As auto manufacturers around the world rush towards creating variations on electric vehicles, Ford has moved to corner the market in pick-ups this year with the release of the Next-Generation Ranger, and in its partnership with Volkswagen to produce the 2022 Volkswagen Amarok.
Ford’s design and engineering teams collaborated with customers around the globe to create a vehicle and ownership experience that Next-Generation Ranger owners can rely on for their businesses, family lives and adventure.
“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” said Jim Farley, Ford 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 over 180 markets around the world.”
Customer-centered design led to innovative features throughout the truck, while a relentless testing and engineering program ensured every facet of the Ranger’s versatility was truly built Fordtough.
“Our intent was not to simply create a good truck. We wanted to deliver an exceptional one that people would want to own—one that customers around the world could trust to tackle anything,” said Gary Boes, Enterprise Product Line Management director, Global Trucks. Meanwhile, Volkswagen has been coy about releasing much detail about the new model Amarok. Motoring publication Drive described it as “a twin under the skin to the 2022 Ford Ranger… It will be built in a Ford factory in South Africa and powered by Ford turbo diesel V6 and twin-turbo 2.0-litre engines”.
Redefining Versatility
Next-Gen Ranger offers an array of organisation and storage solutions to secure cargo, make fitting accessories a cinch and even DIY customisation. For instance, owners can create segmented DIY storage spaces, both big and small, by sliding pieces of wood into slots moulded into the bedliner, or even get creative and build things like a bike rack.
There are tie-downs mounted in the bed, and on the Wildtrak variant there are external tie-down rails and sliding cleats that can be adjusted into nine positions to help secure odd-shaped cargo. The new rear load box access step is the result of more than 5000 interviews with pick-up owners, learning how they used their trucks and what they wanted from their next one.
“We’ve really packed a lot into the Next-Generation Ranger to inspire owners to do more of what they love to do, with features that encourage them to explore new horizons,” says Gary Boes, Enterprise Product Line Management director, Global Trucks.
Extra Versatility
Customers can personalise their Next-Gen Ranger with a range of as many as 600 factory-backed work, urban and adventure accessories, depending on the market. These accessories include those developed in collaboration with global offroad icon, ARB 4×4 Accessories. The ARB 4×4 Accessories and Ford collaboration will initially roll out in select markets.
For customers who want the ability to operate electrical accessories easily from the inside of the cabin, the new Wildtrak offers an optional auxiliary switch bank.
This allows customers to safely and easily add accessories such as light bars, work lights, warning beacons, loudspeakers and other electrical equipment to their vehicle.
And for those owners looking to make their Next-Gen Ranger adventure ready, the team made sure to create a space in the engine bay for a dual battery set-up.
This optional accessory kit will enable new owners to add an auxiliary battery to power their fridges, lighting, tools and other electrical gadgets without draining their main battery.
