This road-biased performance Ranger will be exclusive to Europe for the time being.
While many manufacturers have been making their pickup trucks more rugged and off-road ready, the simple fact of the matter is that the majority of these urbanised utilitarian vehicles these days spend most of their time on tarmac anyway.
So to those urban cowboys out there who are looking for the ultimate street-focused pickup truck, Ford of Europe might just have the answer with its new Ranger MS-RT. Sitting alongside the off-road ready Ranger Raptor, this new road-biased version of Europe’s best selling pickup is has quite a lot going for it with regards to those who will be spending more time in the concrete jungle instead of the actual jungle.
Based on the Ranger Wildtrak and available in both Super Cab or Double Cab body styles, this new MS-RT spec pickup gains a sleeker looking front end, courtesy of a hand-built front fascia which features a honeycomb carbon fibre-effect grille and integrated fog lights. Carbon fibre-effect mirror caps, an aerodynamic load bar and MS-RT badges are also added to the exterior, to further highlight that more aggressive look.
Continuing on the exterior enhancements, 20-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels, extended wheel arches and sculpted side skirts meanwhile gives this pickup a more purposeful stance. A ‘Maxhaust app-controlled (exhaust) soundbox’ is also supposedly available as a dealer-install option, just to better hear the diesel rumble from under the hood.
On the topic what is under the hood, it would appear that the 2.0 litre twin-turbocharged EcoBlue oil burner from its Wildtrak counterpart unfortunately remains untickled on this performance version. That being said, the 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque on tap that is sent to all four wheels through the 10-speed automatic transmission (which Ford reminds us is shared with the Mustang) is certainly still rather potent, especially for a pickup truck.
In fact, this four-cylinder is capable of not only rocketing this Ranger MS-RT to 100 km/h in a respectable (for a pickup) 10.5 seconds, but more importantly is still be able to tow up to 3,500 kg, not to mention haul up to a tonne of payload in its bed too.
Turning our attention towards the interior of this ‘high-end, street-focused’ Ranger, the MS-RT treatment brings with it ‘premium leather trim with contrast orange stitching’, not to mention custom detailing for floor mats and scuff plates. As for in-car tech, the notable highlights in this particular pick-up includes ambient lighting, heated front seats and Ford’s 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system with integrated reverse camera.
Available in either Frozen White, Sea Grey or Agate Black, the Ranger MS-RT will arrive in select European Ford dealerships from the summer of this year. There is no word yet though on whether this street-focused variant will ever arrive here.
Then again, seeing as Ford’s other performance MS-RT light commercial vehicles, like the Transit Custom and Transit Connect MS-RT vans, and Transit Custom Nugget camper van, has yet to make its way outside of Europe, it would be perhaps be a long time coming till the Ranger Raptor over here would gets its street-biased equivalent.
PRESS RELEASE: Ford today announced an exclusive new model of the award-winning Ranger pick-up developed in partnership with vehicle design specialists MS-RT, combining a stunning motorsport-inspired appearance with a premium specification and unique, hand-finished detailing.
The new Ranger MS-RT offers customers a high-end, street-focused version of Europe’s best- selling pick-up that sits alongside the desert-race-influenced Ford Ranger Raptor at the pinnacle of the Ranger line-up. The new vehicle is derived from the Ranger Wildtrak, sharing its generous equipment, one-tonne payload and choice of Super Cab or Double Cab body styles. The exclusive Ranger MS-RT will be available from Ford dealers in select European markets from summer 2021.
Imposing appearance, refined details
Ranger MS-RT’s unique exterior includes a hand-built front fascia featuring a honeycomb carbon fibre-effect grille and integrated fog lights. The striking side profile adds to the sporty character while 20-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels, extended wheel arches and sculpted side skirts create a purposeful stance. Frozen White, Sea Grey or Agate Black paints emphasise the imposing styling, embellished by carbon fibre-effect mirror caps, an aerodynamic load bar and MS-RT badges.
The Ranger MS-RT cabin features premium leather trim with contrast orange stitching. Ambient lighting and heated front seats create a comfortable environment, while MS-RT detailing for floor mats and scuff plates adds a bespoke feel. Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity and navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen simplifies access to communication and entertainment features, and the rear-view camera helps when parking or hitching to a trailer.
Ford’s range-topping Bi-turbo 213 PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine delivers outstanding performance and pulling power while also offering car-like refinement and optimised fuel efficiency.
Fitted with the advanced 10-speed automatic transmission shared with the Ford Mustang sports car, the powertrain delivers 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque to move payloads of up to 1,098 kg and a towing weight of 3,500 kg. Ranger’s selectable four-wheel drive system is retained for optimum traction off-road, while a Maxhaust app-controlled soundbox is available as a dealer-fit option for customers desiring a sporty soundtrack.
MS-RT is a Qualified Vehicle Modifier working with established Ford motorsport partner M-Sport, applying World Rally Championship-winning experience to create strikingly modified versions of Ford’s market-leading commercial vehicles.
As the latest vehicle in Ford’s One-Stop Shop, Ranger MS-RT joins an exciting range of conversions built to exacting factory standards and available directly through Ford dealers, including the Transit Custom and Transit Connect MS-RT vans, and Transit Custom Nugget camper van.
