“Ford has used its own expertise and knowledge of the wants and needs of pickup customers and has worked closely with customers around the world to develop the next-generation Ranger into the ideal pickup — both for business and leisure use,” the car maker wrote in a press release.
The Ranger has always been a loyal pickup truck for small businesses, fleet customers, farmers, families and adventurers in more than 180 countries around the world. With the new Ford Ranger, customers not only get the vehicle they love, but they are connected at all times – which will help us develop a strong and lasting relationship with them. The new Ford Ranger will be the midsize truck customers will want to own and experience, says Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley.
More attractive capture for customers
The new Ranger will be available to order in Europe in late 2022 with customer deliveries in early 2023.
Today, the Ford Ranger is by far the best-selling pickup truck in Europe. From January to September of this year, a total of 45,539 Rangers were sold, with a market share of 39.9%. This is a new sales record.
The Ranger was also the best-selling pickup in Norway last year with a market share of 31% in Norway, and the good sales trend has continued so far this year. The new, smarter, more capable, easier-to-use Ranger will give customers more of the features and designs we know customers value, says the CEO. Ford Motor Norway Per Gunnar Berg in the press release.
Pickup agents have played a major role
The Ford Ranger next generation development project led by Ford’s development center in Australia. The international team of designers and engineers has partnered with teams around the world to make sure the new Ranger has the latest, best Ford technology, features and safety – all while adhering to very stringent Ford standards.
Our team had one goal, and that was to make sure the new Ford Ranger would drive the most powerful and capable Ranger ever. So it went through one of the toughest testing programs we’ve ever developed—all to make sure it falls into the “Tough Ford Builds” category, says Graham Pearson, Ranger Vehicle Program Manager.
Feedback from customers around the world also played a major role in the development of the new Ranger. Ford has interviewed more than 5,000 people around the world, and conducted a series of customer meetings, to understand how they use their pickup truck and what they want and expect from the new Ranger.
New look, new attributes
The next generation Ford Ranger has been given a bold, confident design that also has the Ford world-class design genes.
For the first time, the Ranger also offers LED headlights. Inside the cabin, luxurious soft material is used and a large, easy-to-use touchscreen is a prominent part of the interior. This is equipped with Ford’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment system.
Underneath the body is an upgraded chassis where the wheelbase is 50mm longer and 50mm wider than the current Ranger. The engine compartment has also been increased in size to accommodate new driveline technologies and the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine that the new Ranger comes with.
Better driving characteristics
The next generation Ford Ranger is also designed to have the same good driving characteristics if used as a regular work pickup or if pushed to the limits in endurance races like the Dakar Rally.
The front wheels have been moved 50mm for a better angle of attack and better driving characteristics in rough terrain. The rear dampers have also been moved to provide a better driving experience both on the road and on poor road surfaces.
Customers can also choose between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive systems – which are electronically changed as needed, or a new advanced four-wheel drive system that can be locked when customers need it.
Intelligent solutions in the driver’s environment
Inside the cabin, the new Ranger has a number of intelligent and connected solutions, a fully digital instrument panel, more storage space than ever before and more comfort.
At the heart of the car is a 10.1- or 12-inch touchscreen with Ford’s voice-activated SYNC 4 infotainment system. The new Ranger also comes with a FordPass Connect modem which, among other things, makes it possible to start the car remotely, lock it from the FordPass app on your mobile phone and see where it is parked.
Driving mode selection is integrated into the SYNC 4 display, which you can easily access with a single touch. From here you can, among other things, choose the driving mode you want, monitor the steering line, the steering angle and the angles of inclination and yaw of the car.
A special lighting system that lights up around the car
The screen also connects to a 360-degree camera which can come in handy if you are parking or driving in a bumpy area. Customers can also control the new Ranger lighting system, which lights around the vehicle, from the FordPass app or the in-vehicle touchscreen. With this light, you no longer have to stand and work in the dark. It can also be practical in regards to using the Ranger for recreational activities.
Ranger technology will also be upgradable and continually improved through future Wireless Power-Up updates.
There are also a number of storage rooms and practical and clever solutions in the passenger compartment. There’s storage where the mobile is wirelessly charged, there’s plenty of room in the center console, and more storage space in the doors and under the seats.
Integrated workbench and new loading system
Another example of how customer feedback has affected the design and functionality of the new Ranger is a practical step being integrated right behind the rear wheels. This is so that the customer does not have to get at the wheel when he wants to get something on the pallet.
The pallet has also become wider and now has room for a full-size pallet. It has also been equipped with a new surface that provides better protection from scratches. Several anchor hooks for securing cargo are also among the improvements.
The Ranger also comes with a new loading system that provides better opportunities to split the loading level into different areas. The tailgate is designed to also function as a workbench with clips to hold planks and other materials in place when they are deployed.
More bodyguard
Customers in Europe will also be able to make the new Ranger even more personal. Since launch, there will be more than 150 original accessory solutions – both for work and for entertainment. These also include several solutions developed in collaboration with ARB 4×4 Accessories.
The next generation Ford Ranger will be produced at Ford plants in Thailand and South Africa from 2022.
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