2011-2022 Ford Ranger: End of the T6 timeline!

The covers have finally hit the floor to reveal the 2022 Ford Ranger, with the all-new ute rushing in what is, in essence, the third and final generation of Ford's T6 platform.

Breaking new ground for the Blue Oval, the 2022 Ranger will be available for the first time with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine – a version of the mill used in the big Ford F-150.

With bite to match the bark, the new Ranger also wears a wider stance and features more muscular design cues than its predecessor.

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A 50mm wider track and 50mm longer wheelbase not only improves on- and off-road driving dynamics, but it widens the cargo tub to enable it to swallow full-size pallets. Plus, the 2022 Ranger Wildtrak is equipped with four-wheel disc brakes previously exclusive to Raptor variants.

The T6's modular platform - hydro-formed at the front-end - is shared by the Ranger Raptor, Everest wagon and upcoming Bronco. In what is widely known, this platform will also be shared with the 2023 VW Amarok.

To welcome in the all-new Ranger, here's a brief look at the evolution of the home-grown T6 Ranger ute.

2011-2015 – PX Ranger

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Ford unveiled the current-generation Ford Ranger – codenamed T6 – back in 2010 at the Australian International Motoring Show. The new-gen T6 Ranger bumped up its towing strength, hiked its power, and arrived with a fresher, bolder face.

Three new engines heralded the new age of the Ranger: a 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder diesel (110kW/375Nm); a 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder diesel (147kW/470Nm); and a 4x2-only 2.5-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol (122kW/225Nm). Five-speed manual and automatic transmissions were available.

2015-2018 – PX MKII Ranger

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THE Ranger range received a major facelift in 2015, with the PX MKII hitting local showrooms in September that year.

The main changes included a redesigned front-end for a more aggressive look, retuned suspension componentry (springs and dampers), the addition of a new Electric Power-Assisted Steering system, and tech upgrades to get with the times (namely, SYNC2 and active safety features). Ford also tweaked the 2.2-litre engine to eek more power (now 118kW/385Nm).

2018 - 2021

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THE big change to the T6 Ranger in 2019 was the addition of the Ranger Raptor’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine (157kW/500Nm) and 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2.2- and 3.2-litre engine options remain.

The new powertrain came with the Raptor’s Terrain Management system, but keeps its 3500kg towing capacity, rather than the Raptor’s 2500kg. Another big update was the inclusion of Autonomous Emergency Braking.