This is the first look at the most important new model for Ford Australia – the new-generation Ranger.
The countdown has officially begun to the unveiling of Ford’s critical new ute, with this teaser video and images showing the new load-lugger being put through its paces in a variety of off-road conditions. The new Ranger will be revealed before the end of 2021 but won’t hit showrooms until early in 2022.
Ford Australia is leading the global development team, as it did with the current Ranger, but there is help coming from a variety of places. One of the biggest changes between the out-going and incoming Ranger is the partner for the program, with Volkswagen replacing Mazda. That means the next-generation VW Amarok will be a re-badged version of the Ranger.
While nothing technical is official yet, there are some other major elements we know are all-but-certain to appear. Under the bonnet expect a new range of engines, with the 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder turbo diesel found in the Ranger Raptor the only expected carryover.
That 2.0-litre four-pot will be joined by a new single turbo version, which will make approximately 130kW of power and 420Nm of torque; the twin-turbo making 157kW and 500Nm twin-turbo diesel. There’s also expected to be not one, but two new V6 engines, with the choice of petrol or diesel. The petrol V6 will be 2.7-litres in capacity and have a pair of turbos to make 230kW and 540Nm, while the 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel V6 will make 185kW and a healthy 600Nm.
But that’s not all, with Ford also expected to introduce a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the Ranger line-up. While it may not be available from launch, it’s expected to join as the blue oval tries to introduce electrification to every model in its range. The Ranger PHEV is likely to be powered by a combination of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for support.
Transmissions are expected to be a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. Naturally both 4×2 and 4×4 models will be available.
The Ranger in the images appears to be a Super Cab, but Single Cab and Dual Cab variants are also expected, as a cab chassis and pickup bodies.
Standby for more details to filter out ahead of the Ranger’s official unveiling for Ford Australia likely to make a very big splash for its best-selling model.
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