Like its contemporaries, the Ford Ranger midsize pickup is still primarily viewed as workhorse in the Philippines, despite the increasing emphasis towards lifestyle and recreational use. That perception shows in the range of color options that are available to local customers, comprising mostly business-like hues.
Ford will be bringing back the Splash Appearance Package on the Ranger pickup for the 2022 model year
The closest shade would be what Ford Philippines calls Saber that’s reserved for the Wildtrak variant. But if you’re one of those who feel that the color just isn’t vibrant enough for the eyes, the Blue Oval brand is releasing the U.S.-spec Ranger as a throwback truck for the 2022 model year.
This is courtesy of the Splash Appearance Package, last seen on 1990s-era releases of the Ranger. Back in the day, it was considered an attempt to channel the West Coast design trends of the period, complete with exclusive decals and flare side bed. Ford will be reviving the look for the current T6 Ranger, turning it into a time machine of sorts.
The original Splash configuration was offered on the second-generation Ford Ranger in 1993
“Ranger customers love to personalize their trucks – more than 80 percent customize their Ranger with an appearance package – and with Splash, we’re giving them something exclusive,” according to Chad Callandar, Ford Ranger marketing manager.
For the basic Splash Package, changes will be limited to a bright orange color adorning an otherwise stock Ranger unit. This will be enhanced by prominent black graphics along the truck’s profile, accompanied by gloss black accents on the grille, bumpers, side mirrors, wheel lip mouldings, and fender vents. Special 18-inch alloys in matte black can be found on all four corners.
Orange accents accompany the gloss black grille
The mostly black interior gets touches of color as well, with orange contrast stitching on the exclusive fabric seats, steering wheel, gear shift lever, and parking brake boot. Lariat variants get the stitching on the dashboard as well, along with leather upholstery.
Unlike the Splash Package that’s available throughout the model year, the more exclusive Splash Limited Edition changes every few months, sold as one-time-only colors on a select number of units. Kicking off the Limited Edition is the Splash Snow Edition Ranger which, as the name implies, could involve a predominantly white color scheme with a few trim enhancements.
More orange makes its way into the cabin with contrast stitching on the seats and dashboard
Ford U.S.A. is making the Splash Package available on both the Ranger XLT and Lariat variants sporting the SuperCrew (four-door, front-hinged) body styles. The package entails a premium of $1,495 (almost Php 75,000) on top of the sticker price, and deliveries from Ford’s Michigan plant to American customers are expected to start by year-end.
Considering that the North American Ranger T6 isn’t all that different design-wise from the Asia-Pacific version in our market, the Splash Package would definitely look just as good on our local units. Maybe Ford Philippines can be persuaded to bring it over, at least as a last hurrah before the current model bows out in favor of the next-generation Ranger.
Pick up more updates on the automotive industry at Philkotse.com.