Finally, our first look at the much-anticipated Ford Ranger


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U.S. consumers will finally have access to the new Ford Ranger, the pickup that has been sold globally for years but not available in the U.S. since 2012.

Ford announced at the Detroit Auto Show, production on the pickup will begin in late 2018 for 2019 sales. That's good news for consumers who have been looking for a pickup to drive but not wanting to go with the full-size F-150. This is where Ford sees the opportunity they say wasn't there 8 years ago when demand for a mid-size pickup was falling. What a difference a few years makes.

The LATimes.com reports the new Ranger will come with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. The truck will be available in both two-wheel and 4-wheel drive and have three trim lines - entry level XL, midlevel XLT, and high-end Lariat.

Ford Ranger/Motor Trend/Twitter

Fans of the old model will notice distinct differences. The design, Ford says, will be unique to the U.S. market, as will off-road packages. The truck will come standard with automatic emergency braking, while safety features like blind spot detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning come on higher trim levels.

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Ford has not yet released any details on pricing, payload, fuel economy or towing capacities.

Related: The upcoming Ford Ranger will have unexpected competition in the booming small truck market