Currently, there are only two mid-size diesel trucks in the United States that offer a diesel engine, and they both come come from General Motors. They are the Chevrolet Colorado diesel and GMC Canyon diesel. Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger – the newest competitor to the Colorado and Canyon – is offered with just one powertrain option – a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission (the one co-developed by Ford and GM). But recent spy photos showed Ford Ranger diesel prototype undergoing testing for the first time in the United States, bringing up the notion that one of the primary Colorado and Canyon rivals could soon get a diesel engine option. Such a move would definitely increase the Ranger’s appeal, especially to customers looking at GM’s diesel-powered offerings, thereby challenging Chevy and GMC in their own game.
Chevrolet Colorado Diesel
Ford has two turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines that it could offer in the Ranger Diesel. The first is a 2.0L single-turbo making 158 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque. That’s less than the 2.3L EcoBoost, which produces 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Then there’s the diesel engine offered in the Ranger Raptor, which – at the moment – is not offered in North America. It’s a twin-turbo version of the same 2.0L diesel mill, except that the additional turbo increases output to 210 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque.
The later engine makes the most sense if Ford plans to pit the Ranger diesel against the diesel-powered Colorado and Canyon, which are powered by GM’s 2.8L I-4 LWN Duramax engine making 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. That’s comparable to the twin-turbo diesel from Ford.
GMC Canyon Diesel
If Ford does come to offer a Ranger diesel variant to fight the Colorado and Canyon diesel, then not only will it pose a threat to The General’s offerings, but it could also persuade other segment contenders to follow suit in offering diesel engine options in their midsize pickups. Jeep recently introduced the Gladiator pickup truck with a gasoline engine, but a turbo-diesel is expected to join the lineup in the near future. Meanwhile, Toyota and Nissan could also jump on the opportunity.
Head on over to our sister site, Ford Authority, to see spy photos of the potential Ranger Diesel. The photos are worth a look, since Ford played a few tricks to mask the diesel nature of the prototype.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Colorado news, GMC Canyon news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The lack of a Diesel is the least of the problems with the Ranger.
Car and Drive just ripped the Ranger. The Colorado got first. Even the new Jeep got thrashed for ride, handling and even how the longer wheelbase is a problem off road.
And it’s just not car and driver complaining. I havent found a positive review of it yet.
All true. But despite the negative reviews, someone is buying them (for whatever reason)… so I wouldn’t take Ford’s entry into this space lightly, especially given the strong retail network that’s more dynamic than that of Chevy/GMC, Ford’s image in trucks, and – last but not least – Ford’s massive commercial ties and contracts.
Moreover, the next-gen Ranger will have higher levels of scale (and thus the potentially for higher quality parts and more variants) as a result of the recently-announced Ford-VW commercial vehicles partnership.
Who is taking them lightly?
Their first attempt was a miss but no one said a second would be.
The real key is GM will update soon too and could be working from behind. Well they are not and have an opportunity to extend their lead. Let’s just hope they make the most of the gift they were given here.
While a growing segment MFGs appear to be reluctant to invest in this segment. I hope GM does not do the same.
I agree that this Ranger isn’t exactly setting the segment on fire. They will sell their share regardless to the Ford crowd looking for a midsize pickup. Those buyers who are little more open minded will be harder to win over with this Ranger. The diesel option in the Ranger gives them an opportunity to develop the engine and the diesel market. It makes sense, just like GM putting the 2.7T in the Colorado MCE makes sense. I will say I was surprised that the Ranger turned out to be so disappointing. I knew it was an import but I didn’t think it would be so uncompetitive.
Just hope GM don’t take the attitude of hey we won so why do we need to make improvements? Especially seeing as in many cases where they lose comparison, tests and still don’t make the necessary improvements to be more competitive.
I like the Colorado and hope the make any and all necessary changes and improvement to remain competitive and even improve their standing.
“Diesel Potentially Spied” ?????
Grammar, Boys. Grammar.
“Potential Diesel Spied”.
When i was in Thailand last September, the fresh vegetable and fruit delivery guy, came around every second day with the Ford Ranger with the 2.0 liter diesel. It was a 2018 model year. It was no use asking about fuel consumption as there are 10 to 12 million people in Bangkok and all the traffic is basically city type driving, stop and go, except after about 9 PM.
The next Colorado needs to be a home run hit. The sales numbers on the new Ranger are surprising to me somewhat. It drives home just how strong the Ford name is on a truck and the brand loyalty that it carries. This point was made with the Powerstroke 6.0-6.4 fiasco. Many Ford buyers were burned by those boat anchors of motors. Billions spent in lawsuits and what did it cost Ford in sales of diesel pickups? Not a lot, they currently sell more than GM or Ram. Some buyers swore they would never buy another Ford product, but by and large they remain on top of the diesel market in sales. GM and Ram would not have survived that same situation. The story is the same in the midsize market. If the Taco could be badged as a GM product with its current content, the sales numbers would be epically low. Toyota’s name in that market is way stronger than the product itself. Great place to be. It is not enough for the Colorado to be better than its competition. It needs to be completely dominate. That means the little Dmax needs more hp to improve drivability and both engines need the 10 speed along with adding all the content that has been discussed at length here. The importance of this next gen Colorado is critical. GM aimed too low with the 2019 half ton interior, and now they are scrambling to stop the sales bleeding with a MCE. GM don’t jack this up as well.