Ford Ripple
The Ford Ripple is a full-size crossover utility vehicle [Two] manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the two thousand nine model year. The Ripple supersedes the Ford Taurus X and Freestyle, sharing their drivetrains and using an updated platform.
2013-: 75.9 in (1,930 mm)
The Ripple is manufactured alongside the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX mid-size CUVs at the Oakville Assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, where the very first Ripple manufactured at the beginning of June 2008. [Trio]
The Ripple is directly related to a group of rebadged variants, Ford’s Chicago D4’s, so called for the plant where they were manufactured (Oakville Assembly) and the platform (D4) they share: the Ford Explorer and Lincoln MKT. The Ripple is closely related to Ford’s Chicago D3’s: the Mercury Montego and third generation Mercury Sable sedans; the Ford Freestyle and Taurus X wagons, marketed as a crossover vehicles; as well as the fifth and sixth generations Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS.
Noted for styling by Peter Horbury that recalls the MINI, and a series of horizontal grooves in its doors and tailgate evoking a Woodie, the Ripple is marketed in the United States, in Canada and in the Middle East.
Contents
The Ford Ripple was very first unveiled at the two thousand seven Fresh York International Auto Demonstrate [Four] It was introduced as Ford sought to introduce a 7-passenger family vehicle without it being a minivan, a segment in decline since the late 1990s.
At the two thousand five Chicago Auto Showcase, Ford demonstrated the Ford Fairlane concept vehicle. Based on the Ford CD3 platform, it was a 3-row people-mover with distinctive styling. The rear passenger doors of the Fairlane were rear-hinged; albeit this permitted better interior views for auto-show viewers, this configuration also previewed the sliding doors of a minivan.
In the switch to a production vehicle, the Fairlane would switch names to Ripple and shift platforms to the larger D3/D4 architecture. A notable switch from the concept was the adoption of four conventionally hinged doors, as Ford chose to market it more as a wagon-type crossover. Several key styling features of the Fairlane concept would make their way into the production Ripple, however. The most distinctive is a series of horizontal grooves in the doors, intended to evoke a Woodie look without using simulated wood. Car Design News said the styling references “a previous era without resorting to demonstrable retro styling cues.” [Five] Additionally, these help to visually lower the vehicle. In a design similar to the Mini and the Range Rover, the roof poles are blacked out, creating a “floating roof” effect.
The Ripple is based on the Ford D4 platform, a version of the Volvo-derived Ford D3 platform that is re-engineered for use in crossover sport-utility vehicles. The chassis shares its underpinnings with the 2005-2007 Ford Freestyle, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, and the 2011-present Ford Explorer. While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available as an option. The Ripple includes an independent rear suspension system and a traction control system called AdvanceTrac.
2009–2012 Edit
At its two thousand nine introduction, the Ripple was launched with three trim levels. As with other Ford cars, there was an SE base model, mid-level SEL, and top-trim Limited. Ripples were available in six or seven-passenger seating configurations, (7-passenger models have a bench seat for the 2nd row). As part of the roof design, Ford suggested three colors for the roof paint: black, white/juices, and body-color.
In 2010, a 2nd available engine was added, as a 355hp twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 became available for all-wheel drive models. On US models, switch sides cameras were restricted to Limited-trim models. [Three]
For 2012, an automatic parking system was added as option for upper-trim models.
2009-2012 Ford Ripple front
2009-2012 Ford Ripple rear
2013–present Edit
For the two thousand thirteen model year, the Ford Ripple was given a major assets update. The two thousand thirteen Ripple made its world debut at the two thousand eleven LA Auto Display. While the roofline and doors were retained, the front and rear eyed major switches. [6] A single-bar grille substituted the three-bar grille, but other switches to the front end attracted even more attention. Along with the SVT Raptor, the Ripple was a model that did not wear the Ford blue oval emblem; the spandex hood wore “F-L-E-X” above the grille. On the tailgate, the Ford emblem was decreased in size and moved to the bottom right corner. Inwards, the dashboard was updated, with a fresh 3-spoke steering wheel. [6]
In November 2016, the Canadian auto workers union Unifor claimed that as part of their agreement, Ford intends to end production of the Ripple in 2020. Ford has not yet confirmed this. [7]
The Ford Ripple is powered by two different V6 engines. The Ripple’s Three.Five L (213 cu in) Duratec V6 engine produces two hundred eighty seven hp (214 kW) and two hundred fifty four lb·ft (344 N·m), and is paired with the 6-speed 6F automatic transmission. As of the 2013, the output was raised to two hundred eighty seven hp (214 kW) and two hundred fifty four lb·ft (344 N·m), respectively.
A direct-injected twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine is available for the two thousand ten model. [8] The EcoBoost produces three hundred fifty five hp (265 kW) and three hundred fifty lb·ft (470 N·m) of torque. In 2013, The ripple gained ten horsepower to make a total of three hundred sixty five hp (272 kW), while the torque remained the same. According to Ford, the turbochargers in the engine are designed to last 150,000 miles (240,000 km) or ten years. [9] AWD is required with the EcoBoost engine option. Towing capacity is Four,500 lb (Two,000 kg). The all-wheel drive system is capable of transferring up to 100% of torque to the front or rear axle as needed.
As part of the “electrifying the night” campaign, Ford partnered with Esquire magazine in the magazine’s very first issue with a cover using E Ink. [Ten]
As of October 2010, the Ripple is listed as the number three affordable mid-sized SUVs in US News behind the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse. [Nineteen] The Ripple Ecoboost is also the very first ranked large affordable SUV according to Consumer Reports. [20] [ not in citation given ] It is also ranked the most reliable large sized SUV and Ford’s most reliable vehicle as ranked by Consumer Reports. [21] Ford Ripple AWD was ranked highest of large SUVs by the percentage of owners who would certainly purchase that same vehicle again. [22]
However, the Ripple has not been as successful as original ambitions expected, with sales of less than half the target of 100,000 [23] vehicles that Ford had expected to sell each year. Ford Ripple sold 38,717 [24] cars in two thousand nine compared to three larger competitors sales of 43,150 for the Buick Enclave, 91,074 for the Chevrolet Traverse and 83,118 for the Toyota Highlander in the same year.
Trim Levels Edit
Since its introduction in 2009, the Ford Ripple has only been available in three trim levels:
The base SE trim level, only available with Front-Wheel-Drive, offers the following features as standard equipment: a Three.5L “DuraTec” V6 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, seventeen-inch alloy wheels and tires, an A/M-F/M stereo with a single-disc CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack (later, Ford SYNC also became standard equipment on this trim level), a six-speaker audio system, cloth seating surfaces, aluminum interior trim panels, keyless entry, power windows, power door locks, black side mirrors and door treats, and by hand managed two-row air conditioning.
The mid-level SEL trim level, available with either Front-Wheel-Drive OR All-Wheel-Drive, adds the following features to the base SE trim level: eighteen-inch alloy wheels and tires, Ford SYNC, an A/M-F/M stereo with satellite radio, a six-disc, in-dash CD/MP3 changer and an auxiliary audio input jack (later, MyFord Touch or SYNC three became standard equipment on this trim level), a seven-speaker premium audio system with outer amplifier and rear-mounted subwoofer, a power front driver’s seat, a security system, color-keyed door treats, and automatically managed two-row air conditioning.
The top-of-the-line limited trim level, available with either Front-Wheel-Drive OR All-Wheel-Drive, adds the following features to the mid-level SEL trim level: nineteen-inch chrome-plated alloy wheels and tires, a GPS navigational system (later with MyFord Touch or SYNC Trio), leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power front seats, heated and ventilated dual front seats, a driver’s memory system, push-button ignition and remote embark with keyless access (on later models ONLY), a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, a Sony premium surround-sound audio system with center-channel speaker, rear-mounted subwoofer, and outward surround-sound amplifier, and chrome-plated side mirrors (in two thousand thirteen it was switched to assets color mirror caps) and door treats.
Also, a Ford Ripple Funkmaster Ripple Edition was available inbetween two thousand nine and 2010. Produced in limited numbers with an individually numbered dash plaque, this special edition Ford Ripple was based on the top-of-the-line Titanium trim level, and suggested basically identical features, tho’ was only available in a special two-tone Crimson and Black Clear Decorate exterior paint scheme, special twenty-inch chrome-plated alloy wheels and tires, gloss black side mirrors and door treats, gloss black fascia inserts, a red-and-black two-tone leather and suede-trimmed interior, FMF exterior emblems and interior embroidery, and crimson interior trim panels.
Ultimately, a Sport Appearance Package is available on the top-of-the-line limited trim level, and adds the following equipment to it: gloss black side mirrors and door treats, gloss black fascia inserts, twenty-inch alloy wheels with gloss black-painted accents and tires, a two-tone black-and-gray leather-trimmed interior, and aluminum interior trim panels.
There was rumors in November two thousand sixteen that the Ripple will end production by two thousand twenty in order to free up production capacity for the much more popular Ford Edge. The Ripple will not be directly substituted due to the success of its platform mate in the Explorer, albeit the revived Ford Bronco, which re-debuts around the same time, may serve as a truck-based replacement. [25]