Skip advert
Advertisement

2016 Ford Ranger debuts at Frankfurt show

Ford's facelifted Ranger pick-up range set to arrive in early 2016, with design changes, active safety tech and increased efficiency

Ford's next Ranger has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show ahead of its UK release in early 2016, and the facelifted model gets a completely new front-end to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range. The pick-up also gets a raft of new cabin and safety tech, while the engine range is updated to boost efficiency. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Far from just a minor nip-and-tuck at the front, the VW Amarok rival has been totally redesigned so it now sports the family face shared with the rest of Ford's range. Gone are the straight-edged grille and curved headlamps, replaced with the firm's trapezoidal grille and sharper-looking light units. The changes are far more subtle at the side and rear, where only new tail-lights mark out the facelifted versions.

Best pick-ups to buy now

Most of Ford's effort has gone on updating the Ranger's cabin to create an  "even more comfortable, contemporary and car-like environment" than before. Alongside better quality materials, there's now tech galore as the firm's latest 'Sync 2' eight-inch touchscreen nav and infotainment system makes its way into the Ranger.

There's also a smart new instrument design with dual information screens either side of the dials. New safety and assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, front and rear park assist, forward alert and hill-descent control, appear for the first time. It even gets a handy 240-volt power socket for charging laptops and the like.

The Ford Ranger engine range gets a few tweaks, with the 198bhp 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder diesel engine receiving efficiency modifications to cut fuel consumption by 18 per cent. The lesser 158bhp 2.2-litre unit gets similar tweaks, while the base 128bhp model improves its mpg figure by 22 per cent. 

In part, the efficiency improvements come courtesy of a new electric power steering system, standard start/stop and longer gear ratios. Ford has also retuned the suspension for better handling and ride, while more sound-deadening features are also dropped in. 

This hasn't impacted on the Ranger's legendary off-road and towing ability, as the truck still gets a proper low-range gearbox, switchable four-wheel drive and a locking rear-differential. It can wade through 800mm of water, while it is capable of towing a 3,500kg load. 

The Ranger is a popular model for Ford globally, and is in offer in 180 world markets. Europeans aren't traditionally big adopters of large pick-ups for non-commercial use, yet the current Ranger increased in popularity by 40 per cent last year compared with 2013. 

Check out our round-up of the best pick-ups currently on sale...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best Ford cars: our favourite new Fords and all-time greats
Best Ford Cars - header

Best Ford cars: our favourite new Fords and all-time greats

Want to know which new Fords are worth your attention when you head to the showroom? Read on to find out
Best cars & vans
12 Mar 2025
Best snow cars 2025
Best snow cars - header image

Best snow cars 2025

Don’t get caught out in extreme conditions this winter. We’ve picked 10 showroom buys that should keep you safe
Best cars & vans
6 Jan 2025
Best used tow cars 2025
Best used tow cars - header image

Best used tow cars 2025

Navigating the used tow car market? These top contenders are well worth a look…
Best cars & vans
11 Nov 2024
New Ford Ranger EV will be a ‘game changer’ when it arrives in 2027
Ford Ranger PHEV plugged in to charger

New Ford Ranger EV will be a ‘game changer’ when it arrives in 2027

We can expect Ford’s mid-size electric pickup to launch in the next few years
News
1 Nov 2024

Most Popular

New Citroen Holidays 2025 review: a cheaper and cheerful VW California campervan rival
Citroen Holidays - front

New Citroen Holidays 2025 review: a cheaper and cheerful VW California campervan rival

The new Citroen Holidays is the perfect option for those that want to camp on a budget
Road tests
15 Apr 2025
Carbon fibre could be banned as EU classifies it as a hazardous substance
Czinger teases 21C's carbon fibre bodywork

Carbon fibre could be banned as EU classifies it as a hazardous substance

Particulates emitted by the disposal of carbon fibre can be harmful to both machinery and human health
News
14 Apr 2025
How green are electric cars? The truth about EV environmental impact and carbon footprints
Polestar 3 - front full width

How green are electric cars? The truth about EV environmental impact and carbon footprints

New figures from Polestar cast light on the big questions around EV sustainability and environmental impact compared to petrol cars
News
15 Apr 2025