The future Ford Ranger will arrive at the end of 2022. In the meantime, the brand is animating the current range of its successful pick-up with special series, including this MS-RT with a sporty look and a 213 hp engine. Its utility status allows it to go under the penalty radar.
Since its launch, the Ford Ranger has consistently led sales of “1 ton” pickups in France. He is attacking the home stretch of his brilliant career since his replacement will take over at the end of 2022. To allow his pick-up to continue to shine, Ford is offering several special series in addition to the current range. Among those, the Ford Ranger MS-RT takes on the role of the “bad boy” with a more typical road look based on a body kit including a honeycomb grille, widened fenders, specific rockers, a spoiler and magnificent 20 inch OZ Racing alloy rims fitted with “road” tires 255/60 R20. The interior also benefits from a sporty interior treatment.
Thus rigged, the Ranger MS-RT does not lack pace and seems ready to devour the asphalt … as well as other road users. This special series (around a hundred copies are planned for France) is only available in three specific colors: Frozen White, Sea Gray and Agate Black. But there are no technical changes to report for this vehicle which is based on a Wildtrack version. Under the hood, the Ford EcoBlue 2.0 twin-turbo diesel engine with 213 hp provides service. It is associated with a ten-speed automatic gearbox, as in… a Ford Mustang V8!
Ford Ranger MS-RT price
This limited series was designed after a Ranger Wildcat, the high-end finish. It differs from it only by its aesthetic elements. A look that comes at a high price, since the MS-RT is displayed at € 54,755 excl. € 14,700 excl. VAT more than the Wildtrack finish. On the double cabin version, the price difference is € 17,640 including VAT, VAT cannot be recovered on this offer except with rare exceptions, including the famous ski lift companies. No over-equipment, but everything is there: leather interior (with specific MS-RT logos), automatic air conditioning, Sync 3 multimedia system, reversing camera, sports roll bar and even the differential lock while this road-oriented model is more exposed , in particular at the level of the side skirts which take the place of the running boards. No options either, the MS-RT being considered to have full equipment.
Driving
The expression climbing on board takes on its full meaning here. In addition to strengthening the road look by seating the body more on the magnificent OZ rims, lowering the suspension would have facilitated access to the cockpit. For the rest, the MS-RT remains a Ranger with a pleasant driving position at height. The mechanics are still present in the cabin, but the combination of the 2.0 Ecoblue engine and the ten-speed gearbox works wonders. The latter allows smooth gear changes and improves efficiency thanks to its many gradations. Accelerations and revivals are vigorous despite the size and the heavy weight of the vehicle.
The road tire assembly allows to obtain better traction on asphalt and a little more precise behavior in curves. Of course, the Ford Ranger is not a sports car. The body tends to roll in a steep curve, feedback from the front axle is rare, and heavy braking inevitably results in a forward dive. But overall, the driving of this “road pickup” is pleasant, especially as the sport seats maintain the passengers in the front seats well. As in all the deep cab versions, the rear folding seats can only be considered as extra seats. In town, the length of 5.40 m and the large turning radius are the two main flaws to note. And it is better to forget the historic centers or underground car parks given the size.
Of course, the Ranger MS-RT is quite capable of venturing out of the tarmac. since it is equipped with the same transmission as the Ranger Wildtrack, which includes a rear differential lock. However, owners are likely to have qualms about damaging body parts, and it is the road tires that will define the limits of the exercise. More than crossing, it is in the exercise of traction that the Ranger MS-RT will be able to excel. Its engine with 500 Nm can tow up to 3,500 kilos easily. In some cases, such as lifting a boat out of the water, the short gearbox and differential lock will be useful. And it should be added to this the possibility of loading a ton in the dumpster.
On board
Competetion
This “bad boy” version of the Ranger is brand new. It targets owners of Mercedes X-Class V6 or Volkswagen Amarok, models that have disappeared from their manufacturers’ catalogs. While it has no direct competitor in the Toyota Hilux or Isuzu D-Max ranges, the Ranger MS-RT finds another pickup in its path that also likes superlatives and provocation: the Jeep Gladiator.
Find the test report, the technical sheet and the equipment on the next page.
