This midsize truck comes with a longer wheelbase and SYNC4 which has a large portrait screen.
Finally, there is a new Ranger. Ford finally replaces the T6-generation midsize pickup after more than 11 years. The new truck features an evolutionary design that incorporates a Maverick-esque front fascia and C-shaped LED headlights. It conceals a lot of important changes beneath its familiar skin.
To increase legroom for three passengers in the back, the wheelbase was extended by 50 millimeters (nearly 2 inches). The front wheels were moved forward the same amount. This will allow the Ranger to be more agile off the beaten track. Engineers also created a new hydroformed structure at the front to make room for a larger V6 turbodiesel.
Anthony Hall, Ranger vehicle engineering manager, stated that the track has been extended by 50mm (two inches) at the back to provide a larger load area. This is large enough to hold a sheet of plywood or full-size pallet. To make it easier to access the bed, you will notice side steps built in behind the rear wheels.
Ford claims that the sturdy, plastic-molded bedliner in the loading area will last a lifetime due to its tough construction. The 2022 Ranger has additional cargo tie down points that are mounted on steel tube rails. This makes it more practical. The middle child, much like the larger Maverick and the bigger , is packed with useful features. It has 360-degree lighting as well as a tailgate that doubles up as a mobile workbench and includes a built in ruler.
The cabin has been totally transformed, so forget about the Ranger’s interior. The SYNC4 infotainment systems are front and center. They have a 10.1-inch or 12-inch touchscreen, as seen on the Edge. While the Expedition and Mach-E have a larger display of 15.5 inches, they both have a 15.5-inch display. To keep up with modern times, the new pickup gets a fully-digital instrument cluster.
The previous generation’s bulky gear lever is gone. It has been replaced with a sleeker controller that features a more modern design. As you would expect, the vehicle will feature a new drive mode selector as well as an electric handbrake. Ford claims that the driver and passengers will feel more at home in the vehicle than they do in a utility vehicle, thanks to soft-touch materials. The rear suspension dampers were moved to the side of the frame rails for a smoother ride.
The truck’s new look features matrix LED headlights as well as a 360-degree camera. The new Ranger is compatible with Ford Power-Up over-the-air updates and allows owners to remotely control all-around lighting using a smartphone app. Customers can choose from either an electronic shift on the fly or a full-time 4×4 system.
The old 2.5-liter inline-five diesel engine is being replaced with the new V6 turbodiesel of 3.0 liter displacement. Although output numbers are not available, Ranger program manager Pritika Mahraj claims it feels larger when equipped with the bigger engine. The full-size F150 has a Power Stroke that produces 250 horsepower and 440 pounds-feet (597 Newton meters) of torque. Ford claims it has modified the oil-burner for this application so that the numbers may change.
A pair of 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesels will be available with single- or twin-turbo configurations. Both the former will be available in two tunings, while the latter may be related to the Ranger Raptor twin-turbo diesel with 210 hp (500 Nm) and 369 lbft (369 lb-ft). Ford will also sell the overhauled pickup equipped with the EcoBoost gasoline engine.
The availability of powertrains will vary depending on where they are sold. Based on the engine under the hood, the transmission will either be a 6-speed manual or an automatic with the same number, plus the most recent 10-speed auto.
The official images show the XLT alongside Sport and Wildtrak, which are the trim levels. Only the first is available in the USA, while the others are only available outside the US. The orange-painted Wildtrak, according to Logic, would be a great choice here since SUVs and trucks that are outdoorsy are very popular these days. Above is a family portrait that shows a beautiful base version in white with steelies, unpainted mirror caps and halogen headlights.
Ford will begin assembling the 2022 Ranger in Thailand and South Africa from next year. The body styles available are Extended Cab and Super Cab. Europeans will not be able order one until the end of 2022, and the first deliveries to customers on the Old Continent are scheduled for the beginning 2023. We reached out to the company for information about the launch of the truck in the United States. A spokesperson told us that details regarding availability in North America will be revealed at a later time.
The next-generation Ranger will serve as the foundation of the new Amarok. This will be revealed next year. To differentiate itself from the Ranger, the German marque promises that it will feature a “clear design signature VW” and “inimitable accents design-wise and trim”. Ford will build the Amarok in South Africa. Ford’s truck will also produce a body-on frame SUV similar to the Everest.