Forget the endless spy shots, Ford has now revealed the final design for the next-generation Ranger pickup truck in an online unveiling from Australia.
“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” said Jim Farley, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. “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.”
Next Generation Ranger: Design
The new Ranger follows the design lead of its F-150 bigger brother. The US market pickup passes on the brand DNA, with the Ranger gaining signature C-clamp headlights and a defined grille. A subtle shoulder line runs the length of the pickup and incorporates bolder wheel arches to give the Ranger a more planted stance. At the rear, the taillights follow a design mirroring the front of the truck.
A complete redesign of the interior means the new Ranger has a distinctive and modern cabin. Clad in soft-touch materials, the talking point is the large infotainment touchscreen in the centre, mounted in a portrait style, allowing access to the latest Sync 4 software from Ford.
“Customers told us the Ranger needs to look tough and needs to inspire confidence,” said Max Tran, chief designer for Ranger. “They were very clear in what Ranger should be, both in the way it looks, and the way it makes them feel.”
Next Generation Ranger: Chassis
A development of the existing Ranger, the next-generation model sits on an upgraded chassis riding on a wheelbase 50mm longer and with a track 50mm wider.
A hydro‑formed front‑end structure creates more space in the engine bay and helps future-proof the Ranger for other propulsion technologies, including a forthcoming plug-in hybrid model. It also opens up the front of the pick-up to allow more airflow to the radiator, which helps keep running temperatures low when towing or carrying heavy loads.
Engineers moved the front wheels forward by 50mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off-road articulation, both of which improve the off‑roading experience. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride both on- and off‑road.
Next Generation Ranger: Powertrains
Excitingly, there’s a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine available from launch – but it won’t make it to the UK. Instead, we’ll be receiving a choice of proven single-turbo and bi-turbo 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder diesels.
The single-turbo comes in two different performance levels and balances power, torque and fuel economy, which is important to small business owners or commercial vehicle fleets. The bi-turbo engine is a more sophisticated, performance variant for customers who want more power but need to maintain fuel economy.
Next Generation Ranger: Interior
“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 said.
A large screen dominates the cabin, with models receiving either a 10.1 or 12.0-inch screen, depending on specification. That sits alongside a fully digital instrument panel for the driver, giving the Ranger a modern aesthetic with plenty of functionality.
Ford’s latest Sync 4 system is fitted, which comes ready with voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems. Additionally, there’s an embedded factory-fitted FordPass Connect modem, allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass app on your smartphone.
Off-road driving is made easier with the large screen, as the driver can now monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls in real-time. The screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain.
In addition, customers can control Ranger’s new exterior zone lighting system via the touchscreen or the FordPass app, which means they don’t have to work, camp or do anything in the dark.
The design team also created clever storage and useful features for owners. There are not only places to store your phone or charge it wirelessly (where compatible), but there’s a large centre console bin to stash things. In addition, the door pockets are designed to carry more, the wide dash conceals an upper glove box and there are storage bins under and behind the rear seats.
Next Generation Ranger: Cargo Area
There’s not much you can do with a load box, but Ford has still found time to make some improvements. An integrated side-step behind the rear tyres creates a more stable way for users to access the load area, rather than climbing on the tyres or pulling themselves over the tailgate.
Additional touches include a plastic-moulded bedliner that helps protect the truck bed from scratches and owners’ knees from kneeling on a steel truck bed. Extra cargo tie-down points provide convenient points to secure loads. Durable, flexible load box caps around the sides of the box and across the tailgate conceal structural attachment points for canopies and other aftermarket accessories.
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, using a system of ultra-strong spring-loaded cleats that clip into rails bolted to each side of the cargo box. The tailgate can also double as a mobile workbench with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets to measure, grip and cut building materials.
Zone lighting provides 360‑degree lighting around the truck to help give customers better visibility around the vehicle. Load box lighting is provided under the left- and right-hand rails and provides plenty of light for finishing up jobs in low light or finding things in the cargo box at night.
Next Generation Ranger: Pricing and Availability
Production of the new Ranger will begin at Ford’s plants in Thailand and South Africa beginning in 2022. Order books will open in Europe in late 2022 for customer delivery in early 2023.
European customers will be able to personalise their next-gen Ranger from launch with a range of over 150 fully factory‑backed work, urban and adventure accessories. These accessories include those developed in collaboration with global off-road icon, ARB 4×4 Accessories
.
“We’ve really packed a lot into the next‑generation Ranger to inspire owners to do more of what they love to do, with features that encourage them to explore new horizons,” said Gary Boes, enterprise product line management director, Global Trucks. “We’re truck owners too, and this passion for the Ranger lifestyle translates into a passion for the product. Ultimately, we want our customers’ experience with the pick-up to enable and enhance their lifestyles.”
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