Ford Motor Company, together with its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) recently debuted the next-generation Ford Ranger with official announcement of price ahead of the showroom launch.

The next-generation Ranger line-up in Malaysia consists of seven different variants, including the XL, XLT, XLT Plus and WildTrak. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated high-performance Ranger Raptor will be launched in the fourth quarter this year.

The smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever, next-generation Ranger delivers an even more desirable pickup partner customers can rely on for work, family and play,

In conjunction with the arrival of the next-generation Ford Ranger, SDAC is also introducing several new aftersales services to enhance the ownership experience.

“The Ranger has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more in more than 180 markets around the world. With the new advanced features offering even greater capability and versatility, we believe that the next-generation Ranger will continue to revolutionise the pickup segment and build on its widening appeal in the market,” said Yukontorn ‘Vickie’ Wisadkosin President, ASEAN and Asia Pacific Distributor Markets, Ford Motor Company.

“The trend towards pickups for more than just work has been growing in Malaysia. This is especially true for the upwardly mobile and affluent who used to prefer SUVs but are now gravitating to the Ranger, particularly WildTrak, for its work capabilities, latest technologies, and premium sedan interior. We are confident the next-generation Ranger will fulfil the needs and wants of an even broader range of customers as an all-rounder vehicle for work, family and play,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

New Look, New Capabilities

Visually, the next-generation Ranger is bold and confident, with a purposeful exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille, and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel-arches that gives Ranger a sure-footed stance.

For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights (on the WildTrak) with auto high lamp headlamp, which also comes standard on the XLT Plus. At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the signature graphics on the front.

A hydro-formed front-end structure helps future-proof the Ranger for other propulsion technologies. It also opens up the front of the pickup to allow more airflow to the radiator, which helps keep running temperatures low when towing or carrying heavy loads.

Improved ride and handling

To enhance the balance between the ride comfort and car-like performance with the tough truck and off-road performance that the Ranger is known for – engineers focused on the fundamentals.

A 50mm track and wheelbase increase for the next-generation Ranger offers improved stability on- and off-road. It has also improved the front approach angle to 30 degrees (up from 28.5 degrees) and rear departure angle to 23 degrees (up from 21 degrees).

Engineers also increased the turning range and shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a more controlled ride whether the vehicle is laden or not.

Traditionally the only Ranger Raptor offered selectable drive modes. Now the next-generation Ranger offers up to six, depending on the variant. The modes are: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on- road and Mud/Ruts and Sand for off-road on the WildTrak. Meanwhile, variants from the XL base to the XLT Plus now come standard with four drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery. These modes adjust everything from the gearshift to throttle response, traction and stability controls, ABS and more.

Meanwhile, off-road recovery is made easier with prominent dual recovery hooks in the front bumper.

Customer-focused interior features

Inside, the car-like cabin of the next-generation Ranger steps up.

Recognising customers preference for a flexible, modern cockpit that is smart, functional yet feels like a premium SUV, Ford set about designing the next-generation Ranger with a high level of well- integrated technology, clever functional storage, premium soft-touch materials and visual cues so the environment feels comfortable and spacious.

The heart of the Ranger’s connective experience is the first-in-class large 10.1-inch or 12-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s latest voice-activated SYNC® 4A communications, entertainment and information system.

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. With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.

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

The design team also created clever storage and useful features for owners including places to store a phone or charge it wirelessly (on the XLT Plus and WildTrak) and a large centre console bin. The door pockets have been designed to carry more, the wide dash conceals an upper glovebox and there are storage bins under and behind the rear seats.

Built to do more with better access, more functional space

Ford also saw another big improvement opportunity after observing how customers climbed up to the load box. That was the inspiration for creating an integrated side-step behind the rear tyres of the next- generation Ranger (available for the WildTrak), to create a strong, more stable way for them to access the box.

In addition, the Ranger team worked to ensure that a wider variety of cargo could fit and stay secure in the load box. By simply widening the truck by 50mm, customers can now load flat huge fundamental items, such as a sheet of building plywood or a full-size pallet.

Additional thoughtful, customer-focused touches include a new, tough plastic-moulded bedliner (on the XLT Plus and WildTrak) that helps protect both the truck bed from scratches and owner’s knees from kneeling on a steel truck bed. Extra cargo tie-down points – on strong steel tube rails – provide convenient points to secure loads. Durable, flexible load box caps around the sides of the box and across the tailgate conceal structural attachment points for canopies and other aftermarket accessories.

The next-generation Ranger also offers a new cargo management system designed with dividers to hold various sized items – like timber or toolboxes. Owners also can create smaller compartments to store objects, which would otherwise have to go in the cab, using a system of ultra-strong spring-loaded cleats that clip into rails bolted to each side of the cargo box. The tailgate can also double as a mobile work bench with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets to measure, grip and cut building materials.

Next-generation safety

Ford engineers spent thousands of hours developing and testing next-gen Ranger’s safety features, both via computer modelling and the most comprehensive physical testing program ever conducted by Ford outside of Europe and the US.

With the next-generation Ranger offering more of the latest in crash protection features and advanced driver assistance technologies, customers can feel even more secure and confident on and off the road.

The segment-first Evasive Steer Assist is available on the next-generation WildTrak. The system helps drivers avoid potential forward collisions by helping drivers steer with less effort when a collision cannot be avoided by braking alone.

The next-generation WildTrak and XLT Plus also come a new Post-Collison Braking system, which applies the brakes after a collision to reduce the risk of secondary collisions. Also new to the Ford Ranger is Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop-and-Go feature, Cross Traffic Alert and Reverse Brake Assist on the WildTrak.

As part of the smart technology safety suite on next-generation Ford Ranger, the Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) system on the XLT Plus and WildTrak has been enhanced with cyclist and pedestrian detection in addition to providing AEB support at an intersection in some instances.

Pricing, colours and enhanced aftersales service

The following variants of the next-generation Ranger are available at the respective prices:

• Wildtrak – one variant, from RM168,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM174,388 (East Malaysia) – On-The-Road without insurance
• XLT Plus – one variant, from RM142,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM148,388 (East Malaysia) – On-The-Road without insurance
• XLT – two variants, from RM124,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM129,888 (East Malaysia)
  • On-The-Road without insurance
• XL – two variants, from RM108,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM114,888 (East Malaysia)
  • On-The-Road without insurance

The next-generation Ranger will be available in two new stunning colours – Sedona Orange and Luxe Yellow on the WildTrak – in addition to the existing colours of Arctic White, Meteor Gray, Aluminium Metallic, Lightning Blue and Absolute Black (depending on variants)

To ensure superior ownership experience, SDAC-Ford is also introducing new aftersales and service enhancements.

For a start, next-generation Ranger owners can opt for an extended service package, through which they can make upfront payments for scheduled services for up to five years. A key benefit is cost savings as they can lock-in the current price amidst rising costs and build the payments into their loan.

Additionally, besides the standard five-year warranty, customers can also choose an extended warranty of up to seven years for more peace of mind.

A more engaging and inclusive ownership experience

Customers who purchase the next-generation Ranger will also immediately be part of the Ford Inner Circle in Malaysia – a community of like-minded individuals who enjoy pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons, contributing back to society or going for excursions like the Ford Ranger Getaways with friends and family.

Created exclusively for the Malaysian market, next-generation Ranger customers will receive a privilege key code which offers exclusive discounts to get them started on their Ford Ranger Getaways adventures in addition to invitations to exclusive events. They will also have access to scheduled familiarisation sessions at a Ford showroom that not only allows them to build relationships with their preferred dealer, but more importantly provides them with in-depth understanding of the features and full potential of their next-gen Rangers.

An industry-first, Ford Ranger Getaways is a community-based adventure platform designed to provide a richer and more immersive experience of what it means to Live the Ranger Life for customers. It brings together Ranger owners, friends and family, other like-minded people and Ford enthusiasts through a series of unique local drive and adventure experiences.

Besides organised scheduled adventures such as off-roading courses, customers can also go for other experiences with open schedules such as becoming a pilot for a day with like-minded thrill seekers, enjoying a leisurely day with nature or at a simple retreat with friends and family.

Register for an invitation to the next-generation Ranger debut tour now

In addition to the main debut event in Kuala Lumpur, the next-generation Ranger will be hitting selected locations in four other regions nationwide.

The tour schedule is as follows:

Ranger fans can sign up at the “Register” page here to score exclusive invitations to the debut tour at a location closest to them.