Ford Ranger PHEV tech details and new model: Stormtrak approaching

David Linklater
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Ranger PHEV retains 3.5-tonne tow rating.

Ranger PHEV retains 3.5-tonne tow rating.

Ford has revealed more detail about the Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at the IAA Transportation show Germany, ahead of the model's New Zealand launch early next year.

Ford Ranger PHEV Stormtrak.
Stormtrak is all dressed up with special Chill Grey colour and graphics.

The company will offer the South African-built PHEV in the familiar XLT, Sport and Wildtrak specifications, but there will also be a new model exclusive to the plug-in: Stormtrak. 

Stormtrak wears special 18-inch alloys, honeycomb grille, fender vents and decals. It has matrix LED lights, the flexible rack system (FRS), Pro Trailer Backup Assist, a 360-degree camera and B&O sound system.

The Range PHEV powertrain combines a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine with plug-in hybrid system. Still no combines power or torque figures for the overall powertrain, although Ford has previously said the PHEV will have more torque than any other Ranger - so it will be in excess of 600Nm.

Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV.
Ford says 45km EV range is sufficient for most Ranger owners.

However, Ford has revealed that the electric motor is 75kW and the plug-in battery pack offers 11.8kWh (usable). The "targeted" EV range is "over 45km"; Ford has previously said that connected-services data shows half of existing Ranger owners drive less than 40km per day and 80% do three or more short trips per day.

Pro Power Onboard enables customers to draw up to 6.9kW directly from the vehicle's battery to power work or personal equipment, effectively replacing a generator. There's a cabin socket with 2.3kW and two outlets in the tray with individual outlets of 3.45kW.

Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV.
Pro Power Onboard allows Ranger to replace separate generator for tools and equipment.

A new modular hybrid transmission (MHT) integrates the e-motor between the petrol engine and gearbox; the traction battery is packaged between specially designed chassis rails. Ranger maintains its 3.5-tonne tow capacity as a PHEV.

The powertrain will offer four modes: Auto EV, EV Now (all-electric), EV Later (reserves a proportion of charge) and EV Charge (the petrol engine charges the battery).

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