The all-new 2022 Ford Ranger has broke cover in Thailand. Billed as the smaller sibling of the Ford F-150, the Ranger now boasts a bold new design, updated platform as well as new powerplant options for certain markets.

Although its a new-generation model, the 2022 Ranger is underpinned by a modified platform of the outgoing Ford Ranger. 

According to Ian Foston, Chief platform engineer, “The next-generation Ranger will be built on the third-generation T6 platform – a modular, flexible architecture that supports body on frame products sold around the world, that apart from the Ranger, includes the Everest and Ford Bronco.”

“In fact, the T6 is the first mid-size pickup platform in the world to be used for so many vehicles in so many different global markets. No other company to date has managed to produce the bandwidth of variants from a single body-on-frame architectural platform than we have.”

“We’ve moved the wheels forward for a better approach angle, and outboard for better off-road articulation – both of which improve the off-roading experience. Another change is shifting the suspension outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride.”

Besides the repositioning the wheels, the Ranger’s track and wheelbase have been increased by 50 mm respectively over the existing Ford Ranger, improving the Ranger’s overall footprint.

Though exact power figures have yet to be released, the next-gen Ranger will offer an expanded choice of three diesel engines and one petrol. A new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine will join the ranks alongside 2.0-litre single-turbo and bi-turbo powerplants.

It’s much the same for the transmission, which likely will carryover the previous generation’s 10-speed automatic.

The biggest changes of the 2022 Ranger are noticeably on the outside.

Drawing inspiration from the larger Ford F-150, the Ranger now features a bold front new grille with its C-Clamp headlights, daytime running lights, and  horizontal upper grille bar.

Along the flanks, the Ranger has been reprofiled with large wheel arches and a prominent shoulder line that now flows from the front to the rear of the pickup.

At the rear, the tailgate is now etched with a large ‘Ranger’ script, whereas the taillight follow the same C-Clamp light graphics as the front.

Through an extensive customer survey program, Ford gained valuable insight to see how their customers use their Rangers, to learn how best to improve the Ranger – one such development is the new integrated box side-step, designed to provide easy access towards the side of the truckbed.

On the inside, the 2022 Ranger features a thoroughly redesigned dashboard. In addition to a new layout, there is additional use of soft-touch materials for a more premium cabin feel.

The seats also have been redesigned, with new bolsters and foam inserts that are claimed to be more comfortable. Elsewhere, the second-row seats can now be folded flat.

Rear occupants also have heating and cooling outlets at the rear of the center console, as well as additional storage area in the door pockets both in the front and back.

The major highlight is centrally-mounted high-resolution touchscreen (offered in 10.1-inch or 12-inch sizes) that compliments a new digital instrument cluster.

Another new item is the short-throw, shift-by-wire ‘e-shifter’ for its automatic transmission.

The next-gen Ranger will be built at Ford’s plants in Rayong, Thailand and Pretoria, South Africa beginning in 2022. Specific market launch dates and variant details will be announced in due time.

Also read: Spied: Few units of 2022 Ford Ranger spotted in Thailand, is one of them the next WildTrak?