Ford Ranger FX4 MAX headed to showrooms

Ford says the first Ranger FX4 MAX will make its Australian debut in late 2020, delivering customers a new factory-built, fully warranted Ranger with extended off-road capabilities inspired by Ranger Raptor. With specialised suspension, an All-Terrain off-road tyre and wheel package and unique proud stance, Ford says ranger FX4 Max is a tough weekend off-roader with outstanding capability that maintains Ranger’s day-to-day comfort, safety, and practicality.

“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. “A factory-finished Ranger, FX4 MAX builds on the previous FX4 to deliver even greater off-road capability, yet adds its own distinctive style and genuine mechanical upgrades for a truly one-of-a-kind Ranger.”

Ford says Ranger FX4 MAX features a Ranger Raptor inspired exterior design, headlined with the Ford Performance-like FORD lettered front mesh grille with a distinctive dark grey surround, which is also used for the skid plate, exterior mirror caps, door handles, unique wheel arch mouldings and rear tray surrounds. Around the FX4 MAX, a full-length tubular sports bar, finished in matt black, incorporates in-tray lighting, while body-mounted metal ‘hoop’ side steps toughen the look and “emphasise FX4 MAX’s off-road attitude”.

The model’s specification includes an off-road suspension tune and 265/70R17 off-road ready tyres. The BF Goodrich All-Terrain K02 tyres, the same as fitted to the Ford Performance Ranger Raptor, provide outstanding traction on unsealed surfaces, and feature tougher sidewalls. They’re fitted to exclusive 17 by 8.0-inch alloy wheels, front and rear, for a +42mm offset and 26mm wider track. FX4 MAX also includes a matching full-size alloy spare, complete with all-terrain tyre.

The alloy wheels are finished in the same grey colour to match FX4 MAX’s grille and exterior details, with wheel-lip mouldings (a first for ranger). Ford says the “bold grey” wheel-lip mouldings are designed to emphasise FX4 MAX’s wide stance and match the detailing across the unique exterior, bolstering the overall impact of the model’s upgrades.

FX4 MAX is offered in a specific colour range, which includes the previously Ranger Raptor-only Conquer Grey paintwork. The model is also offered in Alabaster White, the first pearlescent colour offered on Ranger, recently introduced on XLT and Wildtrak. To further distinguish FX4 MAX, an optional graphics pack is available for the bonnet, flanks, and rear of the vehicle.

Like Ranger Raptor and the entire Ford Ranger line-up, FX4 MAX’s bespoke suspension and chassis tune is the result of extensive development in Australia, with testing across multiple sites throughout the country, including the Ford’s You Yangs Proving Ground in Victoria. Ford says AX’s individual suspension components have been meticulously matched for a unique combination of off-road capability and strong carrying capacity.

“Our goal with the suspension was to extend Ranger’s off-road capabilities, and we started with the basics: suspension travel, vehicle track and shock damping capability,” said Tony Tsiandikos, Ford Chassis Engineering Manager. “The changes mean greater control of the vehicle in more aggressive terrain. As well of course as testing at our Proving Ground in the You Yangs, we took the FX4 MAX through its paces, from the Victorian High Country to South Australia, and we’re confident that these are the very places that FX4 MAX customers will take their own vehicles – it had to cut the mustard, no question, in our playground.”

According to Ford, FX4 MAX’s suspension brings an off-road stance and capability through new 2.0-inch monotube Fox shock absorbers front and rear. The rear sees a remote reservoir for them, enabling rapid recovery from extensive, prolonged off-road use. They’re teamed with tuned coil-springs at the front, and a staggered shock arrangement at the rear to manage loads. The leaf springs have been tuned to provide greater compliance off road, while balancing payload and towing capability. Completing the suspension upgrades are new lock-stop profile steering knuckles, new front jounce bumpers and a 29mm front stabiliser bar.

Combined, the 20mm suspension lift and All-Terrain tyres sees FX4 MAX’s ride height 31mm above Ranger XLT, with outright ground clearance to rear differential increased by 19mm to 256mm. In addition, the FX4 MAX delivers greater approach and departure angles than Ranger XLT, to take full advantage of its switchable 4×4 system.

 Ranger 4×4 XLTRanger FX4 MAX
Approach angle29 degrees31 degrees
Breakover angle25 degrees25 degrees
Departure angle21 degrees23 degrees
Ground Clearance237mm256mm

Shared with the Ranger Raptor, the 4×4 FX4 MAX is powered by the latest generation, 157kW/500Nm Bi-Turbo powertrain, including the advanced 10-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain enables the FX4 MAX a 981kg payload as well as sharing Ranger’s 3,500kg towing capability. The 10-speed includes a lock-out feature to hold specific gears for ease when towing, with a towbar as standard on FX4 MAX.

The cockpit features exterior metal side-steps leading to off-road ready, all-weather floor mats and FX4 MAX specific seating inside. The seats feature materials new to Ranger, including carbon-accents with Miko suede inserts and FX4 MAX embroidery. There’s also Ranger Raptor sports pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that shares Black Alley inserts with the door trims and dash applique for greater contrast and “a fresh, bold character throughout.”

There’s also an 8-inch full colour, high-resolution touchscreen, which hosts built-in satellite-navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. In a Ranger first, six upfitter auxiliary switches are positioned centrally above the touchscreen. .

Fitted on Ford trucks globally, including the F-Series, the switchbank gives FX4 MAX owners the ability to easily connect and operate auxiliary accessories and equipment, such as light-bars, winches and spot-lights, in a seamless, integrated solution. To support such additions, FX4 MAX features a specific 250A alternator to power multiple accessories and reduce reliance on the vehicle’s battery.

Building on the Ranger FX4, FX4 MAX includes a comprehensive list of standard features, including AEB with Pedestrian Detection, FordPass Connect embedded modem, as well as dual-zone climate control, Lane Keep Assist and a full-colour, high resolution reversing camera. A full-size spare wheel complete with BF Goodrich All Terrain tyre is fitted as standard equipment.

The model comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre full factory warranty. Ford Service Benefits also offers FX4 MAX owners a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including Roadside Assistance, and sat-nav map updates.

FX4 MAX features 15,000km/12-month service intervals, and is eligible for the Ford Service Benefits program at participating Ford dealerships. A and B logbook services for the first four years/60,000km are set at a maximum of $299 per service.

The Ford Ranger 4×4 FX4 MAX will be available in Australia from late 2020.

Ford Ranger 4×4 FX4 MAX Pricing
Recommended Manufacturer List Prices (MLP) for Ford Ranger FX4 MAX and options:

 Ranger FX4 MAXMLP
 4×4 FX4 MAX Double P/up Bi-Turbo AT$65,940
 Ranger 4×4 FX4 MAX Options 
 Tech Pack (Adaptive Cruise Control, Semi-Auto Active Park Assist)         $800
 Prestige Paint$650
 FX4 MAX Decal Set (applied to bonnet, doors, box sides and tailgate)$750
Please follow and like us:
error: Content is protected !!