The influence of electrification keeps on rapidly growing, and it seems like the Ford Ranger is next on the list.
The Ford Ranger could get a PHEV powertrain
In a report by Drive, the next-generation Ford Ranger will be made available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain for the 2024 model. While the Blue Oval company hasn’t confirmed the speculation, the Australia-based media outlet said that the Ranger PHEV could be offered as early as next year.
The engine rumored to be paired with PHEV technology is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. This engine is found on the Volkswagen Amarok, a pickup truck based on the current Ford Ranger platform.
The towing capability is something to look forward to
On its own, the said turbocharged engine is capable of generating 298 horsepower and 452 Nm of torque. We can expect higher performance figures once one or more electric motors are fitted.
Considering the use of the PHEV powertrain, the Ranger should be able to run in pure electric mode. But as of this writing, the range and charging capabilities are yet to be known. The technology is also expected to arrive in the Ranger’s midsize SUV sibling, the Everest.
If Ford Philippines has plans to bring the rumored Ranger PHEV into its lineup, the electrified pickup should benefit from Republic Act 11697, also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) law. It will also be interesting to see whether the company will even consider a Ranger PHEV as the ASEAN region tends to favor a diesel powertrain for Pickup Platform Vehicles (PPVs).
The PHEV version of the Ranger is expected to come out next year
But, Ford isn’t closing any doors when it comes to offering the Ranger with a hybrid or electric powertrain. Philkotse spoke with Ford T6 Global Program Manager Dan Ciccocioppo during the next-gen Ranger media drive held last November 2022.
Ciccocioppo neither confirm nor deny when asked about the possibility of offering the next-gen Ranger with a hybrid or fully electric version. He only shared that the current Ranger is designed to have the capability to accommodate future powertrains.
The PHEV variant is expected to be offered on the flagship models of the Ranger and Everest. With the addition of PHEV components such as the electric motor and battery, the price tags are expected to increase. Currently, the top-of-the-line PH-spec 2023 Ranger and Everest are priced at Php 1,910,000 and Php 2,525,000, respectively.
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