Ford working on new small truck
Ford working on new small truck
Posted on December 27, 2018
The ink is barely dry on the final production drawing of the Ranger and Ford is already apparently planning another. This time it’s a smaller pickup that will be smaller than the Ranger and perhaps use a new unibody platform currently in the design phase.
The rumour which is currently making the rounds is that Ford have been mulling a smaller lighter truck for a while and have been putting ideas together for a few months. It is expected to use a unibody setup that could potentially use the upcoming global Focus platform. This platform uses a transverse engine arrangement with smaller displacement motors.
This rumour is being linked with the Courier name which Ford trademarked a couple of years ago. Whether there is any meat to this rumour has yet to be seen but courier is an apt name for a small truck. It is also the name of a truck sold in South America for a while which was based on a Ford Fiesta.
The guys over at Ford Authority think the name may in fact be Ranchero instead. Bringing back this nameplate would resonate well with previous fans of pickups based on car platforms so this isn’t out of the question either.
2019 Ford Ranger
The first reviews of the 2019 Ford Ranger make for interesting reading. They are all overwhelmingly positive and some even glowing. Many complement the car-like handling and drive characteristics of the new truck, the very capable engine and that smooth ten speed transmission. The looks aren’t bad either.
It looks enough like the F-150 to know it’s a member of the family but different enough to know it’s not a clone. It’s a small truck with a big personality and is going to be a hit. That’s not just my pro-Ranger bias coming out here, that’s a fact. It won’t outsell the F-150 but I bet it will outsell all of its competitors from other manufacturers.
The 2.3-litre turbocharged four cylinder is tried and tested and everyone likes the Ford ten speed. While there are no other engine options as yet, this is the Goldilocks engine for now. Not too hot, not too cold but just right. With 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, there is enough power to do anything you need it to do.
The Ranger is a truck for all those buyers who wanted a truck but not something the size of an F-150. Those people who wanted the practicality and style of a cool truck without becoming a ‘truck guy’. The Tacoma did the same thing as did the Colorado and I am sure the Ranger is going to do the same thing.
The 2019 Ford Ranger is available now so check with Northway Ford Lincoln, 388 King George Road Brantford ON N3S 3N2 if you want to learn more.