Ford Ranger tech upgrade to see SYNC4 axed, hands-free driving added
SYNC4 will be used in the upcoming Ford Ranger PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) as well as the recently revealed 2026 Ranger Super Duty – but these may be the final Rangers with the system.
While timing of SYNC4's departure is yet to be revealed, a report from Ford Authority pointed to comments from Ford digital design boss, Doug Field, who said the SYNC4 system will make way for a version of Ford Digital Experience (FDE) – with the Toyota HiLux-rivalling Ranger top of the queue.
Also set to move to FDE are the F-150 and Mustang, with the latter set to join the Ranger in getting BlueCruise for the first time.
FDE was developed in collaboration with Google, with the roll-out beginning in the US on the 2025 Ford Explorer large SUV – and several models from Ford's luxury brand Lincoln – not sold in Australia.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2025 Ford Explorer with Ford Digital Experience Credit: CarExpert
'Software can sit in several types of electrical layouts, and in our plan, we'll innovate within a layout that draws from our existing platform instead of building a whole new one,' said Mr Field.
'For example, we will be able to take our very successful Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience that we've launched in the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus and Navigator to many more products like Mustang, Bronco, Ranger, and F-150.'
FDE brings a more smartphone-like experience centred around personalisation for vehicle owners, where preferred apps are displayed front-and-centre on the screen.
The ability to fit FDE in existing vehicles comes after Ford dropped development of its FNV4 (fully networked vehicle) software.
Instead, it will update existing platforms, enabling the use of its BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system, while developing a separate electrical architecture for its upcoming low-cost electric vehicle (EV) platform.
BlueCruise, a Level 2 autonomous driving feature, allows for hands-free driving across over 209,000km of highways in North America.
As of July 2024, it can also be used across 132,000km of highways in Europe, as Ford continues to receive regulatory approval for the feature in different markets. It currently isn't supported in Australia. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Ranger's move to what Ford is calling the FNV3.X electrical architecture may see SYNC4 replaced in the Ranger in a model year update ahead of a new model on a fresh platform, with the current underpinnings having been introduced in 2011.
The next-generation Ranger is expected in 2028 after the Ford F-150 development was delayed 12 months, with the two vehicles previously planned to share the same platform for the first time.
It is not clear whether the planned shared platform strategy – which was intended to reduce the number of platforms globally to streamline manufacturing costs – will go ahead.
SYNC4 was announced in 2019 and brought capabilities including over-the-air (OTA) updates including cloud-based navigation and connected services.
The Ford Ranger was the first Ford Australia vehicle to gain the FordPass smartphone app when it was launched locally in 2020. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
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Is this cute EV the car Honda needs in Australia?
Honda has revealed its N-One e, a pint-size electric vehicle (EV) offering almost 300km of range and the ability to supply power to your home. While the company has released images of the N-One e ahead of its launch in the northern Autumn (September to November), it has released little in the way of specifications. Honda has confirmed it offers 270km of range on the WLTC cycle – one of the cycles used in WLTP testing – and vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging functionality, as well as a one-pedal drive mode. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It hasn't released any performance figures, charging rates or dimensions, but the N-One e is almost certain to be under 3.4m long and produce less than 47kW from a single electric motor, per Japanese kei car regulations. As is often the case with Japanese kei cars, the N-One e has a boxy shape and 'friendly' styling. 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While the N-One e goes up against a growing contingent of electric kei cars – which includes the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X twins, as well as potentially at some point a rival from BYD – it's unlikely to come here. ABOVE, from left: Honda e:Ny1, Prologue, Ye P7, Afeela 1 Mitsubishi said it looked at importing the eK X, only to find it would be "uneconomic" to sell it here without modifying it to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The company argued these federal regulations were a hindrance, as the eK X met Japanese type approval and safety requirements there. The closest thing to these vehicles is the Hyundai Inster city EV, launched here this year with a base price of $39,000 before on-road costs. It's larger, measuring 3825mm long, and has up to 84kW of power and 360km of range depending on the variant. Honda doesn't offer any EVs in Australia, despite selling a growing EV lineup in China, a couple in Japan, one in Europe, and the Prologue in North America that uses a General Motors (GM) platform. It has also established a joint venture with Sony to produce EVs under the Afeela brand. The company's Australian arm said in 2024 that its first EV would be released here before 2028. MORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from: Honda has revealed its N-One e, a pint-size electric vehicle (EV) offering almost 300km of range and the ability to supply power to your home. While the company has released images of the N-One e ahead of its launch in the northern Autumn (September to November), it has released little in the way of specifications. Honda has confirmed it offers 270km of range on the WLTC cycle – one of the cycles used in WLTP testing – and vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging functionality, as well as a one-pedal drive mode. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It hasn't released any performance figures, charging rates or dimensions, but the N-One e is almost certain to be under 3.4m long and produce less than 47kW from a single electric motor, per Japanese kei car regulations. As is often the case with Japanese kei cars, the N-One e has a boxy shape and 'friendly' styling. "She's so adorable you'll want to call her your partner," reads Honda's website. "The electric N-One has a face that makes you feel attached to it. You'll want to talk to it every day, asking, 'How are you doing?'" Honda has used recycled materials in parts of the N-One e. The grille, for example, is made from discarded bumpers, while the carpeting and insulation is made from materials like PET bottles and old employees' work clothes. The interior is simple and versatile. The 50:50-split rear seats fold flat, while it appears you can shuffle between the front seats without snagging yourself on a console. A recessed shelf also runs along the dashboard, with USB outlets located just above it to make it a handy spot to put your phone. There's a free-standing infotainment touchscreen, as well as plenty of physical switchgear including for the climate control. The basic layout is similar to the N-Van e, a kei-class electric van launched late last year. However, it appears more plush inside. The N-Van e offers 245km of WLTP range. Its single electric motor produces 47kW and 162Nm, while its battery can be charged at up to 50kW on DC power and up to 6kW on AC power. Pricing hasn't been announced for the N-One e yet, but the N-Van e starts at ¥2,699,400 (~A$27,800) while offering front, front-side and curtain airbags, a heated driver's seat and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. It measures just 3395mm long, 1475mm wide and 1960mm tall. ABOVE: Honda N-Van e The N-One e joins Honda's N series of kei cars, which also includes the petrol-powered N-One, N-Box, N-Wgn and N-Van. Honda says the N-One e "inherits the endearing exterior design, spacious interior space, and easy handling" of the N360, one of the brand's first vehicles which was launched in 1967. While the N-One e goes up against a growing contingent of electric kei cars – which includes the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X twins, as well as potentially at some point a rival from BYD – it's unlikely to come here. ABOVE, from left: Honda e:Ny1, Prologue, Ye P7, Afeela 1 Mitsubishi said it looked at importing the eK X, only to find it would be "uneconomic" to sell it here without modifying it to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The company argued these federal regulations were a hindrance, as the eK X met Japanese type approval and safety requirements there. The closest thing to these vehicles is the Hyundai Inster city EV, launched here this year with a base price of $39,000 before on-road costs. It's larger, measuring 3825mm long, and has up to 84kW of power and 360km of range depending on the variant. Honda doesn't offer any EVs in Australia, despite selling a growing EV lineup in China, a couple in Japan, one in Europe, and the Prologue in North America that uses a General Motors (GM) platform. It has also established a joint venture with Sony to produce EVs under the Afeela brand. The company's Australian arm said in 2024 that its first EV would be released here before 2028. MORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from: Honda has revealed its N-One e, a pint-size electric vehicle (EV) offering almost 300km of range and the ability to supply power to your home. While the company has released images of the N-One e ahead of its launch in the northern Autumn (September to November), it has released little in the way of specifications. Honda has confirmed it offers 270km of range on the WLTC cycle – one of the cycles used in WLTP testing – and vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging functionality, as well as a one-pedal drive mode. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It hasn't released any performance figures, charging rates or dimensions, but the N-One e is almost certain to be under 3.4m long and produce less than 47kW from a single electric motor, per Japanese kei car regulations. As is often the case with Japanese kei cars, the N-One e has a boxy shape and 'friendly' styling. "She's so adorable you'll want to call her your partner," reads Honda's website. "The electric N-One has a face that makes you feel attached to it. You'll want to talk to it every day, asking, 'How are you doing?'" Honda has used recycled materials in parts of the N-One e. The grille, for example, is made from discarded bumpers, while the carpeting and insulation is made from materials like PET bottles and old employees' work clothes. The interior is simple and versatile. The 50:50-split rear seats fold flat, while it appears you can shuffle between the front seats without snagging yourself on a console. A recessed shelf also runs along the dashboard, with USB outlets located just above it to make it a handy spot to put your phone. There's a free-standing infotainment touchscreen, as well as plenty of physical switchgear including for the climate control. The basic layout is similar to the N-Van e, a kei-class electric van launched late last year. However, it appears more plush inside. The N-Van e offers 245km of WLTP range. Its single electric motor produces 47kW and 162Nm, while its battery can be charged at up to 50kW on DC power and up to 6kW on AC power. Pricing hasn't been announced for the N-One e yet, but the N-Van e starts at ¥2,699,400 (~A$27,800) while offering front, front-side and curtain airbags, a heated driver's seat and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. It measures just 3395mm long, 1475mm wide and 1960mm tall. ABOVE: Honda N-Van e The N-One e joins Honda's N series of kei cars, which also includes the petrol-powered N-One, N-Box, N-Wgn and N-Van. Honda says the N-One e "inherits the endearing exterior design, spacious interior space, and easy handling" of the N360, one of the brand's first vehicles which was launched in 1967. While the N-One e goes up against a growing contingent of electric kei cars – which includes the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X twins, as well as potentially at some point a rival from BYD – it's unlikely to come here. ABOVE, from left: Honda e:Ny1, Prologue, Ye P7, Afeela 1 Mitsubishi said it looked at importing the eK X, only to find it would be "uneconomic" to sell it here without modifying it to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The company argued these federal regulations were a hindrance, as the eK X met Japanese type approval and safety requirements there. The closest thing to these vehicles is the Hyundai Inster city EV, launched here this year with a base price of $39,000 before on-road costs. It's larger, measuring 3825mm long, and has up to 84kW of power and 360km of range depending on the variant. Honda doesn't offer any EVs in Australia, despite selling a growing EV lineup in China, a couple in Japan, one in Europe, and the Prologue in North America that uses a General Motors (GM) platform. It has also established a joint venture with Sony to produce EVs under the Afeela brand. The company's Australian arm said in 2024 that its first EV would be released here before 2028. MORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from: Honda has revealed its N-One e, a pint-size electric vehicle (EV) offering almost 300km of range and the ability to supply power to your home. While the company has released images of the N-One e ahead of its launch in the northern Autumn (September to November), it has released little in the way of specifications. Honda has confirmed it offers 270km of range on the WLTC cycle – one of the cycles used in WLTP testing – and vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging functionality, as well as a one-pedal drive mode. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It hasn't released any performance figures, charging rates or dimensions, but the N-One e is almost certain to be under 3.4m long and produce less than 47kW from a single electric motor, per Japanese kei car regulations. As is often the case with Japanese kei cars, the N-One e has a boxy shape and 'friendly' styling. "She's so adorable you'll want to call her your partner," reads Honda's website. "The electric N-One has a face that makes you feel attached to it. You'll want to talk to it every day, asking, 'How are you doing?'" Honda has used recycled materials in parts of the N-One e. The grille, for example, is made from discarded bumpers, while the carpeting and insulation is made from materials like PET bottles and old employees' work clothes. The interior is simple and versatile. The 50:50-split rear seats fold flat, while it appears you can shuffle between the front seats without snagging yourself on a console. A recessed shelf also runs along the dashboard, with USB outlets located just above it to make it a handy spot to put your phone. There's a free-standing infotainment touchscreen, as well as plenty of physical switchgear including for the climate control. The basic layout is similar to the N-Van e, a kei-class electric van launched late last year. However, it appears more plush inside. The N-Van e offers 245km of WLTP range. Its single electric motor produces 47kW and 162Nm, while its battery can be charged at up to 50kW on DC power and up to 6kW on AC power. Pricing hasn't been announced for the N-One e yet, but the N-Van e starts at ¥2,699,400 (~A$27,800) while offering front, front-side and curtain airbags, a heated driver's seat and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. It measures just 3395mm long, 1475mm wide and 1960mm tall. ABOVE: Honda N-Van e The N-One e joins Honda's N series of kei cars, which also includes the petrol-powered N-One, N-Box, N-Wgn and N-Van. Honda says the N-One e "inherits the endearing exterior design, spacious interior space, and easy handling" of the N360, one of the brand's first vehicles which was launched in 1967. While the N-One e goes up against a growing contingent of electric kei cars – which includes the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X twins, as well as potentially at some point a rival from BYD – it's unlikely to come here. ABOVE, from left: Honda e:Ny1, Prologue, Ye P7, Afeela 1 Mitsubishi said it looked at importing the eK X, only to find it would be "uneconomic" to sell it here without modifying it to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The company argued these federal regulations were a hindrance, as the eK X met Japanese type approval and safety requirements there. The closest thing to these vehicles is the Hyundai Inster city EV, launched here this year with a base price of $39,000 before on-road costs. It's larger, measuring 3825mm long, and has up to 84kW of power and 360km of range depending on the variant. Honda doesn't offer any EVs in Australia, despite selling a growing EV lineup in China, a couple in Japan, one in Europe, and the Prologue in North America that uses a General Motors (GM) platform. It has also established a joint venture with Sony to produce EVs under the Afeela brand. The company's Australian arm said in 2024 that its first EV would be released here before 2028. MORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from:
