The Ford Ranger has once again been spotted in the wild, this time in Thailand where the Australian-market Ranger ute is manufactured.
The pictures provide a better look of the front apron of the car for the first time, which prominently displays large C-shaped daytime running lights surrounding the central headlights (which are now stacked vertically).
The broad C-shaped daytime running lights are a big feature of the front end.
The final shape looks much like our in-house render of the new Ford Everest which features the same C-shaped DRL’s with the addition of an integrated light bar. Unfortunately, it seems the lighting strip won’t carry over to the production model.
The grille retains the split design look which still allows plenty of air to enter the engine bay.
At the side and the rear, the next Ranger is looking more muscled up than before. A new set of tail lights and new tailgate resemble what is found on the F-150 pick up.
The real question is: what will power the new Ranger?
Pictured in Thailand where the Ranger is built for Australia.
Earlier this month, Chasing Cars suggested that a six-cylinder diesel engine could be in the works for the higher spec versions of the Ford Ranger, to be shared with the next Volkswagen Amarok, which will share the heavily revised, Ford-led T6.2 Ranger chassis.
For ‘standard’ models, the current twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel unit is said to be the mainstay.
A possible plug-in hybrid system is also a possibility but again, nothing has yet been confirmed by Ford Australia.
The 2022 Ford Ranger ‘range’ on display with disguised wrap.
We might be waiting quite some time for a hybrid Ranger considering the Hilux is not likely to receive similar tech until 2025 or onwards.
The Ranger is slated to be a heavy facelift on the outgoing model but will remain on the same fundamental platform as before.
The Ford Ranger is expected to be fully revealed by the end of 2021 to go on sale early in 2022.