With restrictions eased, the 2022 Hutchwilco Boat Show is back in full force and Ford NZ took the opportunity to take the silk off their next gen Ford Ranger. We nipped down there to take a look.
The New Zealand Boat Show has been held, under a variety of names, at the Auckland Showgrounds, every year but one since 1956, when it was first held as part of the 1956 Easter Show. (The 2020 had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown.)
Anyway, the Boat Show is back and as impressive as ever with everything you’d want to see as a boatie and then some. Boats of all shapes and sizes (even ones with wheels), Jet skis, fishing gear, chilly bins, even beds… the list goes on and on, but we were there to see the new ford Ranger.
Located on two stands, the Ford Stand EX26 (just inside the gate) and on the while the NZ Fishing News Media stand in Hall #1, stand 177, were three early production, display units for show attendees to see for the first time, including the Next-Generation Ranger Wildtrak, Sport and XLT.
“The excitement is certainly building for the Next-Gen Ranger,” said Simon Rutherford, Managing Director Ford New Zealand. “And we’re excited to be at The Boat Show for the first time. It’s an ideal event for the New Zealand public debut given the majority of our customers choose the Ranger due to its towing capabilities; for the trailer at the work site as well taking the boat to the beach.
“Its position as the number one new vehicle in New Zealand for more than seven years now comes down to its overall capability that matches the Kiwi lifestyle. With more than 3,000 orders already placed for the Next-Gen Ranger, we anticipate quite a few people making a special trip to the show just to see them,” added Rutherford.
New Zealanders have made the Ford Ranger the number one new vehicle in the country due to its best-in-class capability, technology, design and performance. The customer-centered design of the Next Generation Ranger takes it to a new level with a host of new innovative features throughout the truck, while a relentless testing and engineering program ensured every facet of the Ranger’s versatility was truly Built Ford Tough.
For those that buy a bout, the Next-Gen Ranger’s Tow/Haul mode is a brand-new drive mode and is designed for those towing or carrying a heavy load in their truck. Selecting Tow/Haul mode optimises the gear shift timing to maintain power when you’re climbing up a hill or deliver the right amount of engine braking when you’re travelling down a hill. Next-gen Ranger continues with a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg with a 350 kg tow ball download limit.
Continuing the towing theme, next-gen Ranger now features an integrated electric trailer brake controller, trailer connection checklist and trailer light check to simplify the process of hooking up your trailer.
For added peace of mind, Ranger’s BLIS® driver assistance technology will also allow for drivers to programme the size of their trailer for added coverage of their blind spots.
In addition to the selectable drive modes, next-gen Ranger boasts a dedicated off-road screen on the SYNC infotainment system. At the press of a button, owners can access the off-road SYNC screen, which shows driveline and diff lock settings, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles, as well as a front camera view with predictive overlay guidelines.
Ford says that their order books are filling fast with over 3,000 customers eager to get behind the wheel, PLUS demand for the new Raptor is at double the size of the original.
Why not head to the show and check them out yourself – it’s a fun expo for all the family.
