The Ranger name was used by Ford on a number of platforms in the USA prior to the 1980s but it wasn’t until 1983 that it was introduced on its own. Designed to replace the Ford Courier, production ran until 2011 in the USA where it then petered out completely.
It was around this time that Ford Australia stepped in with a new design. Based on the T6 platform, the PX Ford Ranger was unveiled to the world at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October 2010 and the rest, they say, is history.
Let’s take a look back at that history
After the new PX Ford Ranger made its debut in Australia, production started in 2011. Despite the Ranger name from its past, this was not a rebadged Mazda like the earlier USA Rangers. With an increase in power, a bolder look and better towing capabilities, it was marketed globally to a total of 180 countries.
Three new engines were on offer including:
- 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 110kw/375Nm
- 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (4×2 only) for 122kW/ 225Nm
- 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 147kW/470Nm
Would you believe that when it was released in October 2011, there were no less than 17 4×4 variants? Prices ranged from $38,000 – $47,000 plus on-road costs. If only the latest models still ran at that price!
Underpinning the Ranger’s off-road excellence even back then, was the long wheelbase chassis which made for a more pleasant experience when exploring Australia’s bumpy back roads. This also resulted in a spacious cabin that didn’t eat into the length of the tub.
The Ranger excelled at safety, offering what was then considered cutting-edge technology. Most of the Ranger models achieved the coveted five-star ANCAP tick. As a workhorse, they also proved themselves early on with the ability to tow up to 3350kg and carry up to 1271kg, depending on the model of course.
Of note, was the game-changing four-wheel electronic traction control. Up until this point, a rear limited slip was the standard. In what started a trend in the ute sector, the XLT and Wildtrak also offered a driver-switched rear locker.
The Ranger gets a facelift
In 2015, the PX MKII hit the showrooms and the Ranger was given a major facelift. It now looked tough and aggressive and the XLT was the top seller of the range. Despite the noticeable cosmetic differences, a lot of the important changes were out of sight. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right?
We saw superbly calibrated power steering, retuned suspension, more power in the 2.2-litre engine (117kW/385Nm) and a bunch of tech upgrades. The 3.2-litre boasted a revised fuel injection and gained a new turbo, providing a quieter ride and fatter power and torque curves.
In a boon for the more serious 4x4ers, the problem of the driver-switched rear diff lock cancelling the electronic traction control on the front wheels was fixed, giving drivers scrambling for every bit of traction more of it.
The Ranger Raptor scored a 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine
Another big change occurred in 2018 when the PX MKIII Ranger Raptor scored a 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine for 157kw of power and 500Nm of torque. This was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a levelled-up towing capacity of 3500kg. Tech-wise, it gained a Terrain Management System and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
The 2.3-litre and 3.2-litre engine options remained but were largely unchanged and still available in six-speed manual or auto.
As cutting-edge safety tech became standard, Automatic Emergency Braking became standard on higher-end models as did Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Forward-Collission Warning.
Which takes us up to now
After months of leaked spy images and teasers, 2022 saw the introduction of the Next-Gen Ranger. Although most of the design and engineering work was done in Australia still, this design paid an obvious nod to Ford trucks in the US with signature C-shaped headlamp clusters.
The wheel track was widened by 50mm and in a move that we assume was to compete with the Amarok, a full-size shipping pallet could now fit in the back. A lot of thought went into the tub itself, adopting features from the F-Series trucks that were appealing to tradies and making it a top choice for those going from workday to weekend in their Ford Ranger.
But what definitely made people sit up and take notice was the 3.0-litre V6 engine seen previously in the larger F-150. The 3.2-litre five-cylinder was dropped and the familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder remained in both single-turbo and bi-turbo.
Tech-wise we now have 360-degree cameras, Multi-Terrain Selector drive modes and 4×4 info that shows on the screen when the Ranger is in four-wheel drive. The screen is no slouch either, now integrated into the dash and larger.
The 2023 Ford Ranger will still thankfully offer the 3.0-litre V6 on some models with a line-up that consists of XL, XLS, XLT, Sport, Wildtrak, Platinum and Raptor variants. Ford’s tech still blows away the rivals and an optional touring pack that includes clever zone lighting is a handy feature.
When will we see an electric Ranger?
Which Car reported back in September 2022 that Australia will see a plug-in hybrid Ranger in 2024. While Ford has officially confirmed that the Ranger’s T6 platform supports the move to electrification, nothing has been announced regarding a full-electric offering. Certainly, the electric F-150 has created plenty of interest in the US but Australia has not been as quick with the adoption of EVs broadly.
CFO for Ford globally, John Lawler said that one of the key reasons for the slower introduction time is that the markets that the Ranger is popular in – including Australia – aren’t moving as swiftly to electrification as the USA and Europe.
