2015 Ford Ranger Wildtrak Unveiled For Thailand: First Look At The New Range-Topper

Having teased us several times already, once even with the 3.2L XLT, Sime Darby Auto Connexion is certainly due to launch its facelifted 2015 Ford Ranger on our shores any time soon.

We’ve seen what the base models are expected to look like in the past, but now, Ford Thailand has become the first market to show off what the range-topping Ford Ranger Wildtrak will look like.

Tough, sophisticated and sporty, are the most common words used to describe the new Ranger Wildtrak in Ford Thailand’s official media release, and we don’t disagree.

Exterior Styling:

Starting from the exterior, there are several unique items here that don’t appear on the regular Ranger facelift line-up, particularly the Wildtrak’s unique bold trapezoidal grille with strong outboard nostrils that’s finished in a dark, liquid metallic grey.

The “dark, liquid metallic grey” colour has been extended to the side mirrors, door handles, side air vents, bed rails and tail lamps as well. Even the Wildtrak’s signature orange body colour has been tweaked, and termed now as a “Pride Orange.” Other body colours include: Cool White, Black Mica, Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Grey

Speaking about the new Wildtrak’s design, Trevor Worthington, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific said, “The new Wildtrak takes the Ford Ranger to the next level with an aggressive exterior, a premium, sporty, interior, the latest Driver Assist Technologies and capabilities that ensure it’s up for any adventure. Building on the bolder, smarter and more refined new Ranger, the new Wildtrak is a perfect fit for customers who want to combine genuine 4x4 capabilities with stand-out styling and premium features.”

Other unique exterior features of the Wildtrak include rectangular fog lamps, a sports hoop, machined 18-inch alloy wheels, and various Wildtrak graphics located throughout.

Interior Design & Tech:

The orange upholstery and stitching along with various other interior design touches here are all utilised the way they are to re-create a sort of car-like interior for the ‘sophisticated yet adventurous’ Wildtrak, says Ford.

Also unique here is the “shadow chrome” smoky finishing you’ll spot around the air-vents, on the steering wheel trim, door handles etc.

To further boost the car-like appeal, Ford has included its second-gen SYNC 2 car infotainment and connectivity feature, along with an eight-inch touchscreen display screen on the dash.

There’s no shortage of segment-breaking tech either, because everything that we listed out for you during the facelifted Ford Ranger’s debut in Bangkok, has been squeezed in to the Wildtrak you see here. That includes its Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Aid, Forward Collision Alert and more.

Performance & Powertrain:

Powering the new Wildtrak in Thailand will be choice of Ford’s mighty 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel Duratorq engine, producing 200PS and 470Nm of torque or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-pot Duratorq which makes 160PS and 385Nm of torque.

In Malaysia, we've only had the Wildtrak equipped with the 3.2-litre oil burner, which if the trend continues, is a good thing for us because while the numbers look unchanged, Ford has updated that Duratorq engine’s exhaust gas recirculation system, which in return has improved fuel efficiency over the previous engine by up to 18 percent.

Ford is also keen to remind us of the Ranger’s true “go-anywhere” attitude, which is a result of the vehicle’s various features such as its class-leading 800mm deep water wading capability, and its 230mm ground clearance. There’s also a robust electronically-controlled transfer case allows drivers in 4x4 models to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high with a knob on the centre console.

Coming To Malaysia?

Yes, the 2015 Ford Ranger facelift, including the Wildtrak you see here, is expected to make their Malaysian debuts before the end of the year. From our last conversions with an informed source, we understand that only three diesel-powered version of the car will launch here.

In the meantime, do check out our coverage of the new Ford Ranger's global debut here.