The new lineup of Pickup Trucks in 2011....

[lighthammer]

I just read an article that says the European-spec 2010 Navara (which is similar to what we get here) comes with a newly-tuned engine. Nissan uses a redesigned Variable Geometry Turbocharger, that increases the power output from 403NM of torque, up to 450NM of torque. Hence the 2010 Navara will have much more pulling power than the older one, in fact it'll have the MOST pulling power out of all the pickups by far. The previous 2.5L powerplant now has improved injection dynamics and better emission control. Along with the mechanical improvements, the 2011 Navara gets a slight facelift with revised grill and bumper, and better in-cabin seating & armrest support.

Check out the article here

In comparison, the 2010-2011 models of the L200 Triton and Hilux have newly designed turbo-chargers and retuned engines (the L200 has a new 2.5L Common Raill turbodiesel, they eliminated the old 3.2L CRDi).



The new L200 Triton gets a facelift with a more square front and redisgned turn-signal corners, an elongated & beefed-up tray (no more ridiculous sloping lines in the tail-end; the new tray is thicker and longer than previous) and more comfortable seats. It already had the most rear-legroom and car-like drive out of the three big-trucks (hilux/l200/navara), while the new tray is only 2.5cm shorter than the Navara's (the previous tray was much shorter). The older, noiser and less-responsive 3.2L D1D motor has been replaced with a high-output 2.5L 2nd Gen. Common Rail turbodiesel with a variable geometry Turbocharger (click here to see how a Variable Geometry Turbocharger works). This new design of induction fan has a series of vanes that open at different speeds, hence achieving a more uniform boost-input over the RPM range. Note though, the Automatic transmission is held over from the older model L200; which somehow isn't able to efficiently handle all the power from the new engine. Hence Mitubishi has removed some of the torque in the 2.5L Automatic transmission models, down from 400NM to 350NM.

(Interestingly enough, the new Navara has a similar-concept new turbocharger, called a "Variable Nozzle Turbocharger - VNT" that delivers more torque and better emission control.)
The big mitsubishi also gets 4wd Stability control from it's Pajero brother, found in the Automatic 4x4 version. Mitsubishi's legendary rally heritage is strong in the new L200. The top-range GLS Auto version even gets an optional shift-on-the-fly AWD hybrid system mated with the 4WD system, giving even better traction on wet surfaces or where AWD would be beneficial.

Very exciting.



Toyota's 2010-2011 Hilux gets an upgraded common-rail 2.5L D-4D turbodiesel with newly designed injectors and new turbocharger that outputs about 345NM of torque and 142-hp. The 3.0L D-4D engine remains the same (output is 360NM of torque, 171-horsepower). Other upgrades are mostly cosmetic - the new grill and bumper up front plus some minor interior design changes.



No word yet from Ford/Mazda if their 2011 T6 Ranger will carry a new engine - at least in the UK/Euro versions. Ford is looking to globalize their Ranger lineup, much like they did with the Ford Fiesta - hence the US and UK Rangers will become uniformly the same. The US ranger base-model may be getting a 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine, while the 2011 UK/Euro Ranger will most likely retain the 3.0L TDCi Bosch Common-Rail Diesel that's present in the current line-up of XLT & Wildtrak models.

Here's the Australian spy photos of the 2011 T6 Ranger

**Edit**
According to forum-member, Mr. Go Slow:

"Pictured on this production prototype is Ford’s 3.2 litre Puma turbocharged diesel engine. It will replace the current 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. The 3.2 litre Puma engine produces 150kW and an impressive 470Nm of torque. It can currently be found in the Ford Transit."

"Transmissions expected to make it to launch are the MT75 (five-speed manual gearbox), MT82 (six-speed manual gearbox produced by Getrag) and the 6R80 (six-speed fuel efficient automatic gearbox)."

So it looks like the new 2011 Ranger is going to get a MASSIVELY powerful new engine.
Here's the link with the spy-info on the top-secret new model Ranger

All we can do is hope that these upgrades will trickle down to Trinidad's shores. Who knows if the local dealers will be able to feed us diesel-heads the power of the new pickups?

Only time will tell. I personally can't wait for the new Ranger.

[civic minded]

wow - so this new ranger powerplant will blow the rest of the pickup trucks out the water - you can imagine the power this will have? they will need a improved suspension and a permanent AWD might be a plus. - didn't like that Ranger is following Hilux and the rest to be more "car-like" instead of staying rugged and tough. I know for sure, there will be a mad rush to get the new ones.

[Cooper]

The new Power Plant on the Ranger sounds good & I'm seeing coil springs on the front suspension. Looks like they are really aiming for it to be more of a 'car-like' ride as Civic Minded said. One thing for sure if it is eventually sold down here, you can be certain that a full loaded model price tag will be way north of 230K.

[lighthammer]

Yeah looks like Ford wants to get all the new rangers across the world (US & UK) to be one globalized model.
And they're aiming right at the heart of Toyota's Hilux, giving it front coil-springs, a larger cabin and a much more powerful engine. Since the Ranger is fast becoming so popular, it may very well take a huge section of the light-truck market away from the Hilux.


Cooper - Not so sure about the pricing yet - but look at how Ford has been aggressively pricing their pickups, to undercut Toyota's own prices along with providing equivalent or better features. Remember a basic 4x4 Ranger XLT with 2.5TDCI, cloth seats and fully powered options and foglights starts at $189K locally, while the equivalent 4x4 manual Hilux with 3.0 D-4D, cloth, fully powered and no foglights starts at $220K. The consumers can't ignore that kind of aggressive pricing, even though the Hilux holds its resale value better than the Ranger.

The reason why there's so many hiluxes in Trinidad is that we know the Hilux has a legendary reputation, and that big name alone is enough to make people buy a Hilux. Toyota would hold the majority of the market share in Trinidad because they built their foundation from early on. But if you look carefully at what Ford is doing, they're doing something very similar - building a strong name for the Ranger. I would dare say that the Ranger now, is starting to enjoy the popularity that the Hilux had back in the early - mid 90's. With the current pricing, I'm sure the new-model base XLT would still come in at the same $189K price, while the top of the line Thunder model would be priced at around $240-$265, like the current model.



But don't forget to look at the L200 Triton. A new, more powerful engine, improved interior, improved tray-bed and outside cosmetics, and even an optional Super-Select AWD system that mimics the rally-born system in the Pajero/Evolution. I personally don't fancy the exterior styling, but the improvements Mitsubishi made to the L200 means it's now a properly viable contender against its main rivals, the Navara & Hilux. It's just as powerful, has more legroom, and can be equipped with better driving dynamics than the Navara, and it's still a bit cheaper than the Hilux.

[civic minded]

yes !!! everyone go out and buy a L200!!

[lighthammer]

^^^ hahaha!

You really wanna hog the Ranger market for yourself, eh?

Just make sure there's room for the Wildtrak that's soon to come plz.

[civic minded]

so you waitin or you still pressin ahead and leave your birthright nissan?

[lighthammer]

Hmmm... wanna wait to see what the new Ranger looks like - the Wildtrak will still be there for a while anyway. The price might even fall a little when the new ranger comes out.

[civic minded]

cool - thats a good decision - prices will surely fall when the new one comes out

[lighthammer]

Yeah well, I just wish they'd come out a bit sooner, so I can decide whether to get the new model with the awesome new engine, or just spring for the Wildtrak and pimp it out a bit.

But we'll all just have to wait..... *sigh*

[civic minded]

they will come out closer to October - thats the same time the 2010 model came out last year

[*Phoenix*]

Hilux not changing...
What are the changes on the 2011 Ranger

[lighthammer]

The new Hilux doesn't get much of a change, except for the 2.5L engine - it gets a new turbocharger that give more output and allows it to compete against the Volkswagen Amorak.


The new Ranger looks like it'll get a few upgrades:

New front-suspension:



Front coil-springs, instead of a torsion bar. This means it should have a softer, more refined ride like the Hilux & Navara:



Wider body, putting it in the "big-compact" segment like the Navara/Hilux/L200 Sportero





And a bigger engine, even bigger than the current 3.0 TDCi. The test-model shows the 3.2L TDCi that's found in the Ford Transit in EUROPE and the UK:





Old 3.0tDCI - 155HP, 380NM/280lb-ft of Torque

New 3.2 TDCi - 205HP, 470NM/347lb-ft of Torque.

That's more horsepower and more torque than the 2011 Navara with its newly designed VNT turbocharger.



Like I said before...
Ranger FTMFW.

[sweeks]

All these high performance engine with our piss quality diesel doesn't do the engines any not good ... *sigh*

[lighthammer]

But... but... Unipet have two... Count 'em two filters in they pump...

I heard it myself!

:p :p

[civic minded]

lol - i am yet to try their diesel - they dont have any service stations in chaguanas have they>>??

[civic minded]

I am sure that the starting price for the 3.2L will be at 260K or 280K

[catalan24]

does anyone know if or when we gettin the high performance 2.5 engine L200 cuz i know there is a new one out but the tray still short so jus wonderiing???

[civic minded]

well - give diamond a call and see what they say

[sweeks]

But... but... Unipet have two... Count 'em two filters in they pump...

I heard it myself!

:p :p

Hammer I wan't referring to the filtration of the diesel but more so to the cetane level... 54 and above. I could be wrong but our cetane level level might be 52 and lower.

And yes Unipet did take a step in the right direction ...

[venum]

new 3.2L Triton sounds like a good buy for Mitsu whores

good post hammer

[speedaholic]

^^ such as yourself??

[lighthammer]

Yeah Mitsubishi retired the 3.2L engine, and have a nicely tuned 2.5L engine with a higher output, plus that new Variable-Geometry turbocharger will increase the lower-end pulling power that the older ML-series L200 lacked. Plus it's quieter and smoother than the old 3.2 D1D.
If it wasn't for the swooping-lines and space-shuttle looks, I'd seriously consider the L200 as the next purchase.
Will have to call Diamond Motors to see if they'll be bringing it soon, if not already.


Ford & Mazda already use a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (the same ones that the McEarney reps told me don't need a turbo timer cuz of the dual-cooling system) which is how their trucks can get such good low-rpm grunt. VGT's help solve the problem of turbo's needing to spool up at lower RPM's, at least to some extent. Seems like everyone else is following their lead and installing VGT's or VNT's in their line of trucks, while conversely Ford is making their Ranger a bit softer and more pleasing to drive (i.e. more "big-car like").

[civic minded]

This is a bad idea - ford is doing - when people want a true pickup - what are the options left? Isuzu?

[lighthammer]

WINGLE..... ftl.

[Rutless Tiida]

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is the new king of offroad trucks.


It comes with LT315/70R17 BSW A/T from the factory

[civic minded]

they won't bring that down here tho - so what really are the options left? for a true pickup - you will need to buy used.

[lighthammer]

they won't bring that down here tho - so what really are the options left? for a true pickup - you will need to buy used.

Maybe the 2011 BT-50 might keep the Torsion bar in the front....

One can only hope.

[civic minded]

We have to wait and see

[foss]

all these newer pickups coming more like cars and less like trucks!

FAIL