Ford adds hybrid to its Ranger range

Pick-ups appeal to a wide audience. Those involved in the building industry who need to carry workers to and from jobs along with their equipment, materials, and tools. Tradespeople. The agriculture sector - farmers for transporting foodstuffs to their animals or other essentials, often over rough terrain. And people with active lifestyles for carrying heavy sports and leisure equipment for weekend pursuits.

I’d previously enjoyed off-road thrills with the 3.0 V6 petrol-powered Ford Ranger Raptor developed by Ford Performance, outputting just under 300hp, and with 491Nm of torque that had me grinning from ear to ear. Now it was the turn of the Ranger Wildtrak plug-in hybrid, a first hybrid for the model and with the most torque of any production Ranger at a huge 690Nm and an urban electric range of 43km. It is boosted by an advanced hybrid powertrain that can put electric power to use on the road or the worksite.

My review Ranger blended a rugged pick-up profile with modern, premium styling. The front features a unique grille, matrix LED headlamps, and front fog lamps. Muscular wheel arches and distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels, and Wildtrak and PHEV badging around the car add interest. The rear taillight design with the ‘Ranger’ name embossed into the tailgate, and a strong tow bar make for a distinctive look. Running boards help with getting in and out. Huge side mirrors have blind spot monitors.

The cabin is built for wear and tear with big seats and a big dashboard that features soft-touch materials. Seats are well bolstered for comfort and security when going off-road and come in a partial leather trim, so they are easy to wipe clean. My seat had power adjustments, including lumbar support - but no memory seat setting - while the front passenger seat had manual adjustments. The model’s name is stitched into the front two seat backs. Burnt orange-coloured stitching on the dash, seats, steering wheel, and doors helps brighten the dark look.

The dash is dominated by a 12.0-inch portrait-type touchscreen which runs on Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment system and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I found this screen intuitive and easy to use. A camera button shows your immediate surroundings when parked and allows multiple views around your vehicle, while a smaller screen below shows a bird’s eye view of the car. There’s also a control to navigate to a parking space.

Below are controls for the front seats and steering wheel heaters, rear window heater, fan, and steering wheel. There are physical buttons for dual-zone climate control, air conditioning, and a volume knob. The customisable digital driver’s screen shows the vehicle’s stats, petrol usage, and range left in the battery.

Features on the central console include a wireless phone charger, USB ports, two cupholders, a sturdy lever for the automatic transmission, and an electric parking brake. Storage areas are two lidded gloveboxes, big door bins front and rear, and a cavernous area below the front armrest with a 12V socket.

Those in the rear enjoy good head and legroom, but the high tunnel may impede the latter. You have a 10A 230V power socket, an AC 230V 10A and a USB port.

A choice of four EV driving modes allows you to drive on petrol, battery power, or a combination of both. The PHEV version combines a 2.3 EcoBoost engine with a 75kW battery-powered motor, offering 279hp, all that massive torque, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. A true off-roader, the Terrain Management System allows you to fine-tune your Ranger PHEV settings to suit the conditions using a rotary dial to shift between Normal, Eco, or Sport for ordinary roads; Tow Haul when towing; Slippery for loose surfaces; and Mud/Ruts or Sand for more rugged off-roading. You can tow up to 3,500kg max.

During my lengthy time with the car, I achieved an average fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100kms.

The heavy-duty cargo area measures 1,638mm long and is wide enough to fit a standard Euro pallet between the wheel arches. It features an easy-lift tailgate that can be used as a sturdy workbench. Gross payload is up to 1,000kg. For convenience, there’s a step on both sides and at the rear to access the load bed. You can open the roller cargo cover with a button on the dashboard.

The Pro Power Onboard mobile power source is a big help to busy operators, as they can leave the generator behind and free up some load space. The standard 2.3 kW (10 amp) system lets you recharge batteries and power most electric hand tools, while the 6.9 kW (16 amp) option can power a host of heavier gear from grinding tools to camping stoves and EV dirt bikes.

PRICE: From €62,458; my review model €69,452 before extras.