Tougher than Toyota HiLux? 2022 Ford Ranger spied with rear disc brakes and F-150- and Maverick-like front design ahead of reveal and Australian launch

Well, that certainly didn’t take long – the next-generation Ford Ranger ute has been spied testing in Thailand just a week after it was partially revealed in light camouflage.

Images of the new Ranger began circling the internet overnight, with the above giving us our first proper look at its new front end, which is inspired by the smaller Maverick and larger F-150 utes in Ford’s global model line-up.

As expected, the so-called ‘T6.2’ Ranger’s exterior design is punctuated by a protruding grille bar that intersects with the headlights, which are highlighted by enlarged C-shaped daytime running lights.

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The images below also offer a closer look at the upcoming Ranger’s side profile and rear end than last week’s teasers. Point being, it can now be confirmed that the model will finally introduce rear disc brakes, a feature that’s long been on the wish list.

This notable upgrade from rear drum brakes will presumably be shared with the next-generation Volkswagen Amarok, which will be based on the imminent Ranger, the predecessor of which was the previous-generation Mazda BT-50’s twin under the skin.

(Image credit: South Auckland Motors)

That said, the fresh Ranger still has plenty of secrets, so we’ll be sure to share them as they’re uncovered, potentially ahead of its official reveal later this year and Australian launch sometime in 2022.

These secrets include the redesigned Ranger’s interior, although Ford's latest Sync4 multimedia system is all but confirmed alongside a large central touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster, with the former possibly in a portrait orientation.

(Image credit: South Auckland Motors)

What else is in store for the Toyota HiLux rival remains to be seen, but the rumour mill has been in overdrive for a long time now, particularly regarding its engine line-up, which is tipped to be headlined by a pair of V6s.

Specifically, a 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel with about 185kW/600Nm is expected from launch alongside a 2.7-litre twin-turbo petrol with around 230kW/540Nm, while a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was recently spied testing in Europe ahead of its release later down the line.

The series’ current 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine is rumoured to be the only carryover unit, with a 130kW/420Nm single-turbo version of it tipped to be used by entry-level variants. Stay tuned.