The latest Ford Ranger was only unveiled in 2022, but that hasn’t stopped Ford from freshening up its brochure with a pair of new trim levels. They’re called Wildtrak X and Tremor – and both were designed for serious off-road adventuring. Both new specifications of the pickup truck are available to order now with first deliveries expected to arrive in August 2023.
The Ranger Wildtrak X uses the Wildtrak model as its starting point. That means you get the same body-coloured bumpers, heated steering wheel and driver assistance technology – but there’s a new suspension system which increases the pick-up’s ride height by 26mm and broadens its track width by 30mm. Ford says the changes have made the Ranger better off-road.
The suspension tweaks are complemented by an uprated power-steering system, a heavy-duty steel bash plate and a snazzy piece of off-road driver assistance tech called Trail Turn Assist. It uses brake-based torque vectoring to tighten the Ranger’s turning circle by as much as 25 percent off-road, by making the chassis work a bit like a skid-steer loader.
You get a few cosmetic tweaks, too, such as a new black grille surround, a butch H-bar, wider black wheel arch trims and a black rear bumper. The changes are rounded off with a set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in all-terrain tyres – and, if you’ve got a bit of spare cash rattling around in your account you pay a bit extra for Ford’s Matrix LED headlights.
The Wildtrak X is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine producing 204hp and 500Nm of torque. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel drive system. There’s even a new automatic terrain response system which Ford says can deliver the right level of off-road capability without the driver needing to fiddle with drivetrain settings.
What about the new Ford Ranger Tremor?
The Tremor is based on the mid-range Ford Ranger XLT – and it features the same suspension upgrades, the same engine and the same four-wheel drive system as the Wildtrak X. So, what’s the difference? Functionality. The Tremor is more of a work truck.
On the outside, there are tough cast aluminium side steps and exposed tow-hooks on the front bumper, which should make the process of dragging one of your mates out of a muddy water splash much easier. Moving inside, the floor and seats have been trimmed with water-resistant vinyl, so it’ll be simple to muck out after a long day of mud-plugging.
You can also optionally specific the Tremor with a panel of six pre-wired auxiliary switches for items like LED light bars and winches. The panel was lifted from the barnstorming Ranger Raptor and is mounted in the headliner, just behind the rear-view mirror.
Anything else that I should know about?
As it happens, there is. Ford can sell you the Ranger Wildtrak X and Ranger Tremor with its fancy new Flexible Rack System. See that black roll-over hoop behind the pick-up’s cabin? It’s adjustable and can be slid backwards along the bed rails to make it easier to transport long items.
Ford used a surfboard as an example – but we can see the racking system being particularly useful for transporting wood, piping or scaffolding boards. You simply slide the hoop back to the desired setting, throw whatever you need to carry on top (balancing it between the roof rack atop the cabin and the bar atop the hoop) and strap it down.
Another benefit is, because you’re carrying your long items on the roof rather than wedging them between the cabin and the tailgate, you can keep using the Ranger’s load bed to transport other items like tools. Buyers can also specify the racking system as an optional extra on the cheaper Ranger Limited and Wildtrak.
What if I want my pick-up to be posher?
Ford has you covered. In late 2022, it launched a luxury version of the Ranger called Platinum. It features quilted and electrically adjustable leather seats with heating and cooling functions, maple wood trim on the dash, a full digital dashboard and a 12-inch portrait infotainment screen with Ford’s latest Sync 4A software.
There are a few exterior tweaks, too, such as a model-specific grille (with chrome inserts), a chrome trim piece under the front H-bar, standard fit roof rails, privacy glass and a soft-close tailgate. Oh yes, and you get a set of suitably blingin’ 20-inch alloy wheels.
To protect your investment, there’s also some more standard safety equipment over the Wildtrak model, including park assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera. So, you’ve no excuse if you reverse it into a bollard.
Tell me about the Ford Ranger’s engine choices
We’ve already covered the 204hp 2.0-litre diesel unit above. However, there’s a cheaper 170hp version of the same 2.0-litre diesel engine available on entry-level versions of the Ranger. It also features four-wheel drive, but it ditches the more powerful model’s 10-speed automatic gearbox for a less expensive six-speed manual.
There’s also a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine (pinched from the larger F-150) available on the Wildtrak and Platinum trims. It produces 240hp and a stonking 600Nm of torque. Ford started offering the unit on the Ranger after its customers complained that the 204hp 2.0-litre diesel wasn’t strong enough for ‘towing heavy loads and extreme off-roading.’
If that’s still not enough power for you, you can always opt for the Ranger Raptor. It features a twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine with 292hp and 491Nm of torque. You’ll sacrifice some payload capacity if you go for this model, but you’ll gain an arsenal of off-road technology that’ll let you cover rough terrain at speeds normally reserved for hovercrafts. Check out our review of the Ford Ranger Raptor for more information.
What are the biggest changes to the Ranger’s design?
The bodywork is completely new – and it draws lots of inspiration from Ford’s larger American pick-ups. The biggest changes include a fresh, boxy shape and a new ‘C-clamp’ front lighting signature, which was borrowed from the F-150.
Underneath, it features an upgraded version of the previous Ranger’s ladder frame chassis. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a quick re-hash, though. Ford’s upgrades included a 50mm longer wheelbase and 50mm increase in track width, both of which promise to improve the driving experience.
Other details include the hydro-formed front-end structure, which creates more space in the engine bay. This not only improves airflow to the radiator, helping to keep the powertrain cool when heavily loaded or towing, it also makes room for the new 3.0-litre V6 engine – and ‘helps future-proof the Ranger for other propulsion technologies.’
Ford has been tight-lipped about these ‘other propulsion technologies’ but, at the very least, we’re expecting some form of hybrid powertrain. Our money’s on a plug-in hybrid system. We wouldn’t rule out a fully electric pick-up variant, either.
What’s the new Ford Ranger like inside?
Loaded with technology. The most basic model features a 10.1-inch infotainment system, while more expensive variants gain a 12.0-inch system – and both are portrait-oriented. Buyers can also specify a digital gauge cluster for the first time.
The infotainment system runs on Ford’s latest Sync 4A software which gives buyers access to a host of remote features, including remote-start, remote-lock and even the ability to turn on the exterior lights to help with working in the dark.
Higher-specification automatic models also get a new ‘e-shifter’ instead of a mechanical lever or rotary dial to engage drive – which has apparently gone down well in customer clinics – and there’s an electronic parking brake in place of the old manual one.
There are lots of storage options, too, and the rear seats in double cab models now fold flat so the back of the cab can serve as an additional load space.
What’s innovative about the new Ford Ranger?
There are quite a few clever features built into the Ranger’s design. Behind the rear wheels, for example, there’s a step in the bodywork so you can reach into the load space without standing on the tyre. That’s neat – and it’s safer than perching on a muddy wheel.
Similar to the smaller Ford Maverick truck revealed earlier in 2021, there’s a ‘cargo management system’ with slots moulded into the bed liner that allows you to divide the load space to transport different items.
Furthermore, you can add a ‘tailgate work surface’ with a built-in ruler, mobile device holder, cupholders and pencil holder. Every tailgate also comes with ‘clamp pockets’ for securely holding materials for cutting. Protective capping prevents damage to the stop surfaces of the load box, too.
Better yet, the increase in width means the Ranger can now carry a full-size pallet or transport sheet plywood flat. A 400w power inverter is available to deliver AC power via an outlet in the load area, too, while twin-battery capability helps serve leisure (camping) and working demands for extra juice. In all, more than 150 accessories will be available from launch.
How much does the new Ford Ranger cost?
Prices start from £28,275 for the cheapest XL trim in single cab format, while the entry-level double cab model will set you back £29,800 (both excluding VAT). Moving up the range, the XLT starts at £31,150, the Wildtrak at £39,350 and the Platinum will cost you £44,400.
Ford hasn’t yet confirmed prices for the new Wildtrak X and Tremor models, but we know all the details on the flagship Ranger Raptor variant. Prices start from £56,500 for the diesel model and £58,900 for the petrol model. Bear in mind that both of those figures are including VAT. Because the Raptor can’t carry a tonne payload, it isn’t eligible for commercial vehicle tax breaks.
