Ford unveils next generation Ranger pick-up

Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 | Author: George Barrow

Ford has revealed details of its next generation Ranger with a new design, more car-like interior and range-topping V6 diesel engine.

The new Ranger will also get a revised chassis, making the pick-up both 50mm wider and 50mm longer in the wheelbase, as well as new suspension and updates to the manual and automatic transmissions.

A new design, which more closely resembles Ford’s US models, including the F150 pick-up and Everest SUV, sees the Ranger get a larger grille with a horizontal bar that incorporates the Ford badge to emphasise its greater width and broader stance. New “C-clamp” daytime running lights are joined by the option of LED headlights and rear LED taillights, and there’s a new tailgate design. The rear of the truck now gets the Ranger name stamped onto the tailgate while an integrated sidestep has been created in the rear bumper to help with reaching items safely from the centre of the load bed.

Other changes to the Ranger’s working attributes include new exterior zone lighting for the load bed and around the floor of the vehicle along with an onboard inverter providing 400W of power. There is also a new workbench-type tailgate with includes clamps to help you cut materials and plastic capping the cargo bed’s metal edges that not only prevent damage but also conceal structural anchoring points for canopies. The load bed will get cargo management dividers, to help you customise space and Ford says there will be nearly 600 accessories available at launch.

Existing 2.0-litre diesel engines have been modified for improved cooling and single and twin turbo options will remain, but top-power ratings will dramatically increase with the addition of a new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. No official power ratings have been given yet for the engines, but there will also be a four-cylinder 2.3-litre Ecoboost petrol engine.

New generation five- and six-speed manual gearbox will feature as standard across the range, and the current 10-speed automatic transmission has been made lighter and more responsive with smaller gaps between the gear ratios. Ford says this will help improve the Ranger’s towing performance as well as reduce the engine speed.

Entry-level models will get a basic four-wheel-drive system similar to the current system with on-the-fly changes to four-wheel-drive as well as a low ratio gearbox but the Ranger will also be available with a permanent four-wheel drive system.

On the inside there are more upmarket materials including a new SYNC 4 infotainment system available with either a 10in or 12in portrait touchscreen. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and customisable with everything from off-road information through to traffic navigation instructions.

The Ranger Raptor’s six driving mode system that includes dedicated gravel and snow modes will be available across the range and will be visible and controllable through a dedicated screen on the touchscreen where a 360-degree camera view will also be available.

Finally, the gearshift has been redesigned with an e-shifter along with an electronic parking brake. Ford says that this will allow future versions of the Ranger to have more driver assistance and autonomous systems.

Orders will open late next year with the first deliveries expected in 2023. Pricing and UK specification will be revealed closer to the launch.

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