√Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid could be unveiled tomorrow

A new variant of the Ford Ranger ute due to be unveiled tomorrow. Is it the long-awaited plug-in hybrid?

Ford Australia has teased a new Ford Ranger variant promising the “best of both worlds” – hinting at the long-awaited introduction of plug-in hybrid power.

In a post uploaded to social media platform X – formerly Twitter – Ford Australia announced the new variant will be unveiled tomorrow, September 19, with its short video only including the text “Ranger Evolves”.

However the hashtag ‘BestofBothWorlds’ suggests Ford is preparing to unveil a plug-in hybrid version – which would combine the benefits of electric and petrol driving, without the driving-range compromise of a solely electric vehicle.

The best of both worlds is coming. 19.09.23#BestofBothWorlds pic.twitter.com/NCAR3bqpM8
— Ford Australia (@FordAustralia) September 14, 2023

While official details are yet to be announced, Drive recently exclusively reported a plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger is due in Australia from 2024, becoming the first form of electrified power available in the dual-cab ute.

As reported in June 2023, the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is expected to pair a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – available in Australia in the Ranger’s twin-under-the-skin, the Volkswagen Amarok, as well as the Ford Mustang sports car – with one or more electric motors.

If the Ford Ranger PHEV does come to Australia next year, it could be one of the first hybrid utes to go on sale in local showrooms, along with an as-yet-unnamed plug-in hybrid dual-cab from Chinese electrified-vehicle specialist, BYD, which is due in the first half of 2024.

The Ranger remains as the best-selling Ford in Australia this year, with 37,664 examples sold over the first eight months of 2023 – making it the second most-popular vehicle overall, behind the Toyota HiLux (38,525 sales).

Return to Drive tomorrow for more information on the new Ford Ranger variant.

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