The Ford Ranger is undergoing an evolution that will see Australia’s best-selling vehicle grow in size as well as scope, as it fends off the coming Toyota HiLux facelift and all-new rivals like the Kia Tasman, MG U9 and next-gen Nissan Navara.
We’re not talking about the Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) out soon, or the Ranger Super Duty off-road workhorse due sometime in 2026 either.
Instead, these are new niche programs that should shore up the current T6.2 architecture’s viability into the next decade.
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Furthermore, they would likely also ensure the continuing contribution of Ford’s Australian design and engineering departments on a worldwide scale, given Melbourne is the global homeroom for the mid-sized ute and its Everest and Bronco SUV off-shoots.
Expected sometime soon is an extended-wheelbase and twin rear-axle Ranger.
First spotted driving on public roads in Geelong back in late 2022 by a keen-eyed CarsGuide reader, the “Ranger XXL” prototype (as we reported back then) was also said to have a longer dual-cab body.
While Ford has yet to confirm this model’s existence, it does suggest that new and different work-ute niche markets are being explored – perhaps in unison with the Ranger Super Duty to give the workhorse an even greater payload.
There’s also the possibility that this is an overseas-market project, given the Ranger is the most globally available Ford in the world today.
Another model that is thought to be in the works is the full battery electric vehicle that is known internally as Ranger BEV.
Not much is known about this except that it is in collaboration with the Volkswagen Group for a future iteration of the closely-related Amarok.
Whether it is related to the US mid-sized EV ute currently undergoing development at a breakaway skunkworks centre in California is unknown.
However, reports say the latter employs an all-new and bespoke architecture for the North American market and elsewhere, while the Ranger BEV would be a more cost-effective solution for the rest of the world based on the T6.2 platform.
With the existing PY-series Ranger already nearly three years old, an extensive facelift is in the pipeline for a 2027 launch.
Ford is really staying quiet about this, but it is believed that the Super Duty’s more-squared off bonnet, chunkier arch mouldings and beefier bumpers are a good indication as to what the regular models may look like, along with restyled LED headlights and a different grille.
Mechanical upgrades are also said to be under development, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder single-turbo diesel with mild-hybrid tech to replace the current twin-turbo (Bi-Turbo) unit that is thought to run afoul of future emissions requirements.
Of course, you can bet that the facelift and cleaner diesel powertrains will also apply to the Everest SUV in time.
According to the global head of the Ford Motor Company, Executive Chairman, William Clay Ford Jr., the Ford Australia team of designers and engineers still have plenty of work on their plates.
“We have so much opportunity in front of us, and you know, we've made Australia a Centre of Excellence for Ford,” he told the Australian media at Ford’s 100th Anniversary celebrations in Melbourne last week.
“They've done a great job. Just look at the sales results of Ranger and Everest… and Ranger is now (sold in) 180 different countries, which is incredible.
“So, yeah, this is a great team here, and they will have opportunity in the future.”
