Ford has revealed its new Ford Ranger MS-RT pick-up truck based on the styling of the M-Sport rally team.
Designed to be the ultimate street truck, the newest in a long line of Rangers that include the Ford Ranger Raptor, Platinum, Wildtrak X, Wildtrak and Ford Ranger Tremor, the new MS-RT Ranger gets the powerful 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing 237hp and 600Nm of torque.
Apparently inspired by extreme Ranger racing trucks that compete in Asia, the Ranger MS-RT gets a honeycomb grille and integrated splitter.
The visual appearance of the truck is lowered by the sculpted side skirts, while at the rear there is a distinctive bumper with an integrated diffuser.
The tailgate has MS-RT graphics and gets an exclusive ducktail spoiler that no other regular model in the line-up has. There’s also an additional cab spoiler which is to assist with overall aerodynamic balance and high-speed stability of the pick-up.
It gets diamond cut 21-inch wheels – the largest size of wheels ever to have been offered on a Ford Ranger – that have been wrapped in low-profile 275/45 R21 tyres.
The wheel arches have been flared to extend the overall width by 82mm at the front and the rear. Ford has also increased the track by 40mm at each side to help improve the grip of the truck.
The suspension has been reconfigured with new, firmer dampers at the front, a retuned rear suspension set-up and an overall 40mm height reduction.
Perhaps most importantly, for businesses wanting to reclaim the VAT, the Ranger MS-RT has a 1-tonne load-carrying capacity making it a proper commercial vehicle.
On the inside the double-cab seats are now more supportive and the seat backs on the front seats have been made to look sportier. Like the new Transit Custom MS-RT which has also been revealed, the interior uses non-animal Eco-Leather and suede with distinctive MS-RT pattern and blue stitching. There are plenty of MS-RT badges across the seats, dash and floor mats.
The Ranger MS-RT will come in a range of colours that include Conquer Grey, with Agate Black painted mirror caps and door handles.
The Ford Ranger MS-RT price at launch will be £49,300 ex VAT, making it the joint most expensive model in the Ranger line-up alongside the Ford Ranger Raptor. In comparison the Ford Ranger Platinum is nearly £3k less at £46,450 ex VAT.
