Ford is expanding the lineup of the Ranger midsize pickup with the addition of a plug-in hybrid version that’s set to arrive in early 2025. The Ranger PHEV offers a zero-emission range of more than 45 km (28 miles) without relying on the charging infrastructure for longer trips. The electrified pickup is said to retain the towing, payload, and off-road capabilities of the ICE-powered equivalent.
The powertrain combines the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery of unknown capacity. Ford didn’t reveal the specs but promised that the plug-in hybrid system will deliver “more torque than any other Ranger”, which means it will surpass the 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel. On a similar note, thanks to the electric boost, the combined power output of the PHEV will certainly be higher than the 270 hp (201 kW / 273 PS) of the standard 2.3-liter Ecoboost.
The targeted range of over 45 km (28 miles) is similar to the Kuga PHEV which uses a 14.4 kWh battery pack, although the Ranger has a 4WD system, a heavier body, and worse aerodynamics compared to the compact SUV. As for the braked towing capability, Ford targets the same 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) figure with the ICE-powered Ranger.
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An important addition to the equipment is the Pro Power Onboard system, with multiple power outlets on the tailgate and inside the cabin. The company claims that the PHEV’s battery can power “tools and appliances on a worksite or remote campsite”, effectively making power generators obsolete.
Visually, the easier way to differentiate the electrified Ranger from the rest of the lineup is the charging port mounted on the rear fender, right next to the fuel cap. Other version-specific features include the PHEV lettering on the side gills and a new design for the 18-inch alloy wheels. The company didn’t show the interior but it is safe to assume that the digital cockpit will gain new graphics showing the battery charge status and the selectable driving modes. Equipment will also include plenty of ADAS.
Ford’s gallery only shows the high-spec Wildtrak trim, but the PHEV lineup could grow. Chris Rushton, Commercial Vehicle Marketing Manager at Ford Pro Europe, told Autocar that the PHEV will be available “on those derivatives which are our most popular globally and especially with the European customer in mind”.
The Ranger PHEV will enter production in late 2024, with the first deliveries expected in early 2025. The model has been officially confirmed for Europe, Australia, and the UK, but additional markets could follow. Ford plans to offer “a wide range of powertrain options for customers in the mid-sized pick-up segment” making us wonder if the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains will be joined by a BEV offering further into the future.
It remains to be seen whether the plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Ranger will find its way on the VW Amarok twin, the Ford Everest SUV, and the mechanically-related Ford Bronco, as all of the aforementioned models share the same ladder-frame architecture.
