The next-generation Ford Ranger has finally been unveiled. Here’s what we know about the Blue Oval’s newcomer, which, like its predecessor,will be built in South Africa.

Throughout the past few months, our channels have been inundated with teaser images, videos and spy photographs of the next Ford Ranger and, today, the new-generation bakkie has finally been revealed. Ford calls this rival to the GWM P-Series, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara – and especially the top-selling Toyota Hilux– the “smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever.”

“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” said Jim Farley, the Ford Motor Company’s president and CEO. “This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets – and so many more – in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver… not just a product our customers will love, but an always-on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the mid-sized truck people will want to own and experience.”

See also:Double-Cab 4×4 Bakkie Buyer’s Guide (2021)

The all-new Ford Ranger will be built at the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria, as well as in Thailand, for the global market. Interestingly, the new Ranger project was spearheaded by Ford’s Product Development Centre in Australia. Australia isabakkie-crazy nation (as we are) and, in case you didn’t know it, the outgoing Rangerwas, by and large,developedDown Under as well. Ford claims to have tapped into its current ownership base and conducted more than5 000 interviews and customer workshops to try to understand the market’s needs and expectations.

2023 Ford Ranger Design

The teaser images did a good job of concealing the new model’s finer exterior details, because the production-ready design certainly looks fresh and contemporary. Pictured here are the mid-range XLT, rugged Sport and luxurious Wildtrak derivatives of the new range.There are design elements that were borrowed from the rest of the Ford pickup range, includingthe front-wheel-drive Maverick and the darling of the North American market – the F-150. The front is characterised byan aggressive grille,C-shaped headlights (with matrix LED headlight technology, for the first time) and daytime runninglights.

See also:Drag Race! Hilux vs Ranger vs Amarok vs P-Series vs BT-50 vs Navara (all 4×4)

Thebodywork features plenty of creases and lines, all of which gives the new Ranger a muscular stance, while the bakkie’s rear end shows off newly-designed tail-light clusters. The cabin is where the new Ranger really shines, however. The interior architecture is dominated by a smart-looking portrait-oriented infotainment system, which is underpinned by Ford SYNC4 technology.

The newcomer’s fascia appears far less cluttered than before… Ford has effectively done away with many buttons bymigrating some controls into the bakkie’s infotainmenttouchscreen(functions such as the 4×4 modes andclimate controlare now integrated here). What’s more, a full 360-degree camera system is now available and, thanks to an embedded modem, the bakkiesupportsover-the-air updates.

Under the sheet metal, the all-new Ford Ranger rides on the 3rd generation of the T6 platform. The wheelbase is 50 mm longer and the track is 50 mm wider compared with those of the outgoing model. The new-look front end structure allows for more space in the engine bay, which means a bigger engine is in the offing… Ford has confirmed that a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel will be offered in the new Ranger.

Other engines on offer include the single-turbo diesel and bi-turbo diesel 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motors, which are produced in Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s factory in Gqeberha. The next-gen Ranger will also be available with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbopetrolengine. As far as transmissions are concerned, the current bakkie’s 10-speed automatic transmission has been updated, but Ford will also offera 6-speed manual gearbox. At this stage, Ford has not shared engine outputs or claimed performance figures…and we also don’t have info on what’s earmarked for the local market.

Other noteworthy mechanical developments range from the repositioning of the front wheels, which have been brought forward and pushed outward by 50 mm for a better approach angle and off-road wheelarticulation, to shifting the rear dampers to improve the ride quality. Customers will have a choice of two 4×4 systems: the traditional shift-on-the-fly setup, as well as a permanent 4×4 system.

Other really cool touches on the new Ford Ranger include theintegrated side-step behind the rear wheels that allow for easier access into the load bay, the widened load bay, which is claimed to accommodate a sheet of plywood or a full-size pallet.It comes equipped with additionaltie-down points and the tailgate doubles up as a workbench, replete with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets.

For those who like to accessorise their bakkie (and many buyers do), Ford says customers will be able to personalise their vehicles with “almost 600 fully factory-backed work, urban and adventure accessories, depending on the market. These accessories include those developed in collaboration with global off-road icon, ARB 4×4 Accessories.”

South African Availability

The new Ford Ranger will be launchedin South Africa in 2022 with order books opening in the 2nd quarter. The local model’s engine lineup and outputs, as well as derivatives, will be shared closer to the launch. There was no mention of the next-gen Ranger Raptor, but we’re sure it’s in the pipeline… there will undoubtedly be more info about the range’s flagship in the coming months.

Further Reading:

Ford Ranger Raptor Special Edition (2021) Launch Review

Ford Ranger Stormtrak (2021) Launch Review

Ford Ranger FX4 (2021) Review

New Ford Ranger will be tough offroad

Ford Ranger Special Edition launch review