The Ford Ranger Platinum nets a Flexible Rack system in its bed and climate-controlled seats in its cabin.
While pickup trucks may still be perceived by many as the most macho thing on the road today, anyone who has driven any of the current offerings will know that these once-utilitarian workhorses have since become SUVs with a cargo bed out the back. Though there is nevertheless always room for improvement on the luxury front, as Ford has recently showcased with its newly revealed Ranger Platinum.
Making its ASEAN debut in Malaysia, this new spec of Ranger arrives evoking a similar level of luxury as seen in the similarly-named F-150 variant. And all that starts with this particular Ford pickup netting a classier look, courtesy of Silk Chrome exterior trim, a unique grille and Platinum badging on its hood.
Setting itself apart from the rest of the pickup trucks too are the first-in-class standard fitment of auto dynamic levelling Matrix LED headlights and LED taillights on this Ranger Platinum, which are then complimented by 20-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and a previously Everest-exclusive Equinox Bronze exterior hue. Though the properly impressive features on this Ford are to be found in its bed, with this particular variant debuting an ingenious Flexible Rack System and Swing-in-Place Roof Rails, which makes carrying long items with this pickup a breeze.
Essentially a sliding sport bar that locks into five different positions along the length of the load box, this Flexible Rack System is touted by Ford to be operable by one person and features a pop-up crossbar that increases the height of the loading platform to match the Swing-in-Place Roof Rails. The Swing-in-Place Roof Rails meanwhile, as the name suggests, features two removable bars that could be swung across the roof during the loading of these long items, can be adjusted to two different lengths, and then stored away again in the roof rails when not being used.
Aside from the Flexible Rack System and Swing-in-Place Roof Rails, the Ranger Platinum further nets a powered roller shutter for its bed, in addition to integrated gas struts in the tailgate to make opening and closing it a damped and civilised affair. There are also to be the usual 12V and 3-pin socket in the bed of this Ford pickup, just for that extra bit of usefulness.
Now moving on inside, the Ranger Platinum sets itself apart from other variants with its Everest-inspired dashboard that features a closed shelf and upper glovebox. Exclusive to this top-tier trim too are a first-in-class pair of heated & ventilated leather-upholstered front seats with 10-way electrical adjustment, in addition to trim-specific branding on said front seats and upper glovebox.
Other premium appointments within the cabin of the Ranger Platinum are Bang & Olufsen Premium Audio System, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-inch central infotainment screen with the latest SYNC 4A, a Qi wireless charging pad and interior ambient lighting. Predictably also, this top-tier pickup truck nets a bevy of active driver assist systems that brings with it adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring, lane change warning, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, evasive steer assist, and the Active Park Assist 2.0.
The Ranger Platinum is currently available exclusively in double cab specification, and is powered by Ford’s 2.0L twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel that outputs 210 PS and 500 Nm of torque. Said power is then delivered to all-four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission with e-shift and a part-time four-wheel drive system.
Prices for the Ranger Platinum starts from RM183,888 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM189,688 (on-the-road without insurance) over in East Malaysia. Its after-sales package includes a five-year/160,000 km manufacturer’s warranty, though Ford will also be more than happy to sell buyers an extended six-year or seven-year or up to 40,000km coverage with the Premium Care extended warranty package (EWP) and Extended Service Plan (ESP).
At the launch event at Bamboo Hills, Kuala Lumpur, from 3-5 November, customers who book the Ranger Platinum will receive a complimentary Xiaomi Phone Holder with automatic open and close feature will be given upon vehicle delivery. As a special bonus, customers will also receive a Ford Ranger Getaways Discount of RM1,000, which will be received via a promo code at the time of vehicle delivery.
