I attended the launch of the new Ford Ranger at the end of last year, and I got to sample two of the top of the range, the 3.0 liter V6 turbodiesel Wildtrak and the 2.0 liter biturbo XLT. The V6 is all-new and the 2.0-liter is a revised offering from before.
Watch the single turbo Ford Ranger in action
Expectedly, my dyno seat told me that the V6 was the faster of the two. But it’s the 500 Nm bi-turbo that produces 154 kW, down from 157 kW, that starts off as an epic case of mistaken identity and mass confusion. I feel that despite the claimed drop in power, the refinement of the powertrain makes this bi-turbo faster than the outgoing model.
Fast forward a few months and I sent a Ford Ranger double cab XLT “biturbo” for a test. I’m a numbers guy, it’s written in my job title, Citizen Motoring Road Test Editor. I’m not paid to be emotional or criticize vehicle styling cues. I pay for the rope and tell you that A is faster than B and that’s exactly what I did with the Ranger who came to the door.
Racelogic VBOX test equipment loaded and powered up, I started my test routine. After the first run when the new Ranger was faster than the old one, I patted myself on the back because my initial feeling about the pace of the new Ranger was spot on.
Also read: WATCH: Hilux GR-S gives Ranger and Isuzu a bloody nose
Make one
Our long-term 157 kW/500 Nm Stormtrak hits 100 km/h in 12.70 seconds and the new XLT 11.74 seconds. It also gets over 60 to 140 km/h roll on pull in 19.86 seconds as opposed to 20.50 seconds for the Ford Ranger Stormtrak which is powered by biturbo diesel factory earlier.
An added bonus is that the XLT’s fuel consumption is also better at 8.6 liters per 100 km when compared to the Stormtrak’s numbers which come in at 10.4 liters per 100 km. The new Biturbo Ranger 2.0 liter is all better than before. Job done!
But when sitting on the track after the test, I commented on the fact that for XLT spec bakkie priced at R782 100 there is a distinct lack of bling and biturbo badging on this Ford Ranger. But you get over 20 Ranger models to choose from including single cab, super cab, double cab, 4×2, 4×4, V6, bi-turbo, single turbo, manual transmission, six-speed automatic and 10-speed. automatic. And I’ve only briefly led the two before, I felt I’m not in a position to comment on that matter.
Also Read: Read: The stunning new Ford Ranger Raptor makes a powerful statement
Gear of doubt
The thought began to haunt me. Why doesn’t this Ranger test have biturbo badging? And when I started I double checked and looked under the bonnet and saw only one turbo mounted on the side of the block.
The Ford Ranger’s cluster doesn’t show you what gear you’re in and when I checked the manual gear change, this XLT only had six gears. Hang on, where are the other four gears in the 10-speed box mated to the biturbo?
I was first told by PR Ford SA and the fleet people that they only have XLTs biturbo in the test fleet and what I have sent. I took pictures, I took videos, I checked the data again and again to refute this, because this is a single blower and gearbox combination rated at only 125 kW and 405 Nm, reserved for the cheaper and less powerful R669 800 SiT XLT . copy.
Ford Ranger puzzle
I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and I’d like to think I’ve seen it all while trying. But the performance test numbers just don’t add up and there is no way this single turbo can outrun more powerful biturbo, 80 kg lighter than the previous generation. But it is only done, and with some limits.
Does Ford SA keep its great performance and better price a secret, from us at SiT XLT, or am I completely crazy? We will find out in a few weeks time when I get my hands on a “real” Ford Ranger biturbo XLT and go back to Gerotek to reveal the new numbers. Only then can we start comparing it with the big rival Toyota Hilux.
Road test results
| Ford | Ranger 2.0 SiT double cabin XLT 4×4 |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2022 |
| Odometer | 7 460 km |
| Test date | 13/02/2023 |
| Test the temperature | 18 degrees |
| POWERTRAIN | |
| Engine capacity | 2.0 liters |
| Induction | single turbo |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| drive wheels | AWD |
| Transmission | Six-speed automatic |
| ENGINE OUTPUT | |
| power | 125 kW @ 3500 rpm |
| Torque | 405 Nm @ 1 750 – 2 500 rpm |
| Mass license | 2 300 kg |
| Power to weight | 54 kW/ton |
| Power to capacity | 63 kW/liter |
| DATA ACCELERATION | |
| 0-100 km/h | 11.74 seconds |
| 1/4 Mile time | 18.09 seconds |
| 1/4 Speed | 122.71 km/h |
| 1/2 Mile time | 28.72 seconds |
| 1/2 Speed | 147.53 km/h |
| Top Speed (Claimed) | 175 km/h |
| 60-100 km/h | 6.95 seconds |
| 80-120 km/h | 9.59 seconds |
| 60-140 km/h | 19.86 seconds |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION DATA | |
| It is claimed to save fuel | 6.9 liters / 100 km |
| Test average | 8.6 liters / 100 km |
| Tank size | 80 liters |
| The range is claimed | 1 159 km |
| Distance test | 930 km |
| CO2 emissions | 181 g/km |
| TIRE | |
| Size | 265/65 R18 |
| Do it | Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT/S |
| PRICE | |
| Price in test | R699 800 |
| Warranty | 4-Year / 120 000 km |
| Maintenance / service plan | Optional |