The Ford Ranger Platinum has landed in the ASEAN region

Luxury isn’t a characteristic people first look for in a truck. For most people, luxury is at the bottom of the list in their considerations for a new truck, with traits like toughness, power, and size taking precedence over anything else. For people who do want a pickup truck with a touch of luxury, Ford has taken a step to provide its customers in Malaysia with a truck that has premium features and feel. Ford it seems, is on a mission to make a Ranger variant for all sorts of people. 

Starting with the exterior, the Ford Ranger Platinum carries a new grille design found only on this model, and the term "Platinum" is prominently spelled out along the hood's edge. Additionally, it features the innovative swinging roof bars and adaptable rack system initially introduced in the Storm model. Completing the unique exterior touches are Platinum badges on the doors and a set of exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels. This means the Platinum won’t get lost in a parking lot alongside the Wildtrak and even the Raptor.

Moving inside is where the fun begins. The Platinum’s interior is equipped with plush quilted leather seats adorned with more Platinum badging. The truck is also enhanced with seat heating and ventilation, complemented by a memory function for the driver's side. The dashboard proudly displays another Platinum badge, accompanied by an intricate stitch pattern. However, the most noticeable feature is the premium audio system, courtesy of Bang & Olufsen. This high-fidelity system amplifies the speaker count to eight, delivering an enhanced audio experience.

Shifting our focus to the engine, the ASEAN variant of the Platinum does not feature the 3.0-liter V6 Power Stroke turbodiesel, a sore spot for fans of the Raptor here in the Philippines. However, the 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel remains under the hood. This engine pumps out 207 hp and 500 Nm of torque, so, in terms of power, it’s got more than enough under the hood.

The Ford Ranger is a major icon here in the Philippine market, and with more people shifting out of the smaller sedans and hatchbacks and into trucks, Ford Philippines has plenty of reasons to put the Platinum here in the country. If Ford Philippines does put the Platinum up for sale here, expect it to slot between the Wildtrak 4x4 and the Raptor in terms of pricing.