Next-gen Ford Ranger, next-gen tech

MANILA: Customers demand a pickup with a smart, functional interior and a high level of well-integrated technology, and Ford understands this. The next-generation Ranger is the smartest Ranger yet, with an improved user experience that allows owners to easily shift from their home or office to their vehicle.

With its customer-centric technology, the next-gen Ranger pushes the boundaries of what a smart vehicle should be, from the new-generation Sync 4A infotainment system, to large-format screens that function more like smartphones and digital instrument displays replacing analog clusters.

In a statement, Ford Ranger Vehicle Program Director Graham Pearson said, “Customers had an overwhelming response to the next-gen Ranger’s new interior design and the technologies our teams had integrated on the inside. Once again, Ranger will redefine the segment with a premium interior that clearly shows people don’t have to sacrifice interior comfort or technologies just because they desire a truck.”

The next-gen Ranger blends Ford’s newest connectivity and driving technology for a seamless connected experience whether customers are using their vehicle for work, family, or play.

An eight-inch color, customizable digital instrument panel provides the driver with more information compared to an analog system. It has a start-up and farewell animation, as well as a digital speedometer and tachometer.

Depending on the variant, owners can switch between layouts that display information such as driver-assist technology, tachometer on or off, and extra gauges. There is also a “calm view,” which hides information from the display when it is not needed.

Since the next-gen Ranger has on- and off-road driving modes, the instrument panel displays a different theme for each drive mode, with animated mode changes when the driver scrolls from one to the other.

The large-format, 10.1- or 12-inch infotainment screens, which feature Ford’s state-of-the-art aforementioned Sync 4A communication and entertainment system, have also helped clear up the dashboard.

“The new Sync 4A screens are a huge change for Ranger, and the addition of the latest-generation Sync 4A system delivers the sort of experience that customers expect from their smartphones. It’s got more computing power and better machine learning, and it’s more intuitive for users. More than that, we’ve been able to declutter the dashboard and make accessing vehicle settings both easier and quicker,” Sync Application Engineer George Christopoulos stated.

The Sync 4A system provides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. It also features the most up-to-date navigation features.

There is a configurable split-screen layout with an information-on-demand panel at the bottom of the screen. It displays key information, such as the user’s connected smartphone.

The team agreed on a large-format tablet screen because it enables clear navigation while still leaving room at the bottom for climate and entertainment controls.

Many of the standard driving mode controls have been placed on their own specialized display on the Sync screen, away from the center console.

For instance, drivers can move the Ranger’s off-road screen with a single button click to monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, roll angles, and other settings. The Sync screen may be used to control the cabin climate and entertainment, with additional physical controls positioned right below the screen for quick adjustments.

The screen is also connected to a 360-degree camera to help with parking in tight spaces or navigating, particularly tough terrain. For further assurance, the technology allows the driver to see what is ahead of or behind the vehicle, as well as a top-down view of the area surrounding the vehicle, including blind spots.

For a more high-tech experience, the team equipped the higher variants of the next-gen Ranger with short-throw e-shifter and electric parking brake. This upgrade not only improves driver accessibility, but it also opens up the possibility of more advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Occupants can also use a charging pad at the base of the center console to keep their smartphone wirelessly charged and connected to Sync system. Smartphones can also be charged via a USB port or the 12V/240V outlets and the 400W inverter that provide power to the box.

The team also put a high-mounted USB outlet alongside the rearview mirror as more and more drivers are using dash cams. This Type-A USB outlet converts 12V power to 5V USB power and is intended for use with an external GPS or dash camera.

The next-gen Ranger also features full LED lighting for both the front and rear, as well as available segment-first matrix LED headlights.

These model-specific matrix LED headlights come with a slew of intelligent features, like auto dynamic leveling and speed-dependent lighting that can adjust the intensity of the beam in front of the vehicle based on the speed. The headlights also have glare-free high-beams as well as static and dynamic bending capabilities, which help block light that could temporarily blind other drivers and cyclists.

The next-gen Ranger also comes with a new climate control system with a compressor that features variable-stroke technology. By reducing compressor cycling and engine load, this technology improves refinement while also increasing fuel efficiency. Occupants can access the climate controls through SYNC 4A or hard buttons at the bottom of the screen. A new sensor can also assess cabin temperature and humidity and immediately modify modes and blower speeds to keep the interior cozy in all weather conditions. Rear console-mounted registers are now available for both automatic and manual systems, allowing rear passengers to enjoy a more comfortable ride.

Photo from Ford

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