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After a myriad of leaks, spy photos, and teaser images, Ford has just revealed its latest pick-up truck.
This is the all-new 2022 Ford Ranger, and it's set to replace the T6. Now on its seventh generation, the pick-up trucks get a bold new look, a more high-tech and comfortable interior, a more versatile bed, an improved chassis, and a new twin-turbo diesel V6.
With no more camouflage hiding its redesigned exterior, we now get to see what Ford changed on the Ranger's design. Visually speaking, the T7 Ranger features Ford's global truck design DNA. Borrowing inspirations from the Maverick and F-150, the pick-up gets a new defined grille, and the signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights. For the first time, matrix LED headlights are now available for the Ranger for better nighttime visibility. And around the back, the Ranger comes with new taillights that mirror the design of the pick-up's more stylish face.
Aside from the more chiseled bodywork, Ford was also busy upgrading the chassis of the pick-up. The wheelbase and track have been extended by 50mm to create more space and offer wider load space. It now also has a hydro-formed front-end structure that creates more space in the engine bay. That's because the T7 can come with a new twin-turbo V6 engine which we'll get to later.
Engineers also moved the front wheels forward by 50mm which gives the pick-up a better approach angle and outboard for improved off-road articulation. They even shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give the driver and passenger a better ride in both off-road and on-road terrain.
With a wider track and longer wheelbase, Ford was able to make the bed longer and wider as well. This will allow users to load flat items with ease, such as a sheet of plywood, or full-size pallets. Ford also put a new cargo box management system complete with dividers that can store various items like toolboxes, small items, and even lumber. The system makes use of spring-loaded cleats that clip into rails bolted to each side of the cargo box. There's also an integrated step on the side so owners can access the bed. And if that's not enough, the tailgate itself doubles as a workbench that comes with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets to measure, grip, and cut building materials.
Stepping inside, the Ranger boasts a flexible and modern dashboard. With the pick-up having to balance between a work truck and a family vehicle, Ford made sure that the interior of the 2022 Ranger is comfortable as a workspace, and has plenty of amenities to keep passengers relaxed or entertained.
At the center of the dashboard is a new tablet-like touchscreen infotainment screen. Depending on the model, it can either come in 10.1-inches or 12-inches in size. Unlike the outgoing model which still uses SYNC 3, the new screen now runs on the latest SYNC 4 system. It supports USB, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.
But perhaps the most important feature is the FordPass App. In a nutshell, this nifty app allows your phone to be always connected with Ranger's onboard systems. From remote starting the engine, turning on the air-conditioning, and remotely unlocking/locking the doors, the new app allows for easier manipulation of the Ranger's onboard controls. Other key features present in the 2022 Ranger include a 360-degree camera system, a new exterior lighting zone that provides all-around illumination, and voice-activated communications.
Under the hood, the all-new Ranger will come with three engine choices. There's the all-new 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel V6, an improved 2.0-liter EcoBlue turbo-diesel inline-four (available with either single or twin-turbo setup), and the gasoline-powered 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.
As before, the powertrain can be had with either a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, as well as a ten-speed automatic. When it comes to drivetrain options, Ford said the all-new Ranger can come with a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system or a more advanced full-time 4x4 system.
“The 3.0-L 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,” said Pritika Maharaj, Ranger Program Manager.
Looking to accessorize your all-new Ford Ranger? There are almost 600 fully factory-backed work, urban, and adventure accessories that will be available, depending on the market. The accessories include those developed in collaboration with off-road icon ARB 4x4.
“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” said Jim Farley, president, and CEO. “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.”
Production of the next-generation Ford Ranger is set to begin in 2022 at the company's Thailand and South Africa plants. With that in mind, expect the Ranger to make its ASEAN debut sometime next year.
Image: Ford
Kicked off in 1982, the Ranger has long been a staple of American farming and rural life. It was originally a compact pickup to compete with Chevrolet’s S10, and grew over the years as Americans and their perceived needs grew. The current/outgoing Ranger was actually launched internationally in 2011, but was not made available for American and Canadian markets until 2018.
The new Ranger, launched tonight, is a massive redesign of the old truck. It’s not quite a clean-sheet, but the truck received an impressive re-skin with F150-aping LED strip headlights and grille to give it a modern look that fits the corporate DNA. It’s not unattractive, I’ll say that much.
Image: Ford
The big news comes in the form of the powertrains you can order for the new Ranger. While the old Ranger was available with the 2.3-liter Ecoboost in the U.S. and two diesel options for the rest of the world, you can now get a choice of three different diesel engines, including the top-spec 3-liter V6 turbodiesel and a single- and twin-turbo variant of the 2-liter inline four. It doesn’t seem like the U.S. market will get these diesel options, but we’ll have to wait and see. All engines will be mated to either an updated 10-speed automatic, or the tried-and-true 6-speed manual. Obviously engine and transmission combos will depend on the market.
Image: Ford
There was a rumor that there would be a plug-in hybrid or potentially even an all-electric BEV version to match what Ford is doing with the F150 lineup. Honestly, I could see a Ranger PowerBoost fitting the lives of most American pickup buyers, so it’s a shame no such truck was even so much as teased in this launch. Ford says it made the engine compartment larger for this truck to “futureproof” it, so expect a hybrid model to come soon.
There was a little bit of a tease in the video for the next-gen Ranger Raptor, however, and it seems likely this one would be coming to America finally. Potentially with 2.7 Ecoboost power?
Image: Ford
Ford is pretty proud of the new additions to the Ranger design. There are some neat toe-holds in the rear quarter behind the wheel to help step up. The bed is much more versatile with a slew of racking and tie down accessories, plus an integrated workbench in the tailgate and plenty of places to plug in the equipment for 110v outlets. Inside you get wireless charging spots and a huge new vertical touchscreen for the infotainment.
FROM: AUTOINDUSTRIYA & JALOPNIK
