Ford says it’s new Ranger PHEV Ute is the ‘best tool for the job’, despite the fact that it does not match important rivals on the battery capacity, the power and the electric driving range.
Launch on the Australian market last month prior to imminent customer deliveries, plug-in hybrid versions of the ranger are propelled by the combination of a 2.3-liter turbo-petrol four cylinder engine and a rear electromotor, which produce a combined 207 kW of power and 697 NM torque.
The electric motor sources of an 11.8 kWh lithium ion battery, which dives on the electric driving range of the UTE on a claimed 49 km on the NEDC cycle.
The Ranger PHEV is one of the three plug-in hybrid Utes that are now available under, in addition to the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV. Both Chinese rivals surpass the Ranger on Power, EV range and fuel efficiency and question the competitiveness of the newest model from Ford.
However, Ford hangs his hat on the superior charge and drag capacity of Ranger PHEV. All variants can drag a maximum of 3500 kg and the payloads vary between 808-973 kg.
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The Cannon Alpha is the same as Ford’s Ranger in the towing messages, but neither the GWM (790 kg) nor the BYD (685kg) promise an equivalent charge.
It is those attributes that appreciate local Ute buyers the most, according to Senior Ford Product Executive, Jim Baumbick.
“We have always tried to develop the best tool for the job,” Mr Baumbick Australian media told the international launch of the Ranger PHEV.
“When you talk to truck customers, they want payload and drag. EV range is important, but in context when you add more battery, you work against the payload and drag.
“You can increase the battery size, but then you have to increase the size of other parts to bear that weight. It is about system optimization. We think it is the right balance for a first application.”
Ford also spits the vehicle-to-load loading options (V2L) of the Ranger PHEV. It has a few 15A stop contacts, with which owners can connect electrical applications to the vehicle to use it as a generator. Ford calls this ‘Pro Power on Board’ and it offers a total capacity of 6900W, which exceeds the capacity of both Shark 6 and Cannon Alpha PHEV.
In the end, Ford tried to make an electrified version of the best -selling vehicle in Australia that performs better than his diesel stablets while he remains faithful to the roots of the Ranger brand.
“The PHEV is not only an alternative, it can do everything the diesel can do and something else. The truck is more capable because it is a hybrid. It still does trucks, but there is something new that it can do with exportable strength,” Mr Baumbick said.
“For us it was about optimizing the system for performance, dragging and possibilities. Our target was diesel [performance] Or better.
“It offers hybrid propulsion, [better] Fuel consumption and the super power of Pro Power on board.
“It is the right time for a PHEV and the unlocking of this new super power for Ranger. This will show our customers the benefits of electrification without considering what the truck can do.”
Of the three PHEV UTES that are now available in Australia, the ranger is the most expensive basis XLT is priced from $ 71.990 before on-road costs, more than the most expensive Canon Alpha PHEV and Shark 6.
BYD has already responded to the arrival of the Ranger PHEV and explains that it is not worried about the new electrified UTE.
“I would not say that we are worried,” said BYD Australia Senior Product Planning Manager, Sajid Hasan Carexper.
“We respect them, direct competitors, but we are more focused on ourselves and work on expanding the Shark 6 -Line -up and seeing where that brings us.”
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