Ford to offer widebody Ranger MS-RT in Europe

MS-RT, which stands for M–Sport Road Technology, is a partnership between its founder Edward Davies and M-Sport which started in 2015. M-Sport has a long history partnering with Ford to engineer and build its rallycars, including the current Puma Rally1 Hybrid, and also prepares cars for Global Rallycross and GT3 racing.

The MS-RT team of vehicle specialists takes the DNA of M-Sport’s motorsports programmes and uses that to produce modified road vehicles with a unique sporting character. The company has previously developed modified versions of Ford Pro’s earlier generation of Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Ranger models.

Ultimate street truck
This year, it has come out with the new Ranger MS-RT, designed to be the ultimate street truck. “If the Ranger Raptor is the ultimate off-road truck, then the Ranger MS-RT is the ultimate street truck,” said Hans Schep, General Manager, Ford Pro Europe.

“It’s a departure from what we usually see in this segment in Europe, but with more car-like driving dynamics and the towing and carrying capacity unchanged, we believe it will offer a compelling new option for pick-up customers,” he said.

Motorsport-inspired style
The Ranger MS-RT, with muscular motorsport-inspired styling, has an assertive front end with honeycomb grille and integrated splitter. The overall stance of the vehicle is lowered by the sculpted side skirts which give a widebody look. At the rear is a distinctive bumper with an integrated diffuser.

The rear tailgate comes with MS-RT graphics and an exclusive ducktail spoiler, which is complemented by a cab spoiler. The spoilers are not there just for sporty looks: they have been  optimised using computer simulations to assist with overall aerodynamic balance and to enhance high-speed stability.

The exclusive diamond-cut 21-inch wheels use low‑profile 275/45 R21 tyres and are the largest wheels ever to be offered on a Ranger. They sit within flared wheelarches that extend the overall width of the vehicle by 82 mm both front and rear. Track width is increased by 40 mm each side for enhanced grip and stability.

Retuned rear suspension
The suspension is optimised to get to the ideal level of handling and comfort and has new, firmer dampers at the front, a retuned rear suspension set-up and an overall 40 mm height reduction. This gives the Ranger MS-RT a more sporting stance and also provides greater handling precision and stability through corners.

Under the bonnet is Ford’s 3-litre V6 turbodiesel engine producing 240 ps/600 Nm. That goes through a 10-speed transmission and the new e4WD full-time 4-wheel drive. As with other Rangers of the latest generation, the MS-RT version also maintains the same 1-tonne load-carrying capability.

Sportier looks inside too
Within the double cab, there is new sportier looking seating with more supportive bolsters and seatbacks at the front. Non-animal Eco-Leather and suede with a distinctive MS-RT pattern and blue stitching feature on both front and rear seats, with MS-RT badges on the front and an additional badge on the dashboard. Drivers also benefit from a sculpted sports steering wheel with blue 12 o’clock marker and MS-RT branded inlay.

The Ranger MS-RT will be available in a range of colours with Agate Black painted mirror caps and door handles as a distinguishing feature. Standard equipment includes a 12-inch touchscreen with SYNC 4A, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, front and rear parking aid,  rearview camera, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Speed Limiter.

What about sales in Asia?
First deliveries to customers in Europe will begin in mid-2024. At this time, Ford has not said anything about the MS-RT version being offered in other regions so it’ll have to be the Raptor for Malaysians who want the ultimate truck.