The next-generationFord Ranger is expected to be unveiled during the first half of next year and mayarrive in local showrooms in late 2021 or early 2022. Asecond speculative render has now appeared, whichseems to confirm thatthe longer, wider bakkiewill sport macho "US pick-up truck" looks. Plus, there is a possibility of a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol derivative sitting atop the range in Raptor guise…

*APG Ranger pictured above.

Last month, Aussie site CarExpert.com.aupublished a render of the upcoming bakkie and now its rival site, CarAdvice.com.au has done the same – and their speculative designs look remarkably similar. The latter site now reports that the next generation of the global bakkie (ostensibly based on the Australian-developed T6 platform)will bemarginally longer and have a wider track than the current Ranger. Most notably, the distance between the cabin and the front wheelsis said to have been lengthened (plusthe enlarge bay enlarged) to accommodate wider V6 powerplants, which the range doesn't currently offer, but is anticipated to be part of its successor'sline-up.

More recently, it was confirmed thatthe next-generation Volkswagen Amarok wouldbe based on the Ford Rangerand that the German company's upcoming double cab would be produced at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa's Silverton plant from2022; in other words, many of the details below may pertain to the next Amarok as well.

The Ford Rangerrender that CarExpert published last month shows some strong F-150 influence. We like it!

2022 Ford Ranger

CarAdvice's render, createdby Theophilus Chin, suggests the upcoming Ranger will feature distinctive extended grille bars and C-shaped DRLsto will help its exterior design tie in with that of thewildly popular Ford F-150, alongside which the Blue Oval's next-gen one-tonner will be sold in North America.

The bakkie's off-road approach and departure angles are expected to be improved, substantial changes will be made to the bakkie's suspension geometry" to improve both on-and off-road performance", while the rear bumper will feature anew towbar designand side-steprecesses to make it easier to climb into the load bed, the site said.

The venerable 3.2-litre 5-cylinder turbodiesel motor received a stay of execution with the recent facelift, but will be discontinued for the next range, with the engine lineup focusing on the 2.0-litre single- and twin-turbocharged diesel engines. This bi-turbo motor produces 157 kW and 500 Nm andismated with a 10-speed auto'box.

The CarAdvice render shows more brightwork on the front end;it seems the "baby F-150" look is all but confirmed.

Broader engine line-up mooted

As we recently revealed in the How the AmaFord changes everything opinion piece,Ford’s 3.0-litre Power Stroke V6 turbodiesel, as featured in the F-150, is likely to feature inboth the next-generation Ranger and Amarok (in combination with the Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission).The Power Stroke turbodiesel is rated at 186 kW and 600Nm and gives the F-150 a tow rating of just over 5 tonnes, which should make Ranger owners who like to tow things like horseboxes and boats more than happy.

While Ford South Africa doesn't offer a petrol-powered Ranger in its portfolio, there is a 2.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder motor available for its overseas markets. For the 2022 Ford Ranger, this motor may be paired to a plug-in hybrid system, although that might not be of as much consequence to the local market as North America, for example.

Petrol-powered Raptor?

Apart from the strong likelihood that the aforementioned Power Stroke turbodiesel will be used in the next-generation Raptor, CarAdvicereports that Ford is considering to transplantthe 3.0-litre V6twin-turbopetrol enginefrom the North American market's Explorer STinto the next-generation Raptor.The motor, which is also mated with the10-speed automatic transmission,produces peak outputs of about 300 kW/560 Nm, which helps the ST-badgedExplorer achievea claimed top speed of 230 kph.

Meanwhile, it's widely acknowledged that the Ranger is already the "most connected bakkie" in our market thanks to its feature-rich SYNC3infotainment interface. Still, you can guarantee that Ford will go all out to ensure this market advantage continues with the next generation bakkie…

Reports suggest that apart from a new digital instrument cluster, higher-spec derivatives will feature a 12.8-inch portrait infotainment screen replete withwireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while SYNC4 and asmartphone app calledFord Pass, which enables owners to locate, lock and unlock the car remotely, arealso expected to be offered.

CarAdvice further suggests that the next-generation Ranger will have a significantly upgraded suite of safety features, although we stress that not all of these may not be of consequence to the local market. Ideally, top-spec examples of the newcomer could benefit fromdisc brakes all round, a centre airbag(designed to deploy between the front seats),blind zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, over and above autonomous emergency braking, adaptivecruise control and traffic sign recognition.

While we know that production of the next-generation Amarok at Ford's plant in Silverton will commence in 2022, we expect the next-generation Ranger to roll off the line a bit sooner, but we don't yet know when. Suffice to say we'll bring you more updates as and when they become available…

Further Reading:

Next Volkswagen Amarok to be built in SA

How the AmaFord changes everything

2022 Volkswagen Amarok: What We Know So Far

Building the Ford Ranger Raptor's Engine