresses to the proving grounds then is confirmed through real-world challenges in locations near and far.
At Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds, a fully loaded Ranger hits the Silver Creek track with impacts so severe robotic drivers are used so humans don’t get injured. In the lab, a four-post shaker table checks Ranger for squeaks and rattles. Towing capability is tested in high temperatures and long steep grades of Davis Dam in Arizona, while the Australian Outback treats the truck to more heat and choking dust over harsh off-road terrain.
When it returns in early 2019, the Ranger will offer features such as a terrain management system, trail control, and blind spot monitoring with trailer support, the Ranger returns in early 2019.
Related: Ford's 2019 Ranger Midsize Pickup
