Ford adds even more variants to Ranger line-up

JUST when it looked like Ford could not possibly add any more variants to its local Ranger line-up, the Blue Oval has done exactly that with the reveal of the 4x2 XL Sport along with the revelation the 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine is now available on the 4x4 XL range.

Beyond the new variants, the brand has also updated its work-focused 4x4 XL Heavy Duty Special Edition for 2021 in line with customer feedback to “ensure that tradies and businesses all across the country have the right equipment and support to get on with the job”.

In the case of the 4x2 XL Sport ($43,790 plus on-roads), this largely translates to a more attractive ute with a few extra bells and whistles pinched from the higher-spec XLS like black 16-inch alloy wheels, black sportsbar, a black bedliner, black side steps, black grille, black rear bumper a and unique ‘Sport’ decal on the tailgate.

Power in the Sport will match the rest of the 4x2 XL range in coming from the familiar turbocharged 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 118kW/385Nm, all of which is fed exclusively to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

As for the new 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4x4 XLs – super-cab chassis, dual-cab chassis and dual-cab pick-up – Ford has priced the new trio just $1500 clear of their respective 3.2-litre counterparts.

“The Ranger XL series has long been associated with the tried and tested 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre TDCi engines, which have been the backbone of fleet customer ‘work’ solutions in the pick-up space,” the brand said in a statement.

Effectively serving to offer more options to buyers, the bi-turbo engine is paired exclusively to a 10-speed automatic transmission and while it offers more power and torque than the other powertrains, it does nothing to improve on the five-cylinder’s 3500kg braked towing capacity.

When asked if the gradual expansion of the 2.0TT line-up was an indication the five-cylinder’s days were numbered, a Ford Australia spokesperson said there was “no news to share on any changes” to the Ranger’s engine line-up.

Making a return to the model range meanwhile is an updated version of the XL 4x4 Heavy Duty Special Edition ($52,790), the revisions to which consist of the amalgamation of two previously separate options packs.

Available exclusively in white and as a 4x4 dual-cab chassis, the XL Heavy Duty Special Edition has been created by kitting out a regular XL with a genuine steel bull bar fitted with an LED light bar as well as mounting points for driving lights and UHF antennas, a genuine Ford snorkel, 17-inch steel wheels shod with Continental all-terrain rubber, heavy-duty rear suspension designed to cope better with heavy loads, black side steps and a rearview camera.

The other notable update made to the range for the new model year is the addition of radar cruise control to all XLT variants, a feature that was previously only available as part of the ‘tech pack’.

Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic said the updates would make the “Ranger even more convenient for those who spend a lot of time on the road”.

“With the new XL Sport and 4x4 XL Heavy Duty Special Edition variants, we’re working hard to ensure that tradies and businesses all across the country have the right equipment and support to get on with the job,” he said.

“And our 4x4 XL customers will have even more choice with the inclusion of our premium Bi-Turbo powertrain, while adding Adaptive Cruise Control as standard to XLT, a decision based on customer feedback and Ford Australia’s desire to continually improve our product.”

Ford Australia has sold 9115 Ranger 4x4s and 888 4x2s so far this year ending March, amounting to 10,003 units – 1069 units more than over the same period last year (8934).

2021 Ford Ranger pricing*