Ranger in cross-country version - an off-road monster from Ford

The Ford Castrol Cross Country Team has unveiled an all-new Ranger for FIA homologation. The car was designed specifically for competition on tracks requiring off-road rallying.

Lots of news for the best performance

The car was built by Neil Woolridge Motorsport and will compete in the top stock car category of the South African Cross Country Series, SACCS. It is also the first car in its category to be developed in accordance with the new FIA regulations for turbocharged petrol engines.

This Ranger is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine, which is known from the unique Ford GT supercar as well as the Ford F-150 Raptor popular in North America.

The EcoBoost engine has been optimized to meet the strict FIA regulations for a class allowing a maximum power output of 300kW. The twin-turbocharged engine delivers better torque than the previous 5-litre V8 and develops around 600 Nm.

Ford Ranger Cross Country

Among the extensive changes to the new Ranger is an improved weight distribution and an optimized center of gravity, which are crucial in the challenging conditions of off-road rallying. The wider chassis allows for better wheel placement and better vehicle control. This version of the Ranger is equipped with BOS high performance dual shock absorbers on all four wheels. This is the first car in the world equipped with a new version of this suspension.

The Ranger Cross Country is also equipped with a new compact SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox. It is 10 kg lighter than the previous version, and the entire transmission has been redesigned to make it easier to drive. Another benefit of moving to full FIA specification is the integration of BOS hydraulic lifters into the chassis, allowing the crew to raise and lower the car at the touch of a button. And it will save you a lot of time when changing the wheel.

Ranger is ready to work in any conditions

Ranger is not only off-road rallying. It is a vehicle that is ready to work in any conditions, providing maximum comfort and advanced solutions at the same time - from the active parking assistant to the traffic sign recognition system.

In Russia, the car is available in several trim levels with a 2-liter EcoBlue engine with 130 or 170 hp. The most powerful unit is the 2.0-liter EcoBlue engine with 213 hp. dual supercharger available in Limited, Wildtrak and Raptor versions.

Ford Ranger Cross Country

Obviously the Raptor is the sharpest version of the Ranger. It is distinguished by a number of changes compared to other versions and a modified appearance, which is symbolized by the attractive word "FORD" on the radiator grille.

The popularity of the most powerful versions is evidenced by the fact that on models with a 2.0 liter EcoBlue engine with 213 hp. in the first two months of 2021, it accounted for as much as 87% of total Ranger sales in Russia.

Ranger sales in Russia are growing dynamically

The Ford Ranger is associated with the United States, but in fact it also feels great in Europe - and has been so for many years. In 2020, 43,046 copies of the model were sold in the Old Continent.

This is no exception in Russia, where customers appreciate the spacious interior, excellent driving performance and comfort. In the first two months of 2021, the car found 237 buyers, representing an increase over the same period last year by more than 60%. More importantly, according to SAMAR, the Ford Ranger is the undisputed leader in the pickup segment, in which it has a share of over 50%.

Ford Ranger Cross Country

The Ford Ranger is a perfect example of a great looking car that isn't afraid of some really hard work. In addition, this model offers exceptional travel comfort and safety, which is so important to our customers. The strength of the Ford Ranger is confirmed by its dominance in the pickup segment in the Polish market,” said Piotr Pawlak, President and CEO of Ford .

Photo: Ford