Be that as it may, it is expected that the new Ranger will take most of the parts from the existing global model. However, there will, of course, be some updates especially under the hood and some new technology bits and pieces will be featured on the dashboard.
Blue Oval company decided to stop producing the Ranger four years ago. Nevertheless, the 2015 Ranger was debuted for a global market, but this model was not available in the US. Ever since then, the rumors have been swirling that it must come back to the North America. We believe that the new Ranger will go on sale in 2018. So let’s take a look at the exterior, interior, powertrain and expected price of the new vehicle.
Exterior
The exterior of the new model will not see some major modifications. It is expected that the truck will come with some small upgrades before it hits the US market. What would be a good idea is if Ford decided to offer regular, extended and crew cab. The regular cab is important because no other mid-size truck has one and it would attract commercial customers. This is the aspect in which US car maker could gain advantage from the start.
Speaking of looks, we expect bumper, grille, and headlight design, to remain the same as the ones on the global Ranger. There may be some changes to make a distinction between base and upper trims, but that is about it. Moreover, the tow hooks at the front should come from under the bumper. A large front air dam will slightly improve fuel economy numbers but could affect approach angles.
The sides of the 2018 Ford Ranger will remain unchanged. To overhaul doors or a roof is much more expensive than to redesign a bumper, for instance. However, a panoramic moonroof might come as an option for some upper trims. This would be a first time for a mid-size pickup truck to arrive with a piece of equipment like this one. A sliding rear window is going to be offered as an option as well.
One might expect that Ford could get rid of roof rack bars or sports bars. However, Chevrolet and GMC decided to keep these on their trucks, and this can cause Ford to keep them as well. At the rear end, a traditional step bumper to which you can add frame-mounted trailer hitch receiver underneath is expected. In addition, LED lighting will be located in the bed, whereas the tailgate will feature spring-loaded assist system. There will be more innovations to the bed, some of which might be inspired by the F-150.
Ranger Interior
The interior of the Ford Ranger designed for the global market is perfectly fine for the US market. Nevertheless, some modifications are in store here but nothing revolutionary as the ongoing version comes with a clean and smooth design. The gear stick is mounted in the console whereas the center stack leads into the console as well. The AWD switch is also located there, and it is possible that the American carmaker will not change much.
The middle and upper trim levels will offer SYNC, which includes navigation, HD and satellite radio, hands-free phone operation, Bluetooth connectivity, voice controls for some systems and a 360-degree camera. On the other hand, cloth or vinyl seat covering will be a added to the lower trims.
Engine Options
The Ford Ranger on the world market is offered with four engine options three of which are diesel. The most changes will be made under the hood, and new units will be available for the US buyers. One turbodiesel engine will be kept, and that is the 3.2-liter I5 that produces 185 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is similar to the GM’s 2.8-liter Duramax I4 good for 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Ford could do something to upgrade this engine, which will be a premium option.
Another offered unit should be a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. With this option, Ford would be far better than Tacoma’s 3.5-liter V6 and GM’s 3.6-liter V6. These powerplants produce 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque and 305 hp and 269 pound-feet of torque respectively. The additional engine could come from the Ford Explorer and should represent entry level offer; this is the 2.3-liter EcoBoost I4 rated at 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in the Explorer.
Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are probably the best options. The manual gearbox would be reserved for the base trim, whereas both RWD and AWD should be available. An electronic locking rear differential should also be offered within the range.
2018 Ford Ranger Price
The biggest competitor of the 2018 Ford Ranger is the Chevrolet Colorado that starts at $20,100 closely trailed by Toyota Tacoma that is priced at $23,660. However, we have two or even three more years until the Ford Ranger reaches the market and the projected price of the base model could be around $21,000.
Although Ford hasn’t officially announced that the Ford Ranger will reach the US soil, it is a logical move. As we have said, most parts that are available on the global variant should be kept on the US model. What is exciting is that engine lineup will be very interesting and three cab choices are a must. On the other hand, we still don’t know when it will be launched, and we are waiting for an official confirmation to be sure.
