For some time now the reports and rumors about the all-new Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger have stopped, but as everyone could predict that wouldn’t last long. How come? Well, the tireless hands and cameras of spy photographers managed to catch 2019 Ford Ranger driving around Dearborn, Michigan with only a light camo on and without those heavy curtain-style coverings that are supposed to cover up the major styling elements.
This, of course, can mean two things – this is either the representation of what the Ford Ranger for the US market will look like, or it is just a temporary sheet metal skin hiding the American-market components that are being tested, with a possibility of unique design and style to the US spec Ranger. Both of these can be likely scenarios, but we believe that rest-of-world bodywork is the wrong answer when American buyers are considered.
Ford would be probably best off combining the toned down front and the rear end of the F-150 and keeping the rest-of-the-world sides pretty much the same. At this point, it is too early to predict or even try to guess, but nobody would be too surprised if the 2019 Ford Ranger adopts C-shaped headlights and a three-bar grille.
As far as the powertrains are considered, nothing is known so far for certain, but since it is Ford on US soil, the safest bet would be not to expect anything bigger than a V6 under the hood. On the other markets the Ranger is offered with a big range of diesel powered engines, but for Stateside, there are only two likely candidates. First one is the 3.0-liter Lion unit that’s going to find its way in the Ford F-150 for 2018. It is capable of producing around 254 HP and 440 lb-ft of torque which seems like a lot for a midsize pickup, but everything can be re-tuned and toned down. The second one is the 3.2 L diesel inline-five that Ford sells in the States in the Transit van and that one is good for 185 HP and 350 lb-ft of torque which is the closest to the Chevy Colorado’s 2.8 L Duramax’s 181 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque.
No matter what engine manages to fight its way under the hood of the 2019 Ford Ranger, it will be more than welcomed. But the truth is that everyone is slightly more enthusiastic about the Ford-GM’s new 10-speed automatic that is supposed to direct engines power to the tires. According to some reports that transmission is expected in both the new Bronco and the new Ranger. That is all for now if we manage to dig up something else, that is viable of course, be sure that you will be the first to know, so stay with us!
