Launched: Ford Ranger Platinum – From RM183,888

The Ford Ranger line-up grew locally today with the arrival of the plush new Ford Ranger Platinum variant.

Want a Ford Ranger that’s a little more luxurious than it is rugged? Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) might just have the answer in the form of the newly launched Ford Ranger Platinum variant. The model was introduced today alongside the new Ford Everest Wildtrak.

Slotting in between the performance-biased Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo and Wildtrak variants, the Platinum trimline is presented as a more luxury-focused flavour of Ford’s best-selling mid-sized pick-up truck. With its arrival, Malaysia becomes the first market in the region to see the Platinum variant go on sale too.

Mechanically, the Ford Ranger Platinum employs the same package as seen in the XLT Plus, Wildtrak, and Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo variants. The package consists of Ford’s signature 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4-cyl mill rated at 210 PS and 500 NM, 10-speed automatic box, plus a full-blown 4x4 driveline with rear diff-lock.

Visually, the Platinum is easily distinguished by its variant-specific badges, chrome trims, and segment-first 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels.

Visually, the Platinum variant stands out easily thanks to its variant-specific script badges, chrome exterior trims, as well as its unique and first-in-segment 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels. Avid pick-up truck connoisseurs will also note the powered roller shutter and ‘Flexible Rack System’ primed in the flatbed.

The latter two features were aimed towards enhancing the Platinum variant’s versatility not just for daily driving, but for the occasional adventures too – i.e. a Ford Ranger Getaways trips. Matching this too are the Platinum variant’s clearly more luxurious innards.

Also unique to the Platinum is the addition of a powered roller shutter and 'Flexible Rack System' in its flatbed.

The plush ambience on board stems from the presence of perforated leather upholstery in the seats and steering wheel plus Platinum script badge stitching too. The front seats also boast heating and ventilation features, as well as 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory function. There’s also a blue-hued cabin ambient lighting suite, and an 8-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium hi-fi audio suite primed here.

As for safety, the Ford Ranger Platinum mirror its Wildtrak and Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo siblings here by having a full-swing of active driver assist (ADAS) features primed as standard. Said package also boasts segment-first additions, namely Evasive Steer Assist and Semi-Autonomous Park Assist.

On board, the Ranger Platinum boasts perforated leather seats, with the front units sporting heating and ventilation plus 10-way power-adjustable and driver memory functions.

Open for bookings now, the Ford Ranger Platinum is tagged at RM183,888 (Peninsular Malaysia) on-the-road sans insurance. Said price sees a 5-year or 160,000 KM manufacturer warranty by SDAC included, and this can be extended by two years or 40,000 KM through an optional Extended Warranty Plan.

What do you folks think of this plush and more up-market flavour of Ford’s segment-defining mid-size pick-up truck then? As always, hit the comments below – and our social media platforms – with your thoughts…