New Ford Ranger: Bold design, high-tech cabin

The exterior look of the Australian-designed 2022 Ford Ranger was based on extensive customer research and two internally developed guiding principles: ‘Bring in the Future’ and ‘Built Ford Tough’.

That combination of influences were refined by ongoing customer clinics as the design developed, resulting in what 2022 Ford Ranger chief designer Max Tran calls a “tough dominating front-end” and “more athletic and muscular side”.

Three design proposals made it from the sketch to clay stage and elements of all three made it into the final exterior.

The decision to widen the track and move the front wheels further forward to reduce front overhang – also made for engineering reasons – aided the ability to develop a tougher, more modern stance.

That was achieved in concert with an intentional nod to the full-size US F-Series pick-up trucks in the 2022 Ford Ranger’s broad-shouldered stance and front fascia, which features C-clamp headlights linked by a centre grille bar and backed by a deep grille mesh.

While design details including grille lowers, colours and headlight tech vary across the model range – we were shown Wildtrak, XLT Sport and XLT – the fundamentals such as the size of the upper grille opening stay the same.

Chrome is rarely used. LED headlights are offered on Ranger for the first time.

The cabin exterior is all-new with not one interchangeable panel or piece of glass with the current Ranger – although daylight openings (window frames) are the same size.

The overall length and width remains pretty much as per PX-gen despite the 50mm wheelbase and track increases. That means about 5.45m long and 1.977m wide for a dual-cab 4x4 such as the Wildtrak.

“The overall form of the truck is quite a big change, over not only the outgoing model but the competition as well. We designed it to stand out,” explained exterior design manger Leigh Constantino.

“We tried to emphasise the strength of Ranger, which our customers love, by adjusting the volumes to be more upright, much wider and taller, for a more truck-oriented theme.

“If I had to pull out one thing that resonated and set Ranger apart at first sight, it would be the upper grille and lamps.

“We continued the ‘Built Ford Tough’ lineage, connecting the upper grille to the lamps and interlocking the graphics to give a modern, powerful and identifiable front face that’s uniquely Ford.

“This makes for a very strong visual that really looks like it could conquer anything put in its path.

“While on the family side, overall, the exterior feels more protective and safer, allowing the customers to feel more secure.”

Other notable exterior design features include crisper lines emphasised by the move to integrated fenders from PX-generation Ranger’s concentric fenders, the use of wheel lip mouldings for the first time since the Aussie-developed Ranger first appeared in 2022, functional fender vent that exhausts heat from the engine bay and the Ranger name stamped into the tailgate.

Maximum wheel size goes up from 18 to 20 inches.

The wider track also means the cargo box can now fit an Aussie pallet, just one of a number of cargo area improvements Ford is touting.

The design of the 2022 Ford Ranger marks the first time virtual reality was used in the development process at the Australian-based Asia-Pacific product development centre, a decision the COVID-19 pandemic hurried along.

“We were able to collaborate with North America and the local design team in the virtual world,” explained Ford APAC design centre visualisation and 3D process manager Andrew Dallan-Jones.

“We could set the car up and all of that design team could stand next to each other as if they were in the same space and collaborate and talk about the design like they never would have been able to do.”

Another unexpected test was developing the Ranger amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were pretty lucky in that we got a lot of stuff we needed to get done before COVID had a really big impact,” explained Ford Asia-Pacific product development centre design director Max Wolff.

“At least a portion of us were able to come into the studio all the way through.

“There were a couple of reviews that we would have had people fly in for but we did them virtually and in some instances we made models in Dearborn (Ford US) so people there could see them.”

A dramatic technology overhaul is the centrepiece of the 2022 Ford Ranger’s interior.

There are now two much larger touch-screens replacing the old 8.0-inch screen.

At entry-level the screen measures 10.1 inches, growing to a massive 12.0-inch portrait screen in high-spec models. Both have a similar resolution and presentation, but the bigger screen carries more information.

Other highlighted 2022 Ford Ranger features include a choice of 12.4 and 8.0-inch digital instrument panels and an e-shift auto transmission lever.

“From the moment someone sits in the new Ranger, we want them to continue to experience the same toughness, sense of purpose and agility that we carry through from the exterior,” said Ford Ranger interior design manager Nick Eterovic.

“When they settle in, they will find a calm and confident space, which makes them feel in control.”

Early design iterations had the giant new touch-screen sitting proud of the dashboard, but this was rejected in customer clinics who did not like the “tacked on” look.

As per Ranger tradition, the screen is flanked by vertical air vents, which now use vanes aping the exterior grille. Again like the exterior, chrome detail is used sparingly – more feedback from customer clinics.

Some hard buttons are retained below the screens including audio control and the ability dial up maximum window defrosting, but most have gone.

It’s also noticeable the touch-screen does not turn at all toward the driver. Eterovic says this reflects the nature of Ranger.

“When you have a driver focus in a hot hatch or a Mustang it has its place, but within the truck it had no place. Democratic space all the way,” he said.

One overdue driver-focused feature is the addition of reach adjustment for the steering column. Previously it only adjusted for rake.

The new digital instrument panel is moderately customisable. You can remove items to ‘calm’ the screen and real-time animation show the vehicle as it switches through the drive modes.

But there aren’t multiple skins (sport, classic etc) or full-screen sat-nav.

Unlike the old upper-spec instrument panel, the tacho and the digital speedo can be seen at the same time. The upper-spec 12.4-inch IP is also wider than before. There will be no analogue instrument panel offered.

Ford’s designers also played around with both column-mounted and rotary dial automatic transmission gear selector, which were rejected in clinics. Instead they settled on a stubby gear selector they call an e-shifter. An electric park brake replaces a traditional lever.

As per previous auto Rangers – apart from Raptor, which gets paddles – the only manual shift ability is via a rocker switch on the side of the shifter. Past experience has proved it clunky and unhelpful.

All up, Ford says the new Ranger offers three shifter designs, which probably means the six-speed auto and manual transmissions get orthodox levers.

A ‘super-switch’ has been introduced to the console that integrates 4x4 modes (Ranger now has Terrain Management System) with other functions. It keeps all controls not used on a regular basis in one place, freeing up more space for storage and also making room for the 12-inch screen.

Ford’s interior designers have eked out more space inside a cabin which is already regarded as one of the more accommodating in the class.

While it doesn’t grow in size overall, there is more shoulder-room thanks to door trim changes and some legroom improvements.

The seats have been redesigned, with new bolsters and foam inserts. Second-row seats fold flat and have out-of-sight under-seat storage. Depending on the variant, rear occupants also have air-con outlets at the rear of the centre console.

Storage space was another focus for the interior design team. Key features include a double glove box, an open bin in the dashboard that can include inductive charging, retractable dashboard-mounted cup holders mounted at either end of the dash and extended rear door pockets.

There are three centre console designs: high-series, work-focused (which is lower with more open storage) and a short console that helps maximise loading capacity.

There are more soft-touch materials in the cabin and a smoother natural grain for soft wrap area.

A new aero grain inspired by a golf ball identifies storage locations, while a melange-look multi-coloured fabric that Ford says is more welcoming than a solid colour is introduced. It has the substantial additional benefit of better hiding dirt and soil.

Customer feedback led to the door release handles being mounted lower – looking more linear to provide easier reach to window switches and the arm rests.