Updates to the Ford Ranger pick-up will include more power, greater fuel efficiency, enhanced refinement and advanced driver assistance technologies.
The revised Ranger will go on sale in mid-2019 and is expected to continue the impressive recent success of the model. Of the 51,500 Rangers that Ford sold in 2018, more than 16,000 were to UK buyers.
The new version will be offered for the first time with the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine. This includes selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to improve emissions and, when combined with a new 10-speed auto transmission, delivers fuel economy gains of up to 9%.
Downsized engine
Replacing a 2.2-litre unit the entry-level version of the new engine will be combined with a single variable-geometry turbocharger delivering 130hp and 340Nm of torque. Fuel economy is rated from 35.3mpg and CO2 emissions from 209g/km.
A 170hp version will be available, with 420Nm of torque, 34.0mpg and from 216g/km, while the range-topper will be the bi-turbo version with 213hp, 500Nm of torque, 30.7mpg and 228g/km. This replaces a previous 3.2-litre engine with power and torque gains of 13hp and 30Nm.
The new Ranger will be offered in Regular Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab body styles, all versions with four-wheel drive as standard.
Technology upgrades reflect the wider customer appeal of the latest Ranger, with Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity system and the FordPass Connect on-board modem technology fitted to the model.
Safety gets an upgrade too, with Ford claiming a first-in-class for Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Intelligent Speed Assist driver aids – these will be fitted as standard on all versions of the Ranger. Active Park Assist joins the options list.
The basics remain, however, particularly the off-road ability of the Ranger, which Ford is now actively marketing to both commercial and increasing numbers of lifestyle buyers. The Ranger has a wading depth of 80cm, 23cm of ground clearance and 29-degree approach and 21-degree departure angles to tackle steep obstacles.
The model also offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, and payload capacity of up to 1,252kg.
The Ranger Raptor, developed by the Ford Performance motorsport division, also goes on sale in mid-2019, the model described as the toughest and most high-performing Ranger ever.
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