FORD ANNOUNCE RANGER FX4 MAX

Expanding the off-road capability of the Ranger family, Ford will add the ’FX4 MAX’ to the Australian lineup later this year.

Offering features and finishes inspired by the Ranger Raptor, the Ranger FX4 MAX brings lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, bespoke alloy wheels, special side steps and sports bar, new colour options and a Raptor-style grille.

“The Ranger FX4 MAX channels the Ranger Raptor with its unique look and stance, while bringing customers both work and play capability with its locally engineered suspension, chassis tuning and unique FOX Shocks,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.

The key upgrade over the FX4 is the increased ride height and wider stance delivered by the suspension upgrade and new wheel and tyre package. The wheels are FX4 MAX-exclusive 17 x 8-inch alloys, with a +42mm offset that increases track width by 26mm.

Fitting of new 2.0-inch Fox shocks front and rear, with remote reservoir units at the back, lifts the ride height by 20mm. Combined with the standard 32-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres for this model, overall ride height is increased by 31mm compared to the Ranger XLT, with total ground clearance of 256mm. Approach and departure angles are improved, too, to 31 degrees and 23 degrees, respectively.

There’s new profile steering knuckles, new front jounce bumpers and a 29mm front stabilizer bar, while retuning of the front and rear suspension provides increased compliance off-road and better payload and towing capabilities.

Ford says the FX4 MAX’s suspension tune was developed here in Australia, with specific testing conducted around the country and at Ford’s You Yangs Proving Ground.

The FX4 MAX runs the same drivetrain as the Ranger Raptor – a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel four-cylinder producing 157kW and 500Nm, matched to a 10-speed automatic and dual-range four-wheel drive system.

Where the FX4 MAX wins out compared to the Raptor is in hauling and towing, with a 981kg payload and 3500kg towing capacity (748kg and 2500kg on the Raptor).

Inside, there’s exclusive seat trim, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, Raptor pedals, ‘Black Alley’ black detailing on the doors, steering wheel and dash, plus a Ranger first in the form of a dash-mounted auxiliary switchbank that makes for easier incorporation of accessories like winches and light bars. With this in mind, the alternator has been upgraded, too.

The FX4 MAX gets the FordPass Connect embedded modem that’s being rolled out across the Ranger range, and like the rest of the current lineup, the FX4 MAX boasts a high level of standard safety equipment, including AEB with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, ESC, EBD, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control, Forward Collision Warning and a full suite of airbags. While it’s yet to be ANCAP tested, the FX4 MAX should receive the maximum 5-star safety rating.