General Motors bet big on reintroducing all-new mid-size pickups with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. That bet paid off. Big time. Now, Ford will attempt to emulate the success with a reborn Ranger for the U.S. market, and spy photographers captured the pickup wearing production bodywork.
Ford Authority reported Tuesday that the Ranger shown is likely an FX4 model with more off-road aspirations. The meatier tires, a front skid plate and a raised ride height are the biggest giveaways. It’s unclear how Ford will position its powertrain strategy, but this prototype reportedly ran a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 may arrive for higher trims, too.
Chevrolet currently offers a four-cylinder, V6, and turbodiesel four-cylinder engine in the Colorado and Canyon pickups, so we could see a diesel-powered Ranger also join the range. As for a Colorado ZR2 rival, Ford previously confirmed the Ranger Raptor is forthcoming, but only confirmed it for the Australian market thus far.
With a production body in place, we’ll likely see the Ranger bow next year ahead of its on-sale date in 2019. Meanwhile, the next-generation Colorado and Canyon pickups reportedly won’t arrive until 2022.
Spy shots: Motor1
Comments
Waster of Time…
Ford has been talking about this for years now.(3 if I remember correctly) I’m looking forward to seeing it here in the states but talk is cheap. Having the Ranger everywhere in the world but here makes me wonder what the hold up is. In Asia the Ranger is everywhere.(in a diesel). Talk is cheap and so far Ford has taken cheap talk to the bank. After all its not like they have to build this truck from the ground up. The Asian model was a great looking truck and would sell nicely here in the states. GM and Toyota have been putting up great sales number on their midsize truck. Ford needs to poop or get off the pot IMHO. Put the diesel motor in it and see what happens even with the Asian model.
I was in LA last year and new a new ranger in a parking garage. I don’t keep up with them so I just figured it was the new model. So I’m guessing it had to be brought from overseas? It was pretty sharp looking and had ranger in big bold letters on the tailgate.
Odds are it was from Mexico. They are seen in So Cal from time to time.
It will be built in the USA as the die shop I work for just finished the stamping dies for the new Ranger tailgate amongst a lot of other parts.
NA
was in Sydney recently and saw a Ranger.. was a stripped down model however so was hard to get excited.. BUT, size was right. Looked at new Tacoma.. they look great but back set legroom is a non-starter for me.. I currently own a 2013 Raptor and love it.. but a bit big around town. almost bought a Canyon Denali recently.. rides nice, well appointed interior but had that “i’m a 20-year old” design feel on the interior and safety features were so-so.. i almost got sucked in as it was $37k for top of the line,,, $7k off.. but in the end it just didn’t get me excited so i passed.. If they do a Raptor version of the Ranger for the US… look out.. will be awesome
The Ranger is not so much a threat to GM as it will be to the CUV line at Ford. Just as at Chevy many of the Ranger buyers went to the CUV line after the other trucks went off the market.
Few people cross from GM to Ford or Ford to GM.
Ford was reluctant as they were investing in the new F150 with Aluminum and Turbo V6 engines and they did not want to cloud things with a new Ranger that they were not sure how it would go. GM took the dive and it has worked well for them.
Right now the Taco is stagnate. The changes are little and slow. The interior sits odd and the lack of power compared to the others is noticeable.
The Ford effort will have one major issue. As of last report it will only come in a CCSB. No extended cab or CCLB like GM or Toyota.
This is a specialized segment that has its fans. I am one as I want a truck but not a large one.
I have the Denali Canyon and I got it below $40K and love it. I would not have paid more but for what I paid it is a great truck. Only real beef is I would love to have a little more bolster on the seats and a sun roof. But the vented seats and the heated wheel are things you never though you needed but now I would not want to be caught with out.
Back when the Ranger was dropped in USA market the new 2012 design overseas was tough and kickass.. If people had any true education would see GM and other car makers stole the Ford fusion, focus, fiesta, and rangers designs from Ford… Talk so tough big about Chevys small truck but its really a Ranger just a Chevy badge like the impala, cruze, malibu, then 200 from chry, Hyundai sonata, Kia optima, etc… So shows Ford still leading the way in designs.. Oh and I can prove this by 2012 2013 fusion 2011 focus 2012 overseas ranger…
Yes I can see how Ford is a leader to Bankruptcy. Stock prices at $12.56???
The fact is even GM at $41.31 could be better but it has been improving.
Truth come back when you can drop the fan boy BS and really live up to your name. The Ranger was delayed as Ford did not believe in it under the past CEO. He was fired and we now are getting it after a refresh. It will help Ford but they have many other issues that need to be looked at.