Instantaneous
- Local launch of the new Ranger with six ranks
- Maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kg available with diesel variants
- Local launch planned for the second half of 2022
The next next-generation Ford Ranger will arrive in Australia in six different grades, ranging from the entry-level XL to the flagship Raptor.
Launched in November last year as a replacement for the current generation Ranger, which has been in service since 2011, the new iteration aims to secure Ford’s place at the top of the sales charts – not just by building on the success of the outgoing model, but beating its rivals at all levels.
Although pricing has yet to be announced, Ford has announced detailed information on the next Ranger, which is expected to launch in the second half of 2022.
27
Characteristics
Starting with the base XL variant, the Ranger is equipped with standard features such as:
XL
| 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel with six-speed automatic transmission or twin-turbo diesel with ten-speed automatic transmission |
| 4×2 or 4×4 |
| Locking rear differential (standard on 4×4, optional on 4×2) |
| Front disc, rear drum brakes |
| Five body styles – Regular Cab Chassis, Super Cab Chassis, Double Cab Chassis, Super Cab Pickup, Double Cab Pickup |
| Trailer tow body wiring (tow bar optional) |
| Steel underbody protection with transfer case |
| 16-inch steel wheels and full-size spare wheel |
| Halogen daytime running lights |
| LED rear lights (pick up), halogen rear lights (chassis cab) |
| Liftgate with lift assist (pickup truck only) |
| Vinyl flooring |
| Eight-way manual driver’s seat, four-way manual front passenger seat with ebony cloth seat trim |
| Electric rear windows (crew cab only) |
| Single zone climate control |
| 10.1-inch portrait LCD touchscreen |
| Built-in modem |
| Remote start (via FordPass app) |
| SYNC 4A infotainment system (with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) |
| Coast-to-coast dashboard with smart storage solutions |
| Eight-inch color digital instrument panel |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column |
By upgrading to XLS, buyers benefit from additional amenities, including:
XLS
| 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel with ten-speed automatic transmission |
| Four drive modes (normal, eco, slippery, tow/haul) |
| Double cabin pick-up only |
| Black running boards |
| Halogen fog lights |
| Black grille with silver accents, halogen headlights, daytime running lights |
| 16-inch alloy wheels with dark sparkle silver finish |
| 16 inch steel spare |
| Power tailgate lock |
| Carpet |
| Driver’s floor mats |
| Six-speaker audio system |
The XLT is the next variant on the list, marking the following in addition to the XLS:
XLT
| 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel with 10-speed auto or 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel with 10-speed auto |
| e-Shifter (V6 only) |
| Electronic parking brake |
| Rear disc brakes |
| Three body styles – double cab chassis (V6 only, super cab pick-up (twin-turbo only), double-cab pick-up (also available as 4×2 twin-turbo only) |
| Body colored door mirrors and door handles |
| Towing bar |
| Lockable 4×2 rear axle |
| Prominent upper grille with chrome center bar |
| LED headlights |
| C-Clamp LED Daytime Running Lights |
| 17-inch alloy wheels with dark sparkle silver finish |
| 17-inch steel spare wheel |
| Black sports bar (pickup only) |
| Rear bed lighting (pick-up only) |
| Bedliner with 12 volt plug (super sab is equipped with a spray-in bedliner with 12 volt plug) |
| Dual zone climate control |
| Built-in Sat Nav/TMC/DAB Radio |
| Built-in voice assistant |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter |
| Smart keyless entry with push button start |
| Electrochromatic mirror |
The Sport level also returns as the next cab in the tier, available as a 4×4 Crew Cab only with upgrades to the XLT such as:
sport
| 4×4 only |
| Six rotating riding modes (normal, eco, slippery, tow/haul, sand, mud/ruts) |
| Double cabin pick-up only |
| Dark decorative grille |
| LED front fog lamps |
| Dark Exterior Accents |
| Two front-mounted tow hooks |
| Protection shield |
| 18-inch alloy wheels and spare wheel with machined face and asphalt black accent |
| Two front floor mats |
| Wireless charging |
| Off-road screen |
| 8-way power driver’s seat, 8-way manual passenger seat with ebony leather trim, “SPORT” embossing |
Retaining its place as the premium diesel variant, the Wildtrak adds even more equipment, including:
wildtrak
| Unique Wildtrak grille design with a durable mesh painted in a signature rock gray accent |
| Integrated trailer brake controller |
| Exterior mirror with dome lights and accent lighting |
| Roof bars |
| Aluminum cargo box tie down rails |
| 18-inch alloy wheels painted in rock gray including spare wheel matched with Goodyear Wrangler off-road tires |
| Wildtrak Molded Sports Bar |
| Electric roller shutter |
| Freight management system |
| Ambient lighting |
| Sliding cup holder |
| 12 inch color touch screen |
| Eight-way power-adjustable driver and passenger front seats with heating and Wildtrak leather trim |
Finally, the top-of-the-line Raptor, boasting solid off-road credentials with the following features:
Raptor
| 3.0-litre EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6 petrol engine with 10-speed automatic transmission |
| Active exhaust |
| Fox Racing 2.5-inch Dynamic Valve Suspension and Watts Link Coil Suspension |
| Electronic locking front differential |
| full time 4×4 |
| Unique grille in capital letters “FOR-D” |
| Automatically dynamically leveling Matrix LED headlights with LED daytime running lights |
| Full LED taillights |
| LED front fog lamps |
| 2.3mm thick front skid plate |
| Raptor Dual Tow Hooks |
| Spray-on bedliner |
| 17-inch alloy wheels with T285/70 R17 BF Goodrich K02 High Performance All Terrain tires (beadlock compatible wheels optional) |
| Customizable 12.4-inch digital dashboard |
| Paddle shifters |
| Seven riding modes (normal, sport, slippery, mud/ruts, sand, Baja, rock crawl) |
27
Choice
A number of option packs will be available for the Ranger range, from XL to Wildtrak.
Towing package (XL/XLS only)
| Integrated trailer brake controller |
| Towing bar |
XLS technical package
| SYNC 4A infotainment system with integrated sat nav/TMC/DAB radio |
| Dual zone climate control |
| Second row air vents |
| Smart keyless entry with push-button start and body-color door handles |
Touring Pack (XLT/SPORT 4×4 pickup only)
| Integrated trailer brake controller |
| 360 degree camera |
| Spot lighting |
Wildtrak Premium Package
| Six overhead auxiliary switches |
| Matrix LED headlights |
| Full LED taillights |
| Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with ten speakers |
27
Engine and transmission
As previously reported by Wheels, the next-generation 2023 Ford Ranger will be powered by a range of four engines across its six grades.
The entry-level XL is the only variant available with Ford’s 2.0-litre single-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and developing 125kW and 405Nm.
Also available in the XL and above is a twin-turbo diesel version of the 2.0-litre engine, now developing 154kW and 500Nm, sending its power to the rear or all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission .
New for 2023 is the 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel, the Ranger’s first straight-six engine that’s only available for the XLT, Sport and Wildtrak. It boasts a healthy boost in power and torque over the 2.0-litre options with 184kW and 600Nm on tap, again mated to a 10-speed auto.
Exclusive to the flagship Raptor, Ford’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre ‘EcoBoost’ V6 petrol engine, drops a small amount of torque to its diesel siblings at 583 Nm, but packs a lot more horsepower with 292 kW on tap.
27
Dimensions and payload capacity
The 2023 Ford Ranger features a 50mm longer wheelbase and 50mm wider track than the outgoing model, allowing the 1233 liter tank to accept a Euro pallet (1200x800mm) – although the length of the tank goes from 1544 mm to 2305 mm depending on whether it is a single cabin, additional cabin or double cabin.
Vehicle payload starts from a maximum of 958 kilograms on the Ranger XL 4×2 Double Cab Pickup, up to the XL 4×4 Single Cab Chassis which offers the highest payload capacity of 1327 kg before installation of a plate.
Ranger Sport, Wildtrak and Raptor variants have payloads of just under a tonne, while XLS and XLT models range from 995kg to 1151kg.
The entire Ranger range boasts a maximum braked towing capacity of 3500kg – with the exception of the range-topping Raptor, which can only tow 2500kg braked – while the Ranger Wildtrak double cab pick-up 4×4 offers the highest GVM count at 3350 kg.
27
Security
Although not yet rated by ANCAP, the new Ranger features a range of safety technologies, including:
| Nine airbags including driver and passenger knees |
| Adaptive cruise control |
| Collision Mitigation (Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Road Edge Detection) |
| Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert (pickup only) |
| Rear view camera (pickup only) |
| Rear parking sensors (pickup only) |
| Trailer coverage (when factory tow pack is installed) |
| Anti-lock brakes |
| Electronic stability control |
| Front parking sensors (XLS and up) |
| Rain-sensing windshield wipers (XLT and up) |
| Intelligent adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist |
| Lane centering/stop and go (XLT and up) |
27
Availablity
Ford said the new Ranger will land in Australia in the second half of the year, with pricing to be announced closer to the launch date.
