Next-Gen Ford Ranger Has Customer Focused Connectivity & Technology

Has enhanced user experience for owners to transition seamlessly from home or work to their next-gen Ford Ranger.

By now you probably know that this Next-Gen Ford Ranger pickup truck is the smartest Ranger ever and was designed and developed with feedback from previous Ranger owners.

This is why Ford engineers and product planners were able to bring to market this segment best pickup truck.

So, it comes equipped with an enhanced user experience that means owners can transition seamlessly from home or work to their vehicle. Let us explain in detail for you to better understand it.

Interestingly, it has a new-generation SYNC® 4A infotainment system working with a large-format screen that behaves like a smartphone.

Plus, the digital instrument display has replaced analogue clusters. This is why the next-gen Ranger pushes the boundaries of what a smart pickup should be with its customer-focused technology.

Digital Display

Next-gen Ranger has done away with a physical instrument cluster for things like the speedometer, replacing them with an eight-inch digital instrument panel that can be customised. These displays boast a start-up and farewell animation and a digital speedometer and tachometer. The graphics also feature realistic body-style avatars.

Depending on the variant, owners can toggle between layouts showing information such as driver-assist technologies, tachometer on or off and extra gauges. There’s also a ‘calm view’, which removes information on demand from the display.

Because next-gen Ranger features on- and off-road driving modes, the instrument panel displays a different theme for each selected drive mode, with animated mode changes when the driver scrolls from one to the other.

Smarter, Intuitive Connectivity with SYNC 4A

At the heart of next-gen Ranger’s technology story is the SYNC 4A communications and entertainment system. This system offers wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ smartphone connectivity and displays the latest features used to make the SYNC 4A system easier to navigate.

Big Screen

Whether the next-gen Ranger is equipped with a 10.1- or a best-in-class 12-inch infotainment screen, there’s a customisable split-screen setup with an information-on-demand panel always available at the bottom of the screen.

This displays key information, like native or connected navigation, the user’s connected smartphone and more.

The team chose a large-format tablet screen because it allowed for a good depiction of navigation while still leaving room at the bottom of the screen for things such as climate and entertainment controls.

Fewer Buttons, More Capability

Many of the traditional driving mode controls have been moved from the dash and centre console to their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen.

Depending on the variant, for example, with one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated off-road screen where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, roll angles and other controls.

The cabin climate and entertainment can be controlled via the SYNC screen, with additional physical controls mounted just below the screen for quick and easy adjustments.

Look All Around

The screen is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring.

The system allows the driver to see what’s in front of or behind the vehicle as well as a top-down view of the area around the vehicle, including blind spots, for added confidence.

Electric Parking Brake

The team fitted the next-gen Ranger WildTrak with a first-in-class electric parking brake for a more high-tech feel. This change not only allows for greater accessibility for drivers, but also provides the opportunity for increased advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

Keep It Charged

Next-gen Ranger now allows customers to keep their smartphone wirelessly charged and connected to SYNC 4A via a charging pad at the base of the centre console, which is also compatible with the latest Qi technology.

Smartphones also can be charged via a cable to a USB port or with the available 12V/240V sockets and the 150W inverter that brings power to the box.

Power Up High

With more and more drivers using dash cams, the team installed a high windscreen-mounted USB outlet. This Type-A USB outlet converts 12V power into 5V USB output and is designed to power an external GPS or dash camera.

It also can be used to charge a smartphone, although this outlet isn’t connected to the SYNC 4A system.

Depending on the variant, located at the load box, there are 400W and 12V sockets made available for any Do-It-Yourself jobs.

Let There Be Light

Next-gen Ranger’s model-dependent segment-first Matrix LED headlights (on the WildTrak) boast a raft of clever features, including auto dynamic levelling and speed dependent lighting that can adjust the intensity of the beam in front of the vehicle depending on the speed at which you’re travelling.

The headlights also offer both static and dynamic bending capability as well as glare-free high-beams, which help block light that could otherwise temporarily blind other drivers and cyclists.

Join the Debut Tour of the Next-Generation Ranger

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, will be previewing the next-generation Ranger in Kuching on 7-11 September at Vivacity Megamall, and at Suria Sabah Shopping Centre, Kota Kinabalu on 5-9 October.

Ahead of its showroom launch, these preview events are a part of the next-generation Ranger’s nationwide debut tour in 5 regions, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru over 5 weekends.

Don’t miss out on the upcoming preview events of the next-generation Ranger debut tour.

Sign up at the “Register” page here to score exclusive invitations to a venue closest to you.

For more information about the next-generation Ranger, SDAC and Ford, follow the Ford Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channel or visit www.sdacford.com.my.