New Ford Ranger Tremor and Wolftrak names patented

Clues to the new-generation 2022 Ford Ranger line-up are beginning to surface online, with the Blue Oval brand submitting two new trademark applications with IP Australia last week: ‘Ranger Tremor’ and ‘Wolftrak’.

Both applications were submitted on December 7 and filed under Class 12 (motor vehicles), and neither new nameplate is currently offered Down Under.

A quick look around Ford’s North American and European websites reveals the Tremor is equivalent to the locally offered Ranger FX4 Max and the Wolftrak is a special-edition version of the Ranger XLT.

But the Australian patent examination reports aren’t due to be issued until June 7 – around the same time as the new-generation Ford Ranger is expected to be launched locally.

So far the new Ranger has only been revealed in premium Wildtrak form (pictured).

Given Ford’s increasing emphasis on the Australian-developed Ranger’s identity as a “global truck”, we think the Tremor nameplate will replace the FX4 Max as the ‘Raptor lite’ variant in the next-gen Ranger line-up Down Under.

Meantime, the Wolftrak could be released here within weeks or months as a special run-out edition based on the most popular XLT grade to help clear out remaining stock of the current model.

Based on the current Australian FX4 Max’s spec and the North American Tremor’s kit list, we expect the 2022 Tremor to retain its dialled down Fox suspension set-up, beefier tyres, leaf-sprung rear-end and extra ground clearance over the standard Rangers, without threatening the coil-sprung Raptor’s status as the most capable Ranger.

As for the Tremor, an imminent local introduction wouldn’t be too much of a surprise given Ford Australia has introduced plenty of special-edition Rangers over its more than decade-long lifespan, many of which were based on the volume-selling XLT.

Essentially a blacked-out XLT, the Ranger Wolftrak debuted in Europe back in April, powered exclusively by the familiar 2.0-litre biturbo-diesel engine which unlike in Australia, can be had with the choice of a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission – we only get the auto.

Standard equipment highlights – in Europe – include a tub liner, cloth upholstery, 8.0-inch Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system, all-terrain tyres on black 17-inch alloy wheels, black sports bars, black wing mirrors and a black grille.

‘Wolftrak’ logos are scattered around both the exterior and interior for some extra visual effect.

Just two colours are offered on the Wolftrak; Conquer Grey and Sea Grey.

If all these cosmetic enhancements sound and look familiar, that’s because they’re effectively the same ones (save for the 17-inch wheels) applied to the locally offered Ranger FX4; a variant that’s surfaced plenty of times in recent years.

Rebranding the FX4 as the Wolftrak would help inject an extra bit of exclusivity into the range while helping differentiate variants from one another… not to mention the sheer marketing appeal of ‘Wolftrak’ and ‘Tremor’, which both sound a lot cooler than FX4 and FX4 Max.

carsales has contacted Ford Australia for comment on the trademark filings, but like most brands the Blue Ovals’ local division usually remains tight-lipped on its future products.