Ford unwrapped its all-new, next-generation Ranger in November, and there is plenty to like about the company’s pick-up ute.

Due in Australia in 2022, the design of the new Ranger was led by Ford’s Product Development Centre in Australia, so it should meet the needs of the local market. And that’s important, as the Ranger has been an excellent seller for Ford – it has consistently been near the top of the monthly sales list in Australia and has topped that chart regularly.

The new Ranger gets a rugged new look that incorporates design cues from Ford’s global truck design DNA. This includes the signature C-lamp headlight treatment. There’s also a new grille, bolder wheel-arches, new LED headlights, and beneath the new bodywork is an upgraded chassis riding on a wheelbase 50mm longer and track 50mm wider than the new Ranger’s predecessor.

Ford says its engineers moved the front wheels forward and out to deliver a better approach angle and better off-road articulation. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give a better ride on- and off-road.

The revealed models are the XL, XLS, XLT, Sport, and Wildtrak – and there will be a range of engine options – a 3-litre turbodiesel V6, as well as single-turbo and Bi-Turbo 2-litre, inline four-cylinder diesels. Transmission choices include an updated 10-speed auto and the current six-speed automatic.

Customers will have a choice of two four-wheel drive systems, an electronic shift-on-the-fly system, or full-time 4×4 system.

On the inside, the Ranger sports large 10.1-inch or 12-inch touchscreen in the centre stack as well as a fully digital instrument panel. Loaded up is the latest SYNC4 system with voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems.

Many of the traditional driving mode controls have their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen. Drivers can go to the screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.

The screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera to make it easier for parking or negotiating particularly tricky terrain. In addition, customers can control Ranger’s new exterior zone lighting system via the touchscreen or the FordPass app.

There’s also an embedded factory-fitted modem – a feature that Ford says will allow the Ranger to accept software updates – and the mobile device-based FordPass app includes features such as Remote Start, Vehicle Status Check and Remote Lock and Unlock functions.

The app, and the in-cabin SYNC screen, can also be used to control zone lighting – a 360-degree option around the truck to help give customers better visibility around the vehicle. Load box lighting is also provided under the left- and right-hand rails.

Up front, there are dual recovery hooks in the front bumper. At the back, there’s a new, plastic-moulded bedliner; extra cargo tie-down points.

The new Ranger also offers a new cargo management system designed with dividers to hold various sized items – like timber or toolboxes. Owners also can create smaller compartments to store objects, which would otherwise have to go in the cab.

Ford says customers will be able to personalise their Ranger with a range of almost 600 fully factory-backed work, urban and adventure accessories, depending on the market.

These accessories include those developed in collaboration with ARB 4×4 Accessories and will be fully backed by Ford’s New Vehicle Warranty of up to five years / unlimited kilometres.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (December 2021/January 2022) 

22 December 2021