Fleet Ride & Drive event features newest vehicles and technologies.
Ford’s Fleet Ride & Drive national tour made a stop in Toronto on Nov. 8, following the kickoff in Halifax (Oct. 25), with future stops planned for Montreal (Nov 15), Vancouver (Nov. 15). Edmonton (Nov. 22) and Calgary (Nov. 29).
The star of the show is the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger. “This is our global F-Series,” a product expert told the audience during the presentation. “In other parts of the world they don’t have the big roads we do here, so Ranger is the truck for them.”
Sold globally, the Ranger is coming back to Canada for the 2019 model year, with a few tweaks to make it more North American-friendly. It will be available in three trim levels (XL, XLT and Lariat), and in SuperCab and SuperCrew configuration, with two box lengths—6 or 5 ft.
Engineered to be tough, the Ranger boasts body-on-frame construction and a fully boxed frame with six crossmembers. It also gets frame-mounted steel front and rear bumpers, along with standard front tow hooks.
Under the hood, Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost is coupled to an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission, promising 1,860 lbs of payload capability, as well as 7,500 lbs of towing capacity. Ford says their 2.3L engine provides torque that’s on par with competing V6 engines, but with the efficiency of a four-cylinder.
The Ranger also gets quite a few technology perks, including an available 4.2 inch screen, a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices at up to 50 ft outside the vehicle, and FordPass Connect (standard on all models), which can be used to locate a parked vehicle, remotely access vehicles features (start, lock, unlock), and check fuel levels, and fuel consumption.
Automatic Emergency Braking is standard for the Ranger.
Transit Connect
The Transit Connect enters the 2019 model year with a number of updates and upgrades. Automatic Emergency Braking is standard, as is Side-Wind Stabilization, which applies the brakes on one side of the vehicle to help reduce the effect of a sudden gust of wind. A blind spot warning system with cross-traffic alert are available options.
Ford says the seats have been redesigned and are more comfortable and durable.
The Transit Connect gets a wireless charging pad for smart devices, as well as the same Wi-Fi and FordPass Connect features available on the Ranger.
Under the hood, the Transit Connect can be ordered with either a 2.5L or 2.0L gas engine, or a new 1.5L EcoBlue Diesel coupled to an 8-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission (with Normal, Eco & Eco Coach, Tow/Haul, and Sport modes).
F-150
Canada’s best-selling truck, the F-150 enters the 2019 model year with standard Automatic High Beams, and Pre-collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
SYNC 3 / FordPass Connect 4G Wi-Fi is standard on XLT trims and above, and available as an option on XL models.
The big news is that this perennially-favourite pick-up gets an all-news 3.0L Power Stroke V6 Turbo Diesel engine rated at 250 hp @ 3250 rpm, and 440 lb.-ft. of torque at 1750 rpm. It boasts a towing capacity of 11,400 lbs and a max. payload of 2020 lbs. Couped to a 10-speed automatic transmission, it promises a combined fuel economy of 10.7 L/100 km.
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