Making its global debut at the 2015 Bangkok International Motor Show is Ford’s popular workhorse, the Ranger facelift. After over three years of dealing with overwhelming demand and shortage of supply, the Ranger undergoes a mid-life revision to keep things fresh.
The Ranger is slated to be sold in more than 180 markets worldwide, of which its sales will commence later in the year. Changes that are most prominent on the pickup is its front face, sporting a redesigned, more sculpted hood, updated headlights with projectors, new grille and revised fog lights which were previously rounded. The rear however, retains the current look. Suspension is now tuned for better ride comfort and handling, too.
This facelift also brings about change in the cabin. Right off the bat, the Ranger benefits from an all-new Electric Power Assisted Steering. Behind the steering wheel is also new – the instrument clusters that now comes with dual-TFT screens, displaying important information such as vehicle status, GPS navigation and air conditioning controls.
Complementing the updated cabin is the 8-inch touchscreen multimedia head unit with SYNC 2, Ford’s latest in-car connectivity system. It supports a variety of voice commands, and you can even read your playlist out loud without manually navigating the screen.
Engine choices now include the carmaker’s new 2.5-litre Duratec petrol engine, making 163 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque if fueled with RON 95. (will not be introduced in Malaysia) Otherwise, both the 2.2L and 3.2L Duratorq engines are retained, with the former making 158 hp and 385 Nm of torque – an increase of 10 Nm from before.
The 3.2-litre oil burner produces the same 197 hp at 3,000 rpm and 470 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm, but features an updated exhaust gas recirculation system to help improve fuel efficiency which is said to be 18 percent better than before.
What’s interesting here is the engines now come with auto start/stop technology which functions by shutting off the engine at idle, thereby improving fuel economy by up to 3.5 percent. It’s definitely a first in class, but let’s see how it’s received here. Drivetrain options are the same, you either get a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.
Now, the best part of the Ranger is that it comes equipped with a host of advanced driver aid technologies. The list includes Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Program, Driver Impairment Monitor, Hill Launch and Hill Descent Assist, Adaptive Load Control and Emergency Brake Assistance.
If you ask us, this is how you slice your way up to the top. Read the breakdown below to know how these individual systems work.
i) Lane Keeping Alert & Lane Keeping Aid – Work in tandem to prevent drivers from straying out of his/her trajectory. It uses a front-facing camera to do this, and should the driver stray out of the lane, the feature warns the driver through vibration in the steering wheel. If no action is taken after the warning, the Lane Keeping Aid will automatically apply steering torque to get back in lane.
ii) Adaptive Cruise Control – Not your average cruise control, because this radar-based feature will decelerate of accelerate based on forward traffic movement. A speed limiter comes as standard, and you can manually set the stopping distance from the vehicle ahead.
iii) Forward Alert – Works with (ii); this feature automatically applies braking force when the Ranger detects a reduce in speed of the vehicle ahead.
iv) Front and Rear Park Assist – Helps drivers manoeuvre in and out of traffic via front and rear sensors, including a rear-view camera.
v) Tyre Pressure Monitoring System – Alerts drivers when tyre pressure is low
vi) Driver Impairment Monitor – Uses the front camera and on-board sensors to detect if the driver is drowsy. If it notices signs such as drifting off course and sudden corrective steering inputs, the system warns the driver with gradually louder signals.
vii) Hill Launch and Hill Descent Assist – Uses the pickup’s Traction Control System to assist in ascent or descent.
viii) Adaptive Load Control – Automatically adjusts the on-board Electronic Stability Control depending on vehicle load
ix) Emergency Brake Assistance – Provides additional braking force if the Ranger detects quick brakeforce application during emergencies.
The new Ranger will be introduced in Malaysia around the third quarter of 2015. All Malaysian Rangers will be built and assembled in Ford’s AutoAlliance plant in Rayong, Thailand. Let us know what you think of the Ranger facelift below!
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IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Ford Ranger Facelift at Bangkok Motor Show
2015 Ford Ranger Facelift Product Photos
