There is an electric buzz around the latest vehicle to launch out of the Ford stable, with the Ranger PHEV Stormtrak shaking up the Aussie ute market in a big way.
While from the outside the Ranger Hybrid Stormtrak slots in nicely in visual comparison to the rest of the Ford Ranger line-up, there is one rather large difference tucked away in the engine bay, with the newest addition to the range sporting a Plug-in Hybrid 2.3L EcoBoost turbo petrol engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full time four wheel drive system.
In addition to the top-of-the-line Stormtrak, Ford has also added the hybrid powertrain to its XLT, Sport and Wildtrak range of vehicles to ensure there is a PHEV Ranger for every purpose, all while retaining a 3500kg towing capacity.
Performance wise the petrol and electric combination pumps out a maximum 207kw of power and 697Nm of torque with a combined fuel economy of just 2.9L/100km, providing ample pulling power for large caravans or trailer loads and plenty of low-down power to get the ute up and running, something that was a pleasant surprise as this type of performance is not usually associated with big utes!
Not only does the hybrid unit and battery allow the Ranger to run silently for around 40km in pure electric mode – which is plenty for daily duties to and from work, but the Pro Power Onboard system also acts as a generator on wheels.
Want to plug in tools, recharge batteries, run fridges or lights, boil a kettle or perhaps even power up your caravan? Whenever you need power at a work or campsite the Ranger PHEV can supply you with everything you need from its 6.9kw max output and 11.8kWh usable battery capacity.
What does this mean in real terms? You can comfortably run your caravan overnight before hitting the road and continuing on to your next destination!
There are two 15A tray sockets and a single 10A interior socket ready to go, with the positioning of the interior socket perfect for rear occupants to plug in a laptop and work away as needed.
What is also a clever feature is the ability to control when and how you want the EV power delivered.
Auto EV will switch seamlessly between petrol and electric power, EV Now delivers pure electric power to the wheels, EV Later allows you to store the battery power for later on – such as at campsites or worksites, and EV Charge will enable you to harness power through coasting and regenerative braking.
On the outside the Ranger Hybrid Stormtrak looks the business in its striking Chill Grey paintwork, C-Clamp headlights and LED rear lighting, while stylish 18-inch Asphalt Black alloy wheels are wrapped General Grabber All-Terrain tyres which form part of an optional upgrade.
The Ranger is also equipped with the popular flexible rack system which is extremely handy and as easy as ever to set up to suit your needs.
While the colour may not be for everyone, Ford has also added Agate Black to the Stormtrak’s colour range.
The Chill Grey colour scheme is also continued throughout the cabin of the Ranger Hybrid Stormtrak, with seating trim and colour matched paint accents in the steering wheel, door handles and centre console adding a really nice contrast to the leather and suede trim work.
The hybrid range of Rangers are also equipped with an 8-inch colour digital instrument cluster and configurable display and 12-inch colour multi-function touch screen display, while the top of the range Stormtrak also features a very high-quality Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker system to put you front and centre for all your in-car concerts.
What I found to be a really nice touch is the combination of both on-screen and physical buttons for climate and volume control.
Most manufacturers have leaned one way or the other in recent times, but Ford is putting the power back in owners’ hands by providing both options depending on your preference.
A nifty centre dial also controls your drive modes to easily switch between rear wheel drive, full time all wheel drive as well as 4-Low and 4-High options for more controlled off-roading, while drivers can switch between normal, eco, tow/haul, slippery, mud/ruts, sand and sport modes to ensure all conditions are a breeze behind the wheel.
The tow/haul mode also brings attention to a thoughtful feature that allows owners to dial in individual trailers to set up precise brake controller specifications as required, meaning at the press of a button you’re good to go if you have got a number of trailers, floats or caravans you need.
Backing up has also never been easier with the Pro Trailer assist, with the system steering for you with the simple turn of a knob.
There is also an abundance of safety and driver assistance packed into the Ranger line-up, with everything from lane assist and adaptive cruise control all the way through to traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring, parking sensors, rear view and 360-degree cameras, intelligent speed assistance, blind spot monitoring and everything in between.
The drive behind the wheel is absolutely phenomenal.
In pure EV mode the drive is silent as you would expect, but when the petrol engine seamlessly kicks in there is still very minimal engine and road noise to be heard inside the cabin – and the handling is also top notch – sharp and direct.
It is always impressive to see year-on-year just how far the trusty Aussie utes have developed and Ford has delivered in abundance with its Next-Gen Ranger.
There is plenty of stock ready to flow through the dealership at 199 Jubilee Highway West, Mount Gambier, so if you have been thinking about making the switch to a hybrid vehicle but need the practicality of a dual cab utility then be sure to contact Barry Maney Ford on 8721 3400 or pop down and check out the Ford Ranger Hybrid.
