Ford is finally bringing the Ranger back to the United States, and the carmaker is already working diligently on the new model, by testing the prototypes. One of the prototypes has been spotted in the streets, and it wears a heavy camouflage, but we can distinguish some details.
First of all, the design looks familiar as the 2019 US-spec mid-size pickup is going to be based on the ongoing Ranger sold globally. Of course, there will be some changes, both visual and mechanical to differentiate it from the overseas version of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the size and shape of the pickup should remain the same.
The 2019 Ford Ranger will use a body-on-frame platform which has the code name T6. It can be found under the body of the ongoing Ranger as well as the Ford Everest. Speaking of the Everest, Blue Oval plans to introduce an update alongside the new Ranger, with Ford’s Australian department responsible for most of the development.
Moreover, Ford has plans to unveil the Bronco branded vehicle one year after the Ranger, but it is still unclear whether the new Bronco is going to remind us of the iconic model, or it will be just an Everest version. Hopefully, it is the former.
The ongoing Ford Ranger sold outside the US comes with two diesel engines – a 2.2-liter I4 and a 3.2-liter I5 producing 158 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque and 197 ponies and 346 lb-ft of torque respectively. When it comes to the market in America, the Ford Ranger should be available with gasoline powerplant, but it would be cool if one diesel unit were to arrive, at least as an option.
What is curious is that the U.S. carmaker is working on a Ranger Raptor model. This model is being developed at the moment which is the reason Ford is tight-lipped, but under its hood, we expect to see a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 taken from the F-150 Raptor.
Both 2019 Ford Ranger and 2020 Ford Bronco are going to be assembled at company’s factory in Wayne, Michigan. Once it hits the market, the 2019 Ford Ranger will go against Chevy Colorado, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline. Stay tuned for more details.
