The new Ford Ranger sets a new benchmark for pick-ups by presenting a bold and rugged new design that is smart and stylish, matched to an all-new interior that places the emphasis on space, quality and comfort.
“When you look at how our customers use their vehicles, it’s important that a Ranger looks and functions as a tough, dependable tool,” says Tracey Delate, general marketing manager, Ford Motor Company sub-Saharan Africa region.
“Our design team saw an opportunity to give the new Ranger extra tension, and to emphasise ‘Built Ford Tough’ design elements like the outboard nostrils – all while maintaining the new Ranger’s excellent aerodynamic characteristics.”
The new, modern look lends new Ranger pickup a powerful presence on the road, and immediately conveys a sense of capability. The design is defined by a strong new trapezoidal grille, flanked by imposing chiselled projector headlamps that are shaped to flow into the front wings. This clearly accentuates the width and strong stance, thus making the new Ranger instantly recognisable with a bold, technical look.
The lower part of the front bumper design incorporates a brush guard and is styled at the ends to include recessed driving lamps. The result is an evolution of the highly successful current Ranger in terms of both style and toughness, giving it a premium appearance over the competition in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.
Colour options are largely unchanged from the outgoing range, except for the new Wildtrak’s popular orange which will change to Pride Orange. Each of the new Ranger series has its own distinguishing features, designed to provide a distinctive visual identity between model lines:
• Base: Black grille with Ebony colour bumpers
• XL: Black grille with body colour bumpers
• XLT: Bright chrome grille with body colour bumpers
• Limited: Bright chrome grille with body colour bumpers
• Wildtrak: Titanium grille and bumper, Sport Bar and Super Alloy brush guard
The updated exterior has been combined with a stylish new interior that creates an even more comfortable, contemporary and car-like environment for the driver and passengers.
“The interior of the new Ranger pickup is sleek and modern, with a strong technical aspect to it,” Delate says. “Accentuating the design, we’ve chosen materials that are stylish and attractive while being durable enough to handle the harsh life of a working vehicle. The interior may look more car-like, but it’s as practical as ever.”
Strong horizontal lines run across the width of the cabin, with the attractive new ‘Beam’ style dashboard design imparting a sense of spaciousness. A clear distinction is created between the upper and lower levels, and places the focus on the central eight-inch touchscreen (on selected models).
The new dashboard is common across all new Ranger derivatives, except for the entry-level base that uses the carry-over dashboard.
Equipment and specification levels have also been updated to reflect the latest technology that Ford offers. Behind the steering wheel, a high-tech new dual four-inch TFT instrument cluster provides drivers with information about the vehicle, 4×4 driving data, multi-function computer as well as entertainment, phone and climate control details at a glance.
Engineers also fitted the new Ranger pickup with advanced sound-deadening materials and improved insulation for one of the quietest and most comfortable cabin interiors in its class.
For extra convenience, the new Ranger features a 230-volt power socket (in the Wildtrak) that can be used to power a laptop computer or other mobile devices anywhere, from a work site to a family road trip.