Saturday, July 23, 2022

Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion Launches the Latest Generation Ford Ranger in Malaysia


Ford, together with Malaysian authorised distributors Sime Darby Auto Connexion has launched the next generation Ford Ranger pickup truck. This ever popular pickup was engineered with valuable input from customers, Ford engineers and designers created a bold, purposeful exterior design and sleek, inviting, high-tech interior. Still familiar in its overall styling but improved all over according to the folks at Ford. I managed to attend the launch event even though I had quite a busy schedule. Maybe since it was Friday and most of my errands were done for the week (trying to get things back on track after all lockdowns over the past two years).


This new Ford Ranger in top of the spec form (Wildtrak for the whole package here in Malaysia) now features technologies which include the segment-first Evasive Steer Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Cross Traffic Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go. So we now get active safety features in the Ranger. Quite an improvement over the previous one which only came with the usual Airbags, ABS, EBD etc. Now you get more stuff that will guide you truck if and when necessary. It has been brought up to 2022 in terms of safety features.

The next-generation Ranger Wildtrak and XLT Plus carries forward Ford’s proven Bi-Turbo engine that delivers 210 PS and 500Nm of torque. This comes in the XLT Plus and Wildtrak forms while the base XL ad XLT get slightly less horsepower and torque (170ps and 405Nm) from a single turbo unit rather than the bi-turbo setup. In terms of transmission, you can opt for the 6 speed manual or 6 speed auto in the XLT and XL but onces you go up to the XLT Plus and Wildtrak, you will get Ford's improved 10 speed automatic transmission. According to Ford, all the engine and drivetrain has been optimised over the previous generation models. 


An upgraded chassis and suspension ensure improved ride and handling. the new Ranger is wider overall and features changes to the suspension geometry for better roadholding and off-roading. Aside from that there are less overhangs front and back. This would mean sharper approach and departure when tackling steep inclines. The new Ford Ranger has been designed by Ford with the Australian division taking charge. Over 1,250 million km testing mileage was conducted prior to launch.

Other changes includes an improved cargo area offers increased functionality and better access. The new Ranger has really been improved and it shows. In terms of exterior styling, you will see that it is familiar like the outgoing one but the front end has the new C-shaped daytime driving lights as the biggest clue that this is a new model. There are subtle changes from variant to variants but you can tell that the Wildtrak is the top specce model with its integrated roof rails and an integrated roll bat after the passenger cab. The rest feature a separate roll bar in chrome and no roof rails. These are aside from the different wheel designs of course. 


The next-generation Ranger will go on a debut tour to five regions across the country ahead of itsshowroom launch. It will come with five-years warranty and other enhanced aftersales offerings

Pricing for the new Ranger line-up starts at RM108,888 (On-The-Road without insurance) and more details are in the official press release below. The reason I don't have much to say is that this is essentially still a Ford Ranger, but made better with more equipment and stuff thrown into it. I do think that it will handle better as it is wider with that improved suspension setup. The interior is nicer with that larger center screen (for the top specced models) and you still get that overall Ford feel. 


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:

Dates Area/State Venue

23-24 July Klang Valley Level 5, Pavilion Bukit Jalil Exhibition Centre

3-7 August Penang Centre Court, Queensbay Mall

10-14 August Johor Bahru Toppen Shopping Centre

7-11 September Kuching Vivacity Megamall

5-9 October Kota Kinabalu Suria Sabah Shopping Centre

Ranger fans can sign up at the “Register” page https://www.sdacford.com.my/next-gen-ranger   to score exclusive invitations to the debut tour

Ford Ranger Wildtrak Photos









Ford Ranger XLT Plus Photos








Official Press Release 

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 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.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 22 July 2022 – Ford Motor Company, together with its local distribution

partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today 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.


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:

Dates Area/State Venue

23-24 July Klang Valley Level 5, Pavilion Bukit Jalil Exhibition Centre

3-7 August Penang Centre Court, Queensbay Mall

10-14 August Johor Bahru Toppen Shopping Centre

7-11 September Kuching Vivacity Megamall

5-9 October Kota Kinabalu Suria Sabah Shopping Centre

Ranger fans can sign up at the “Register” page https://www.sdacford.com.my/next-gen-ranger   to score exclusive invitations to the debut tour at

a location closest to them.

For more information about the next-generation Ranger, SDAC and Ford, follow the Ford

Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channel or visit www.sdacford.com.my.

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