Ford has unveiled its new facelifted Ranger pick-up, which has a fresh focus on better connectivity, safety technology and efficiency.
The Ranger is Europe’s best-selling pick-up, and consistently sells well in the UK. Ford is keeping to this winning formula by only making small styling revisions to its updated pick-up.
It features a revised front bumper, a new grille and an improved choice of exterior colours, while top spec models feature bi-Xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights.
Ford is introducing a new 2.0-litre ‘EcoBlue’ diesel engine to the Ranger, which replaces the thirsty 2.2- and 3.2-litre diesel units offered in the current model. This engine will be also available as a twin-turbo option, which produces 210bhp and 500Nm of torque — more than that offered in the current range-toping 3.2-litre diesel engine. It is also offered as single-turbocharged units, with 128bhp and 168bhp, dependent on trim level.
A six-speed manual transmission is the standard gearbox, but a 10-speed automatic transmission can be had on the two most powerful engines.
Safety is also key on the new Ranger, which is the first pick-up in its class to be offered with autonomous emergency braking – called ‘pre-collision assist’ – as standard, with park assist available as an optional extra.
As with the soon-to-be-replaced Ranger, you can have it as a two-seat Regular cab, an extended Super cab with rear seats and suicide-opening rear doors, and the four-door, five-seat Double cab. The latter option now comes with improved sound deadening for better refinement. Further assists offered include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition.
On the inside, the Ranger features Ford’s latest Sync3 touchscreen system, while improved connectivity is offered through an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as the FordPass mobile app, which helps owners and users to keep tab of their Ranger’s oil levels, tyre pressures and more.
But Ford hasn’t forgotten about the Ranger’s core purpose — to be a working vehicle. The Ranger can tow up to 3,500kg, with a payload capacity up to 1,252kg. And off-roading needs are also met with 23cm of ground clearance and a wading depth of up to 80cm.
Prices are yet to be announced for the Ranger, but will be confirmed closer to when it goes on sale in the middle of the year. It will likely be offered in the same trims as is currently — XL, XLT, Limited and Wildtrack, with a more sporty Raptor version on sale soon after.
