FORD

Ranger FX4 2023 wants to repeat the success of the Black and Storm versions in the Brazilian market

Ford recently expanded the Ranger line with the Black and Storm versions, which were very well received by the market. Now, it launches the Ranger FX4, a new pick-up option inspired by the same successful recipe. Made for consumers who want a robust and exclusive off-road pick-up truck without giving up the refinement and comfort of a top of the line, it starts being sold this week at the brand's dealerships - see the video below.

FX4 continues Ranger's strategy of expansion and diversification, with options developed to meet different customer profiles - the so-called market sub-segmentation. In addition to leading this trend, the Ford midsize pick-up has made important achievements in recent years, with growth both in the segment's sales share and in quality and customer satisfaction indicators.

“Ford is a world leader in pick-ups, this is our territory, and we are using this legacy to expand Ranger’s customer base with new options within the portfolio,” says Marcel Bueno, Director of Marketing, Ford South America. . “Consumer behavior is changing and we have identified customers who were not fully served by the vehicles on the market. That's how the Ranger FX4 was born.”

First in the industry to launch the 2023 line, Ranger also brings other news. All models - XL, XLS, Black, Storm, FX4, XLT, and Limited - come with a new emission control system that meets and exceeds the requirements of the Proconve 7, without loss of power and engine performance. Ford was also the first to announce the full application of the 2% IPI reduction on all its vehicles.

New customer profile...The Ford Ranger now has versions for work (XL), for mixed use (XLS) and for personal use (Black, Storm, XLT and Limited). This last group is divided into two customer profiles: those looking for sophistication (Black, XLT and Limited) or adventure (Storm).

“Ranger Storm meets the customer who wants robustness and style for off-road use, without bothering to give up some equipment to have a better cost-benefit. After its launch, we identified that there is also a customer with the same adventurous profile, but who demands more refinement, technology and comfort. It was for him that we developed the Ranger FX4”, says Antonio Freitas, Ford Pick-up Marketing Manager.

This group of clients, according to him, is made up of trailblazers and enthusiasts who like to explore new places and travel with their families, always in contact with nature. “They prefer to keep great experiences in memory rather than souvenirs on the shelf,” he says.

The name FX4 began to be used by Ford in the early 2000s to identify the off-road package of its pick-ups - formed by the combination of Ford and 4x4. Over time, he also identified versions with special performance and style attributes.

Complete and connected...The Ranger FX4 is a super sporty, equipped and elegant pick-up made for the customer looking for sophistication and a high level of capability for their off-road adventures. It comes with the strongest engine in the line, the Duratorq 3.2 turbodiesel with power of 200 hp and torque of 470 Nm, automatic transmission, electric steering, 4x4 traction and locking rear differential.

The new pollutant reduction system that equips all Ranger 2023 models significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, exceeding the legal requirements of Proconve 7 by more than 70%, in addition to doubling the interval between particulate filter regenerations. It protects the environment without loss of engine power and torque, using Arla 32 liquid reagent, which is easily found at Ford dealerships and gas stations. Filled in a tank with a capacity of 20 liters, it allows driving from 10,000 to 14,000 km under normal conditions, with a cost of less than 0.01 reais per kilometer driven.

The Ranger FX4's improved suspension system, similar to the Storm version, is another differential that contributes to the pick-up's exceptional dynamic behavior and handling, whether empty or loaded and in different terrain conditions.

Its safety package includes seven airbags, AdvanceTrac system with electronic stability and traction control, anti-rollover and adaptive load control, hill start assistant, automatic downhill control, reversing camera and rear parking sensor.

Among the comfort items, the pick-up offers dual-zone digital air conditioning, driver's seat with lumbar and electric adjustment, rain sensor, panel with two LCD screens, SYNC multimedia center with 8.0-inch screen, access to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and bucket lid closing assistant.

Like the entire Ranger line, the FX4 also has the FordPass Connect connectivity system, with commands and remote vehicle information via cell phone. With it, it is possible to remotely start and climate the cabin, check the autonomy, odometer and tire pressure, lock and unlock doors, receive alarm and operating alerts and locate the pickup, in addition to scheduling services at the brand's dealerships and accessing the owner's manual.

Exquisite and unique...The Ranger FX4 has an aggressive and highly capable look, with muscular, robust surfaces that share the same Strong Breed DNA seen on the F-150 and Maverick. Its style is also marked by accent colors in black that value sportiness, combining matte and shiny parts in the right dose to create an elegant and exclusive design.

“The FX4 also stands out for what it doesn't have. In other words, it does not have chrome, diamond wheels or details in the color of the car, because it is a different recipe from traditional luxury. It is an adventurous version that values ​​sportiness and elegance with an exclusive package”, explains Ricardo Sugimoto, Ford Design Supervisor.

The uniquely designed front grille features the brand's oval logo highlighted in the center. As well as the lower central part of the bumper, it has a glossy black finish, and connects to the dark mask headlights forming a harmonious whole. Full-LED headlights with projectors are exclusive to the version.

The rear features an embossed red FX4 badge and the Ranger name in large all-black letters - another unique feature in the range. The lanterns have a darkened mask. The rear bumper, as well as the mirrors and door handles, are in gloss black.

The tubular sling, exclusive and functional, has anchoring points for mooring equipment. On the side, the matte black fender flares are designed to handle off-road rocks. The gray stripe in the lower region of the doors, just above the platform-style running boards, is complemented by the FX4 signature in red.

The 18-inch wheels have a unique look and are shod with Pirelli Scorpion 265/60 R18 All Terrain tires (50% on-road and 50% off-road). Those who want to tackle heavier trails can opt for the 17-inch wheels with 265/65 R17 All Terrain Plus tires in the Storm version, for an additional cost of 2,000 reais.

As accessories, the Ranger FX4 offers a snorkel specially designed for it, which increases the safety margin when crossing water slides - with a depth of up to 800 mm, the largest in the category. There are also bucket organizer boxes with 42 liters and key, very useful for transporting small equipment and purchases.

The interior of the new pick-up is equally refined and exclusive, including premium leather seats with red stitching and the FX4 emblem embossed on the backrests. The same finish is seen on the gearshift lever and the center armrest. Another detail that draws attention is the application with a glossy dark finish on the dashboard in front of the passenger, on the steering wheel and on the frames of the internal handles.

The Ranger FX4 arrives for 288,990 reais, the same price as the XLT version, with the IPI reduction, so that the consumer can choose between the two models according to their needs. It is available in six selected colors, with on-trend shades such as Tuscan Red and Bari Red, and more traditional ones: Frost Silver, Arctic White, Welsh Black and Moscow Grey.

“Compared to the closest competitors in terms of price and equipment, the Ranger FX4 is the most complete, with exclusive equipment in terms of style, performance, comfort, safety and technology. It was designed to be very competitive in its proposal”, highlights Antonio Freitas.

Advancement in quality...The Ranger was the model that grew the most in market share among the average pick-ups from 2012 to 2021. In an extremely competitive segment, it advanced no less than 62% and reached 15.2% of sales. Another trend that has gained strength in the line is the personal use of the pick-up, which has increased from 47% to 60% in the last three years. The launch of the urban version Ranger Black and the adventurer Ranger Storm contributed significantly to this growth.

Over the past two years, Ranger has delivered best-in-class quality indicators, according to industry-standard research that tracks the number of vehicle failures consumers report. This also raised the percentage of very satisfied customers, with 71% rating the pickup a 9 or 10. The five-year warranty is another factor that reinforces confidence in the product.

“This quality gain is very important and serves as a foundation for Ranger's other achievements. It reflects the commitment of our marketing and engineering teams to listening to and meeting customer needs for continuous product improvement,” says Gilmar de Paula, Chief Engineer, Ranger, Ford South America.

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