Auckland, 16 August 2019 – Arriving from late December 2019, the 2020.25MY Ford Ranger will be offered with increased equipment levels across the line-up, from the entry-level Ranger XL through to the Ranger Raptor, and builds on AEB with Pedestrian DetectionUpgrade Ranger Newsroom-1 being standardised on every Ranger model earlier in 2019.
The 2020.25MY Ford Ranger XL now comes equipped with a Heavy Duty Suspension as part of a suite of changes to offer New Zealand customers even greater capability and performance.
The updates, arriving from late December 2019, reflect the wide and varied uses that see customers using their Ranger for both day-to-day convenience as well as a weekend adventure enabler. The line-up includes the hard working Ranger XL cab chassis, the premium pitched Ranger Wildtrak as well as the niche offering of the Ford Performance Ranger Raptor.
“New Zealand Ranger customers are finding so many different uses for their Ranger, from workhorse to weekend off-roader through to safely heading out with the family,” said Simon Rutherford, Managing Director, Ford New Zealand. “We’re glad to add to the versatility and capability of the Ranger line-up, and bring more value to customers with the latest updates. We’ll keep on working to make sure Ranger continues to be the vehicle that reflects what customers want.”
Champion weight-lifter: Ranger XL’s Chassis Cab Heavy Duty Suspension pack
The hard-working 2020.25MY Ranger XL Chassis Cab with a Heavy Duty Suspension (HDS) will further expand on its load-carrying capability. The factory-fitted HDS is a comprehensively engineered package with the full backing of Ranger’s five-year or 150,000 kilometre warranty (whichever comes first).
Building on Ranger XL Chassis Cab’s payload of 1195 – 1483kgUpgrade Ranger Newsroom-2 and class-leading towing capacity of 3,500kgUpgrade Ranger Newsroom-2, the package has been introduced to enable improved ride and handling characteristics for those who regularly carry a significant load in the rear tray.
Customer feedback from Ranger owners has seen the HDS developed to improve vehicle behaviour under load, in particular reducing visual ‘tail down’ when carrying substantial weight. When carrying a typical load of 550kg, for example, the HDS improves bump-stop clearance of 70 percent (or 25mm) compared to the standard suspension, enhancing the Ranger’s departure angles.
The componentry for the HDS includes:
Ford Ranger: connected at all levels
The 2020.25MY Ranger XL will also now include an improved Ford SYNCUpgrade Ranger Newsroom-3 infotainment system with an 8.0-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone compatibilityUpgrade Ranger Newsroom-4 as standard.
Further demonstrating the ‘Smart’ in ‘Tough Done Smarter’, all Ranger models will receive an additional USB port mounted behind the rear view mirror. This port has been designed to support dash cam units,many of which are powered by USB. The benefit of this windscreen-mounted USB port is that customers no longer need to have cables hanging from the windscreen down to the lower dash, or otherwise pull apart interior trim pieces to hide the cable.
The 2020.25MY Ranger XLT, Wildtrak and Ford Performance Ranger Raptor will be fitted with new high performance Bi-LED headlights for greater vision ahead, and increase vehicle visibility.
The new lighting system brings Bi-LED projector headlights, replacing the previous HID projector headlights, with an LED high-beam reflector (previously halogen reflectors). Aesthetically, the upgraded high performance lighting system is distinguished by a new square lamp design in place of the previous circular versions.
In comparable conditions, the new high performance Bi-LED headlights bring a significant gain in forward vision for Ranger, with 17 per cent greater lighting penetration on the road ahead, which increases to a 20 per cent greater penetration when High-Beam is in operation. Further benefits from the high performance lighting include a brighter, white colour light beam that’s closer to daylight, further bringing a clearer road ahead.
Ranger Wildtrak: the premium pick-up
The 2020.25MY Ranger Wildtrak brings customers an even greater level of premium comfort, capability and convenience with updated looks backed by new features. In addition to the high performance lighting system as standard, the Ranger Wildtrak brings a new machined-finish 18-inch alloy wheel as standard.
In addition, 2020.25MY Wildtrak will feature a power roller shutter as standard for greater convenience and usability. The new roller shutter can be activated three ways; via the key fob, a dash-mounted switch, or from a button within the Wildtrak’s tub. The new design brings a sleeker lid that liberates additional load space, with an increase of 80mm opening length between the canister and the tailgate with lift assistance. The sleeker design also enables an increase of 20mm in height clearance over the current shutter, for greater load space flexibility.
The updates for the 2020.25MY Ford Performance Ranger Raptor, which already has AEB with Pedestrian Detection, include the high performance Bi-LED lighting, additional USB port but also bring a fresh look to highlight its hero status in the line-up.
A new Ford Performance Blue paint colour choice will be available exclusively on Ranger Raptor, further distinguishing it as part of the Ford Performance stable, replacing Blue Lightning, which will remain available across the rest of the Ranger line-up.
The updated 2020.25MY Ford Ranger will be available in Ford dealerships from December 2019.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 199,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com
