Ford has made it crystal clear that the current-generation Ranger was developed from day one with electrification in mind. However, the midsize truck is currently available only with gasoline and diesel engines but it looks as though a hybrid is coming sooner rather than later. The Blue Oval has taken to the X (formerly known as Twitter) social media platform to share a cryptic teaser video that we believe foretells a hybrid version of the workhorse.<\/p>\n
Ford Australia writes that “the best of both worlds is coming” while its UK counterpart says, \u201cwhy compromise if you could get the best of both worlds?\u201d along with adding a lighting bolt icon. Logic tells us these are hints of an electrified powertrain, possibly a plug-in hybrid with an unspecified amount of pure electric range. Other regional Ford accounts on X such as the ones from Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy have all shared the teaser clip, suggesting the electrified Ranger will be largely available across Europe.<\/p>\n
It’s unclear what sort of hybrid powertrain is earmarked for the Ranger since the one used for the Kuga\/Espace doesn\u2019t seem powerful enough for a large and heavy truck. In addition, the PHEV compact crossover is only offered with front-wheel drive. Unverified reports are claiming that Ford wants to pair the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with one or more electric motors, which would represent a novelty among the company’s plug-in hybrids.<\/p>\n
All the details will be disclosed next week as Ford will introduce the electrified Ranger on September 19.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We won’t be too surprised if the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok will also get the hybrid treatment at some point considering it’s a sister model by riding on the same updated T6 platform. As a matter of fact, the “German” body-on-frame truck is assembled by Ford at its plant in South Africa. The first-gen, VW-developed Amarok is still in production at the factory in Pacheco, Argentina for South American regions.<\/p>\n