Raptor power for 2019 Ford Ranger

Ford Australia has announced specifications for the upgraded 2019 Ford Ranger line-up, which will be topped by the $74,990 Ranger Raptor super-ute when it goes on sale in September.

The headline act of the PXIII Ranger line-up is the availability of the same new 157kW/500Nm twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission seen in the Raptor, as an option in up-spec XLT and Wildtrak variants.

No pricing has been announced yet, but expect the lusty little diesel to come with a price premium over the standard XLT and Wildtrak 4x4 dual-cabs, which continue with the proven 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel and currently cost $55,490 and $59,590 respectively.

Importantly, the Ranger BiTurbo models, as Ford calls them, will tow up to 3500kg – matching other 3.2-litre Rangers and bettering the Raptor’s suspension-limited 2500kg maximum towing capacity.

As in the Raptor, the BiTurbo engine develops 500Nm from 1750rpm (like the 3.2 but only until 2000rpm, not 2500) and incorporates a fixed primary turbocharger for bottom-end response and a variable-geometry turbo for midrange and top-end power.

The other big-ticket item for the MY19 Ranger is the arrival of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which was first seen in this segment in the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

However, the Ranger's ‘Inter-Urban’ AEB system, which operates at speeds above 3.6km/h and includes pedestrian detection, is only standard in the top-shelf Ranger Wildtrak and optional on XLT models as part of a ‘Tech Pack’, pricing for which is yet to be revealed.

The same goes for Traffic Sign Recognition and Active Park Assist automatic parallel parking, which join Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning in being standard on Wildtrak and optional on XLT.

Standard for all pick-up models, however, is the Ranger’s new ‘easy-lift’ tailgate featuring a new internal mechanism. Ford says the Ranger’s tailgate is now lighter to lift, thanks to a 70 per cent reduction in initial force required to raise it for closing, which also makes it easier to lower.

Other new Ranger technologies for MY19 include Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) keyless entry and push-button start -- as standard on XLT and Wildtrak, and optional on XLS models.

SYNC 3 infotainment – with 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, Emergency Assistant, Google Maps, Apple Maps, reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard – continues as standard on XLT and Wildtrak and is now optional on XLS models.

Owners of SYNC 3-equipped vehicles receive complementary map updates for up to seven years when a scheduled service is completed at a participating dealer.

This year’s Ranger upgrade – the second since the Australian-developed T6 model was launched in 2011 – also brings mild cosmetic updates, many of which should appear on the facelifted Everest SUV that will beat the 2019 Ranger to market in August.

These include a “cleaner” new grille with ‘nostrils’, a more distinctively chiselled lower bumper with broader intake and, for Wildtrak and XLT models, LED daytime running lights and HID headlights.

Further differentiating the model range which continues to open with the Ranger XL cab-chassis, are new bumper treatments such as chrome brightwork for the XLT and Monument accents for the Wildtrak.

The latter also scores a new ‘Sabre’ orange hero colour with blonde accents, dark grey grille surrounds, rear sports-bar and optional black-finish 18-inch alloys.

Inside, premium models come with a new black trim theme with contrasting elements including shadow chrome and silver accent stitching.

The Australian-spec Ranger misses out on the steel front bumper, rear brake discs, opening rear window and EcoBoost petrol engines of the North American version (pictured in the video below), which will be built and sold in the US from early 2019.

Our Ranger engine line-up will continue to include the 118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder turbo-diesel at base level, as well as six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, 2WD and 4WD, and single-cab, extra-cab and dual-cab body styles.

Also new for MY19 is upgraded suspension, which Ford claims improves smoothness, refinement, dynamics, body control – particularly when fully-laden or towing – and off-road ability.

It says body roll is reduced, ride comfort improved and steering precision increased thanks to suspension geometry changes – with no impact on the Ranger’s class-matching towing and payload capabilities.

“We’ve further improved how Ranger behaves when carrying a load, towing a boat or taking a caravan around the country,” said Ranger chief program engineer John Willems.

“Ranger is now better to drive when it’s working its hardest. It makes it easier to handle, so you can really make the most of its payload and towing capabilities, and helps to reduce fatigue on long trips, too.

“These suspension changes across the range have been thoroughly tried and tested at the You Yangs Proving Ground, where we have a brutal new off-road test track. They not only mean we have greater comfort, but make the Ranger an even more capable off-roader, which is something that we know buyers are looking for.”

Ford Australia President and CEO Graeme Whickman said the Aussie-engineered, Thai-built Ranger – the nation’s top-selling 4x4 pick-up in 2017 -- has now chalked up the equivalent of 5.5 million kilometres of testing at its Victorian facilities, as well as in the Aussie Outback, Arizona and Michigan.

“The Australian market has shifted in a relatively short timeframe, pushing pick-ups like Ranger towards the top of the sales charts,” said

“It’s also seen new buyers come in to the segment, especially at the premium end, which is why we’ve made Ranger more refined and more capable at an even wider variety of uses.”

To sweeten the Ranger deal, Ford Australia is offering a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as standard with every vehicle sold from May 1.

Key changes/options for 2019 Ford Ranger PX III (see text for details)
>> Optional 157kW/500Nm twin-turbo 2.0-litre turbo-diesel
>> Ten-speed automatic
>> AEB
>> Speed sign recognition and active parking
>> Easy-lift tailgate
>> Keyless entry and start
>> SYNC 3 infotainment