While this doesn’t come as quite the surprise that the end of Mercedes X-Class and Volkswagen Amarok production may have done, Ford has now confirmed that the 3.2-litre Ranger will also be discontinued in May 2020.
This does not mean the end of the Ranger altogether – Ford’s phenomenally successful pickup will continue to be available powered by its much more modern selection of 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines.
Wait – Ford still builds 3.2-litre Rangers?
Ha. Yes, at the moment it does. For while the introduction of the new 2.0-litre engines in 2019 killed off the previous 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesels, the five-cylinder 3.2-litre engine was kept alive to satisfy the demands of customers with what one insider described as ‘displacement anxiety.’
The 3.2 is only available as an option on the high-end Ranger Wildtrak – which is also available with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue for people who aren’t so much worried about the size of their engine as its performance.
How does the 2.0-litre EcoBlue stack up next to the 3.2?
Despite being a cylinder and 1.2 litres smaller, the most potent 2.0-litre EcoBlue Ranger easily outclasses the elderly 3.2-litre equivalent.
For while the 3.2 produces an impressive 200hp and 470Nm in its most recent specification, the top spec twin-turbo 2.0 wallops that with 213hp and 500Nm. The newer motor is also far more fuel efficient and – thanks in part to active noise cancelling – considerably quieter.
The newer engine is also available with a mega-modern 10-speed automatic gearbox option, while the old one is lumbered with a lazy six-speed auto if you don’t want to change gears yourself.
So this really isn’t a surprise?
Not at all – we always knew the 3.2-litre Ranger was going to be incompatible with very latest Euro 6.2 emissions regulations. However, it is mildly interesting that this Ranger goes out of production in the same month as the X-Class and the Amarok.
We understand that some people really like this big motor, which has a distinctive five-cylinder sound and bags of character. But given the choice we wouldn’t hesitate to take the 213hp 2.0-litre instead – it delivers a truly superb pickup driving experience.
And there’s no chance Ford is going to kill off the Ranger completely?
It’s not likely. One in three pickups sold in Europe in 2019 was a Ranger, and Ford has the advantage of the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid in its line up to help offset the pickup’s CO2 emissions (which peak at 203g/km).
Also read:
>> Volkswagen Amarok discontinued
