The all-new Ford Ranger will be launched with four different powertrains but in a push to make the double-cab bakkie more eco-friendly, the brand is looking at introducing a hybrid-electric option.
According to quotes sourced by Drive, the platform used for this Ford Ranger has been built with adopting a hybrid powertrain in mind. These variants, which will also be introduced on the upcoming Everest, are expected to see a global introduction by 2024.
Not much information regarding this model is available as of yet but it is understood that these will be popular options in Europe and North America, where strict regulations are being placed on internal combustion engine cars.
An engineer for the 2022 Ford Ranger told a roundtable meeting, the new chassis design “created more space under the bonnet to fit the V6 diesel engine, and helped ‘future-proof’ the Ranger for other propulsion technologies.”
Another engineer added that “We have enabled electrification in the platform. We’re not going to talk about that in any more detail right now … and when they’re available.
“But, you know, electrification … globally is coming and it’s a global pickup, so we have many, many customer needs and we have to satisfy those needs.”
The global chief engineer for the new Ford Ranger, Ian Foston, said “Certainly we’ve spoken to customers all around the world and there’s clearly two big drivers for electrification (and hybrid technology).
“One is through customers who’ve often had ownership experiences in electric vehicles of some variety. And they’re asking about when will pick-ups be available with that technology.
“And there’s also legislative requirements that have been applied in a number of markets around the world. So clearly there’s a big future for (hybrid and electric vehicles) in every segment, trucks being one of them as well.”
