Mountains, sheep, L&P, and the @Ford Ranger: https://t.co/W1uONvUmUz pic.twitter.com/jh5kdF1Oph
— Autoblog (@therealautoblog) July 18, 2017
America hasn't seen a new Ford Ranger since 2011, when the compact pickup was discontinued in the states. Ford has announced they will be bringing it back in 2019, and many drivers are eager to see a versatile pickup that's a bit smaller than the full-size F-150 rejoin the line.
To check out a brand new Ford Ranger, however, you don't need to wait for 2019 to roll around. You could head overseas right now, where the Ranger has never left the market.
In a sort of "preview" of what America's new Ranger could be like, Autoblog sent reporters to New Zealand for a test drive through the mountainous island country.
The interior of their Wildtrak edition was sportily decorated with orange contrast stitching, matching the exclusive orange body color. The Ranger Wildtrak certainly has the looks of a performance truck. Its handling didn't have the reviewers salivating all over themselves, but it kept its footing over loose gravel, and features like Hill Descent Control made the trip back down the mountain comfortable.
Of course, this "sneak peek" is barely a preview, because the 2019 Ranger sold in the U.S. will feature different powertrains, different design language, and may have little in common with its overseas counterpart besides the nameplate. Look for more news as it becomes available at Mac Haik Ford Pasadena.