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Shown earlier this year, the plug-in hybrid will combine the 2.3 EcoBoost petrol engine with an electric motor for a confirmed EV range of 45 km.
In a confirmation of rumours first unearthed two years ago, Ford Motor Company South Africa has announced it will be producing, and exporting, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ranger from its Silverton Plant outside Pretoria from next year.
Announced at its 100th year celebration festivities at Silverton on Wednesday, the confirmation of the plug-in hybrid model forms part of a R5.2-billion investment on top of the record R15.8-billion invested into facility for production of the current T6.2 Ranger two years ago.
Reported in 2021 as forming part of the then still-to-be revealed T6.2 Ranger range, the Ranger PHEV, additionally to be made solely in South Africa as reports from earlier this year, alleged will be exported to amongst other markets, Europe, New Zealand and Australia, in addition to be sold locally from late next year.
Until now, models bound for Australasia originate from the Rayong plant in Thailand, with the selection of Silverton representing the first time Ford South Africa will export vehicles to the markets in more than a decade.
Showed in September this year based on the double cab Wildtrak, the PHEV combines the 2.3 EcoBoost petrol engine from the North American Ranger, Mustang and Australia-only new Volkswagen Amarok with an electric motor and battery pack of still unknown capacity and power delivery.
Offering an all-electric range of 45 km, the setup, according to a 2021 claim by Australia’s carexpert.com.au, produces an alleged 270kW/680Nm, which, if indeed accurate, will make the Ranger PHEV torquier than the current Ranger Raptor, whose twin-turbo 3.0 EcoBoost V6 develops 292kW/583Nm in South African-spec.
Article being updated as more details become available
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