It’s a ‘blue’ day with first biturbo Ranger to meet EU6 requirement.

WHILE ‘more not less’ is becoming Ford New Zealand’s Ranger strategy when Government seeks to rein in traydeck uptake there is a Green tinge to the latest version of the top-seller.

Announcement of a Wildtrak X derivative, which will limit to just 300 units at that stage, includes Ford confirming this specialist off-seal edition also updates to a version of the 2.0-litre biturbo engine emitting fewer exhaust nasties than the current choice. 

Ford NZ cannot say if or when other biturbo Rangers are also set to adopt a unit tuned to meet Euro 6, an emissions level that has become a Government preference and is the world’s toughest for now.

“I don’t have any news as to other biturbos going EU6 at this time,” spokesman Tom Clancy said today. “Requirements for emissions levels change around world so we are keeping pace.”

Going to Euro 6 asks operators to keep it topped with AdBlue, an additive – specifically a solution of distilled water and urea - that acts to reduce Nitrous Oxides, or NOx. This is held in a separate tank and feeds into the exhaust system in pre-set doses. (BTW: Adding AdBlue directly to fuel doesn’t work; it will kill an engine).

The Euro 6 engine makes 150kW power and 500Nm torque, against 155kW and 505Nm from the biturbo featured in other Rangers.

Ford has not provisioned a CO2 output count for the new unit in Ranger, but in the base Everest wagon, its only local application until now, it puts out 209 grams per kilometre. The non Euro 6 biturbo puts out 218g/km. A V6 Ranger emits 254g/km.

The X is still on the wrong side of the Clean Car regulations, which deliveries a penalty to not only the buyer but also now the distributor because emissions are higher than Government finds acceptable.

Those buying the older engine have $1840 penalty added to the recommended retail. Conceivably, the hit from this engine will be less. The count will also be useful in reducing Ford’s fleet average, which becomes an increasingly pressing issue under Clean Car.

The big worry for the industry is Government’s interest in the Euro 7 standard, which comes into effect on 1 July 2025 across the European Union. This virtually demands that a model range includes hybrid and electric powertrains.  

Ford have indicated a hybrid Ranger is coming, but not when, while Volkswagen - a partner this time around as the new Amarok is a restyled Ford, built in a Ford factory – reckons it can create a fully electric version of their ute; a feat Ford engineers on the Ranger programme seem less certain about.

The new X means the Ford Ranger now provides in seven types, from base farm-worthy XL through the high performance, almost competition-tuned Raptor though it might not be a permanent choice, with Ford calling it a special edition.

Provisioning from June onward, the X holds a recommended retail of $80,990, making it $5000 more than the standard Wildtrak 2.0-litre biturbo it bases on and just $2500 below the Wildtrak V6.

Aside from its engine being to cleaner tune, the X also utilises gear only previously found on the V6s. The specific upgrade from those is adoption of a full-time four-wheel drive system with a 4A mode that can be used on seal, instead of the part-time four-wheel drive system found in all other 2.0-litre variants.

The suspension setup is the same as for all regular Rangers, so it has a leaf spring rear, but this has been “specifically tuned” for touring and payload and involves Bilstein positive-sensitive dampers which have a monotube design and a nitrogen-charged external reservoir.

There are also new 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres as standard.

Thanks to the tweaked suspension setup and all-terrain tyres the Ranger Wildtrak X has a 30mm wider front and rear track width than the existing Wildtrak, as well as 26mm more ground clearance.

Despite the suspension changes the Ranger Wildtrak X still has a 3500kg braked towing capability like the rest of the core Ranger line-up. Raptor, of course, loses 1000kg through having gone to a fully independent suspension.

On the outside the Ranger Wildtrak X can be distinguished by its exclusive Cyber Orange paintwork. This colour was previously available to the Bronco, a related off-roader Ford sells in North America.

Other exterior highlights include a new off-road grille design with integrated LED lights, a steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps, black exterior highlights, Wildtrak X badging, and Matrix LED headlights.

The new model also comes with Ford’s Flexible Rack System, which was only recently introduced, and includes two main components that can be adjusted to fit a variety of items. 

Inside the Ranger Wildtrak X comes with the larger 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a B&O premium sound system, and an overhead auxiliary switch bank for aftermarket accessories.

It has leather-accented seats with Miko suede and Wildtrak X embroidered into the seat backs, upper glove box and all-weather front and rear floor mats. 

There’s also Terra suede on the glovebox, instrument cluster hood, door trim, and centre console rails, as well as Cyber Orange contrast stitching.

The X comes with a variety of off-road-focused modes to help owners “tackle challenging terrain”.

 Trail Turn Assist helps owners negotiate tight turns on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel. This is designed to be used on loose surfaces at speeds under 19kmh and in either 4H or 4L with the rear differential unlocked.

Ford claims the Trail Turn Assist feature can reduce the X’s turning circle radius by up to 25 percent.

Another ingredient is Trail Control which helps drivers maintain a constant low-speed while off-road. It works at speeds below 32kmh and manages acceleration and braking.

This feature is already available in the Ranger Raptor and essentially acts as an off-road cruise control.

The last off-road-focused mode is Rock Crawl which has been designed to help customers traverse uneven, rocky terrain in a controlled manner.

This drive mode requires 4L to be engaged and will automatically lock the rear differential. It’ll also actuate a unique throttle and transmission calibration that’s designed to help the driver traverse the terrain as smoothly as possible.