Ford Ranger special edition celebrates rally champions
The crew behind Ford’s World Rally Championship efforts have turned their attention back to the Ranger ute, giving it a winning-themed makeover.
When Australians modify the Ford Ranger, typical upgrades include bigger tyres and a suspension lift, focusing on off-road performance – but that’s not how they do it in Europe.
In 2024, Ford’s World Rally Championship partner M-Sport revealed the Ranger MS-RT as a lowered ‘street truck’ version of the popular ute, focused on delivering greater on-road handling with little compromise for how it performs as a work vehicle.
This was followed by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version last year, and now a special Champion Edition has been revealed, celebrating M-Sport’s successful WRC lineage.
Across its time as the Ford works rally team and its own M-Sport operation, the UK firm has won three WRC Manufacturers titles (2006, 2007 and 2019), but despite slipping down the ranks in recent years, it’s still keen to celebrate its history – particularly as it once again becomes more closely aligned with Ford.
All Ranger MS-RT Champion Editions are finished in Agate Black and feature gold exterior decals, such as the striking racing stripes over the top and down its sides.
The 21-inch wheels – shod in relatively low-profile 275/45R21 tyres – have also been given the gold treatment, with the diamond-cut alloys standing out under the wider guards.
Inside, there’s now a sports steering wheel with gold stitching and a gold 12-o’clock market, while the sports seats also feature gold contrast stitching against the black ‘eco-leather’.
Under the occupant’s feet are gold floor mats, while there’s a unique Champion Edition Plaque in every example.
Carry-over features from the standard Ranger MS-RT include revised bumpers, side skirts, a new bonnet, grille and a ducktail spoiler which is integrated into reshaped rear guards.
Compared to a normal dual-cab Ranger, the MS-RT sits 40mm lower, has an 80mm wider track and 82mm wider guards.
There are no changes to the Ranger’s powertrain, with the MS-RT Champion Edition exclusively powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine, producing up to 183kW and 600Nm.
Despite not looking like a true work ute, MS-RT says its version of the Ranger retains a 3500kg braked towing capacity.
While the Ranger MS-RT has been on sale in Thailand – another right-hand drive market – it has remained off the radar for Ford in Australia.
