Wondering how Ford will differentiate its new Ranger models from each other?
New spy photos published on the Ranger6G forum offer some insight. A trio of Rangers snapped in Thailand reveal how (what we believe are) the mid-range XLT, off-road focused FX4, and more luxurious Wildtrak will look when the new ute is unveiled later in 2021.
These latest images match up with what a previous spy set from Thailand revealed.
The new Ranger has headlights that borrow heavily from the current full-sized Ford F-150 pickup truck, and an upright grille that’s home to a massive blue oval badge. It’s far more modern than the current model, which is a heavily-evolved version of a car that debuted in 2011.
Ford Australia has already offered a good look at the rear of the upcoming Ranger, and these images don’t offer all that much more detail.
Our brightened version of the official Ford teaser (below) offers a closer look at how the rear of next Ranger will look. It doesn’t offer too many surprises, with lights that borrow from the smaller Maverick and larger F-150 trucks from the USA.
The tailgate has what looks like new detailing on it compared to the current Ranger, and the wheel design on these cars doesn’t feature in the current line-up. Then again, this is an all-new car, so that’s to be expected.
According to CarExpert reports, the next-generation Ford Ranger and Everest will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
It’s unlikely to be available at launch in Australia, but the Ranger is expected to be offered with a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system.
The Ranger and Everest PHEV will produce around 270kW of power and 680Nm of torque, and is expected to offer a combined fuel economy of 3.0L/100km.
Our understanding is the plug-in hybrid engine is yet to be used in any Ford products globally.
Currently, the Explorer PHEV uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 and electric motor, while the Escape PHEV uses a smaller 2.5-litre four-cylinder in combination with an electric motor.
The Ranger and Everest are expected to launch with an overhauled engine range beyond just the PHEV.
The entry-level engine is expected to be a 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, while a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine will be available in high-end variants.
A 2.7-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is also likely to feature in the Ranger Raptor.
Revealed last year, the range-topping Bronco is available with a second-generation Nano 2.7-litre EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine.
CarExpert expects the same engine to feature in the next-generation Ranger Raptor.
It outputs 231kW of power and 540Nm and torque, mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive.
That’s a jump of 74kW and 40Nm on what’s offered by the current Ranger Raptor.
Inside, the Ranger is expected to be offered with a 15.5-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the cabin, packing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’ll be joined by a 12-inch screen ahead of the driver showing speed and trip computer information.
While the vertical screen is likely to be limited to top-specification models, lower models in the range are expected to pick up a 12-inch infotainment screen that also features SYNC4 and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In addition to wireless smartphone mirroring, both the Ranger and Everest will launch with FordPass Connect, which allows owners to connect to their vehicle remotely to start it, monitor vehicle conditions and perform functions such as locking and unlocking.
Our spy photos and footage suggest that Ford will also offer a surround-view camera for the first time in Ranger and Everest, with semi-autonomous parking with front and rear parking sensors expected to remain to complement the parking package.
What we know about the 2022 Ford Ranger and Ford Everest
- Four engines will be offered: two diesels, one petrol and a petrol plug-in hybrid
- The 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engine will be discontinued
- The Everest will be available in six trim levels, including an off-road focused Wildtrak X variant
- Everest pricing will stretch from around $50,000 before on-road costs to $76,000 before on-road costs
- The Ranger Raptor will gain a V6 turbo-diesel engine or 2.7-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol to replace its twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel
- Our computer generated images are based on a final clay model of the Ranger and Everest
- The interior on high-spec models will get a 15.5-inch portrait infotainment screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
