Ford has just lifted the covers off the much-awaited, highly-anticipated next-gen Ford Ranger. The American automotive company calls the latest iteration of its light pickup truck the “smartest, most versatile, and most capable Ranger.”
“This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver — not just a product our customers will love, but an always-on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the midsize truck people will want to own and experience,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley.
Ford says that they worked with customers and used their inputs to help develop the new Ford Ranger’s new rugged look.
Ford Ranger Chief Designer Max Tran said, “customers told us the Ranger needs to look tough and needs to inspire confidence. They were very clear in what Ranger should be, both in the way it looks and the way it makes them feel.”
At the front end is a defined new grille flanked by signature C-clamp headlamps. The side profile of the refreshed Ranger features bolder wheel-arches while the rear echoes the pickup truck’s front design.
Inside, the new Ranger features a modern cockpit that caters to both work and family duties.
“We know our customers are looking for a smart and functional interior space that feels comfortable. So, we set about designing it with a high level of well-integrated technology, clever functional storage, and visual cues so the environment feels comfortable and spacious,” Tran added.
Aside from its car-like cabin — with premium soft-touch materials — the next-gen pickup truck features a large 10.1-inch (or 12-inch) touchscreen in the center stack. The touchscreen infotainment system complements the fully digital instrument panel and is equipped with Ford’s latest Sync4 system.
Sync4 allows drivers to use voice-activated communications, entertainment, and information systems. Additionally, the new Ranger will come with an embedded factory-fitted modem allowing on-the-go connectivity when linked with the FordPass App. FordPass enhances the ownership experience with features like remote start, vehicle status check, and remote lock and unlock functions via the owner’s mobile device.
“You’ll find the interior plush but with the dual purpose of work and play in mind,” Tran explained.
Ford’s customers also influenced the powertrain options available in the new Ranger lineup. Customers wanted a choice of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off-roading, so the team added Ford’s proven 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel and developed it for the Ranger.
“The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 delivers. When you drive a Ranger with the V6 turbodiesel, it feels like a much bigger truck. And it feels really tough in the sense that it’s got endless power and torque, which is exactly what our customers wanted,” commented Ford Ranger Program Manager Pritika Maharaj.
The next-gen Ranger can also be had with either a choice of proven Single-Turbo or the Bi-Turbo 2.0 inline, four-cylinder diesel mill and the tried and tested 2.3-liter EcoBoost powerplant.
New transmission choices include an updated 10-speed auto or six-speed manual, complementing the existing six-speed automatic.
“We know our customers push their Rangers to the extreme, so that’s how we test them. We go the extra mile to make sure Ranger will do everything our customers want, over and over again,” Maharaj added.
In addition to revealing the next-gen Ranger’s features, Ford also outlined its “always-on” commitment to its customers. This initiative includes a host of services centered around convenience on their terms.
Depending on the market, these include service pickup and delivery, a Ranger Concierge program, and streamlined online service booking options, to name a few.
The next-generation Ranger will be built at Ford’s plants in Thailand, where it was recently spotted as it was put through its paces, and South Africa in 2022. Other markets are to be announced at a later date with specific launch details to be announced in due course.
Photos from Ford
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