Story & Photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
FORD Philippines overhauled its own best-selling Ranger as it launches the new Ford Ranger FX4, making it the automotive company with the widest lineup of pickup trucks in the country with 13 available variants to boot.
The new Ranger FX4’s eye-catching design is instantly recognizable as it showcases its difference among the entire Ranger lineup. The unique 18-inch alloy wheels, new mesh grille, extended steel sports bar, and ebony black accents on side mirror caps, door handles, front and rear bumpers, and fender features give the Ranger FX4 a distinctive look and style. The standout decals along the lower doors and a 3D badge on its tailgate complement its attractive design.
Ford Philippines Managing Director PK Umashankar said “The new Ranger FX4 is a strong addition to our Ranger lineup as we continue to offer a variety of our ‘Built Ford Tough’ pickup trucks to consumers with different needs, budget and lifestyle, clearly signifying that there is indeed a Ford Ranger for everyone.”
On the inside, the Ranger FX4 retains its refined look with FX4-embossed leather seats, FX4-branded floor mats, sporty dark environment highlighted by race red stitching accents on the soft top instrument panel, center console, gear shifter and door trims.
The Ranger FX4 is also equipped with features that enhance the driving experience for both drivers and passengers, as it offers entertainment through an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, including a new 8-inch full color touchscreen.
It is also packed with driver-assistance technologies that include Cruise Control, Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing wipers, Power Folding Mirrors and Electronic Power Assist Steering, collectively bringing in comfort, safety and convenience in every drive.
The new Ranger FX4 is powered by their proven 2.2-liters Duratorq diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, delivering an impressive 160PS and 385 N-m of torque.
Ford also held its first leg of the Ranger FX4 experiential test drive from January 24 to 26, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, in Pasay City. During the three-day event, customers had the chance to test drive the new Ranger, and other Ford vehicles on the specialized driving course that will showcase the vehicles’ best-in-class features and capabilities.
Starting on January 23,2020, the new Ranger FX4 is available in Ford dealerships nationwide with a retail price of just P1.256 million for the 4×2 manual variant and P1.316 million for the 4×2 automatic variant. It comes in five colors—Absolute Black, Aluminum Metallic, Arctic white, Meteor Grey and True Red.
The new Ford Ranger FX4 boasts a bold design inside out and features that will help widen the appeal of the Ranger among costumers seeking for a versatile and capable pickup trucks.
But aside from the new Ranger FX4, Ford Philippines is also introducing a series of enhancements and upgrades to its entire lineup.
Ranger XLS and XLT variants now come with a new eight-inch LCD touchscreen radios with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Capability. The Ranger XLS Sport 4×2 A/T variant is now available to those looking at the XLS range.
Meanwhile, Ranger Wildtrak 4×2 variants now have a new wheel design and LED headlamps. The Wildtrak 4×4 also has a new wheel design, LED headlamps, camera-based Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection and high-mount USB feature to support various dashcam models.
The top end Ranger Raptor now also comes with a camera-based Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, high-mount USB and LED headlamps.
“We have gone further in our pickup truck lineup by bringing more value to our customers with enhanced technology and content in all our Ranger products while retaining current pricing-more value at the same price. With the widest price brand and higher value for our pickup trucks, there is indeed a Ranger for everyone in the Philippines” Umashankar said.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo