While we were waiting for the arrival of a 100% electric Ranger, Ford prefers to launch in Europe a plug-in hybrid pick-up, more suitable for professionals.
Ford is the king of the pickup. At home, the big F-150 has been the best-selling model for more than four decades. And in the rest of the world, the blue oval dominates the market with the Ranger, its most international vehicle. In Europe, it now represents 45% of pick-up sales, helped, it is true, by the scarcity of competition!
On the other side of the Atlantic, the F-150 has successfully gone all-electric with its Lightning version. We expected to see the Ranger do the same. But Ford has chosen another electrification for its midsize pick-up: the plug-in hybrid.
A choice which can be explained by the desire not to compromise on the qualities of the Ranger in professional use. However, if the F-150 is bought a lot by individuals (it’s almost the Clio of the Americans), the Ranger has a primarily professional clientele. The PHEV model thus retains the 3.5 tonne towing capacity of the rest of the range. The same goes for off-road qualities.
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The machine is equipped with a 2.3 Ecoboost gasoline unit, associated with an electric motor. The cumulative power is unknown. The same goes for battery size. But Ford promises a range in 100% electric mode of more than 45 kilometers.
The PHEV thus wants to bring together the best of both worlds: the characteristics attractive to professionals and the opportunity to reduce the fuel bill. The manufacturer has also indicated that one in two Ranger owners drives less than 40 km per day.
The hybrid model is equipped with Pro Power Onboard, which allows you to plug electrical tools or appliances into sockets located in the bed. Practical for professionals who can do without a noisy and bulky generator. If the battery drains too much, the gasoline unit can act as a generator. There is also a socket in the cabin.
The PHEV does not have the right to a particular look. The additional hatch for recharging is on the left side of the dumpster. As is often the case, Ford got ahead of the curve. The model will enter production at the end of 2024, in a year therefore, and will be delivered from the beginning of 2025!
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