Ford Australia has announced details of its MY19 Ranger ute, which is headlined by a new twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 10-speed automatic transmission – a combination that will also be used in the forthcoming off-road-oriented Ranger Raptor flagship.

The powerful new engine, which produces 157kW at 3750rpm and 500Nm from 1750-2000rpm, will be available on high-series XLT and Wildtrak variants, providing an alternative to the continuing 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre ‘Duratorq’ five-cylinder unit, the latter teaming up with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

The other powertrain in the Ranger line-up, a 118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder diesel, remains in service at the entry level.

The model year update for the popular Australian-developed one-tonne utility also ushers in revised styling, suspension revisions and equipment upgrades.

Ford says the suspension changes apply across the range and are designed to reduce bodyroll and improve ride comfort, with an emphasis on when the vehicle is fully laden and/or towing. Notably, the suspension changes – and the new Bi-Turbo engine, we might add – do not impact on Ranger’s payload and towing capacities.

Already one of the leading vehicles in its class for driver-assist safety technology, latest Ranger takes a step further with the development of an advanced ‘inter-urban’ autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) that can detect pedestrians as well as other vehicles.

Another advanced electronic feature, traffic sign recognition, also becomes available, detecting permanent and temporary road speeds and automatically alerting the driver of the change.

Both AEB and traffic sign recognition will be standard on Wildtrak and optional on XLT variants, the latter contained in a Tech Pack that includes lane departure warning and lane keep assist systems.

Ford is also claiming a segment-first with the availability of active park assist on Ranger – again, standard on Wildtrak and optional on XLT – which provides semi-automatic parallel parking.

Other features introduced with the series overhaul include a redesigned tailgate for pick-up models, which is easier to lift (by a claimed 70 per cent) and to lower, and various revisions in the cabin – more durable and tactile surfaces, darker trim with contrasting chrome and silver detail elements (for a more premium feel) and, not least of all, an updated Sync 3 infotainment system.

Sync 3 is now optional on mid-range XLS grades for the first time and includes sat-nav updates for up to seven years (when serviced through a participating Ford dealer), along with high-grade features like an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, automatic emergency assistance, reversing camera and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.

XLT and Wildtrak benefit further with improved lighting performance via HID headlights and LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and push-button start (optional on XLS).

The MY19 Ranger is identified by a revised front grille with, as Ford puts it, cleaner nostrils, as well as a more distinctively chiselled lower bumper.

Ford’s Australian design team has also worked on bumper treatments and colours to provide a clearer distinction between the various model grades – more chrome on XLT, for example, while Wildtrak picks up a new ‘Sabre’ hero colour (metallic orange with blonde accents) and is further differentiated by a unique sports bar and optional black-finish 18-inch alloy wheels.

Pricing and full specification details will be released closer to launch in the final quarter of this year.