Ford rounds up extra tech for Ranger

FORD has introduced a model year upgrade for its Australian-engineered Ranger ute range, that ups the connectivity and safety tech offerings in some variants.

All pick-up versions of the Ranger, except the XL Plus, will now be offered with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors as standard.

The camera was previously only standard on the Wildtrak and available through an optional $1100 Tech Pack in other variants, a decision local Ford management were criticised for at the launch of the Ranger in August last year.

Front parking sensors and the new Sync3 connectivity system with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto are now standard on the high-grade XLT, which also picks up black foglight bezels.

As well as the camera and rear sensors XL variants (excluding XL Plus) are now offered with an automatic transmission for the 4X4 XL Super Cab Chassis 3.2L which was previously only offered with a manual gearbox.

In range-topping Wildtrak guise, the Ranger adds Sync3 – replacing Sync2 – as well as a suite of active safety gear including Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Alert, Driver Impairment Monitor, automatic high beam control, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning.

Ford has not yet announced if pricing will be affected by the model year upgrade.

The blue oval says its Ranger will also feature a “minor powertrain upgrade” to bring it up to Euro 5 emissions standards.

Sync3 changes include an upgraded 8.0-inch with swipe and pinch control capability, more user friendly settings and preferences, access to apps such as Pandora and Spotify and a new home screen with a clearer layout.

Premium exterior paint colour Black Mica is dropped in favour of Jet Black, while Metropolitan Grey is out, and is replaced by Meteor Grey.

Ford Australia CEO and president Graeme Whickman said the additions to the Ranger line-up should help close the sales gap to the dominant Toyota HiLux which is leading the Ford by 310 units year to date for 4x4 sales.

“Standard new features such as rear view camera and Sync3 will help our customers get more done at work while staying better connected to their lives,” he said.

“These innovations combined with Ranger’s unsurpassed towing and hauling capability will help continue Ranger’s momentum as we continue closing the gap on HiLux.

“In particular, Australians are being drawn especially to the XLT and Wildtrak variants, which now account for 62 per cent of all Ranger’s sold this year, up from 51 per cent in 2014.”