We’re here at the Bangkok International Motor Show to bring you the launch of the new Ford Ranger. It’s the latest in the line of Ford’s compact pickup trucks- being the smallest in their range of pickups globally. The Ranger is said to have redefined the compact pickup truck segment, being the top seller in most of it’s markets in the region, with the exception of Malaysia and Australia.
This new model comes with 4 different engine options: the top of the line 3.2 litre turbo diesel, two different 2.2 litre turbo diesel variants, and a 2.5 litre petrol engine. But besides the engines, there’s plenty more about the Ranger to be excited about.
From a styling perspective, it is mostly an evolution on the pre-facelift model- the grill receives the brunt of the work, with a more aggressive looking face than the classic slats. Still, we would prefer if Ford would emulate their Raptor grill across their models- it certainly is the most aggressive look in their range.
The dashboard is where the largest changes are. It has been fully redesigned to make it more modern, as Ford attempts to make the Ranger more of a dual-purpose vehicle. As more people purchase pickup trucks as part of a lifestyle choice rather than being purely utilitarian, it’s important to appeal to these new customers.
In terms of actual features, there will be some variation in terms of what countries get- depending on market size and popularity. This Ranger features SYNC 2, which is the next generation of Ford’s entertainment system. It operates via an 8-inch touch screen, although this may or may not be available for our market. If it is, it will be the first model to feature this system for Malaysia- a signifier of how livable the Ranger is becoming.
The instrument cluster also changes to a TFT screen, but again it is difficult to say if this will be standard across the range. Many manufacturers are opting for this design as it offers more flexibility- at the risk of increasing complexity.
Safety systems are the last major change for this generation. The Ranger now gets plenty of new electronic aids, such as Trailer Sway Control, Forward Alert with Collision Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Alert and Aids. These systems may also vary from specification to specification, but it is an exciting addition to a traditionally utilitarian car.
The facelift is expected to be brought in sometime later this year.
