Rumors about the 2022 Ford Ranger Hybrid are becoming louder. The company announced plans for such a truck, but we expected to see the flagship F-150. Nevertheless, it seems like focus shifts to the mid-size class. Tacoma Hybrid in the US and a few other manufacturers across the ocean are considering a similar move. Still, there are no concepts yet, but there is enough time for engineers to develop a powerful unit that can meet the demands of truckers.
It is still a mystery what kind of a drivetrain the 2022 Ford Ranger Hybrid could use. On the other hand, we can find a few suitable powerplants in the Blue Oval fleet. Still, the pickup truck is not all about horsepower outputs and consumption savings. The towing capacity is the main reason why fans still can’t buy hybrid trucks. All the existing SUVs with such configuration are not capable of hauling. But, it is just a matter of time when will this happen. The question is – who will deliver it first – Toyota or Ford.
2022 Ford Ranger Hybrid Possible Drivetrains
There are already a few new hybrids that could suit the needs of truckers. We’ll see if the company can make a 3.3-liter V6 configuration work with the 2022 Ford Ranger Hybrid. For Explorer SUV, the setup is good for 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque. The power is being distributed to all wheels. This configuration upgrades the towing capacity of the SUV from 5,000 with a 3.5-liter V6 to 5.600 lbs.
There is another possibility if the 2022 Ranger Hybrid is after high outputs. Ford’s premium branch, Lincoln, is delivering Aviator SUV (Explorer’s luxury match) with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in combination with a plug-in system. Combined, two sources of power are roaring for 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. With this unit, the pickup truck would become more capable than the F-150 Raptor. We doubt that engineers will go so far with a hybrid unit, so option number 1 is more likely to happen.
New Generation, New Models
When the Ranger stepped back to the US soil, all the experts claimed the turbo-four engine won’t be the single choice for too long. Speculations started immediately, with the V6 engine having the most votes. Also, at the same time when the truck returned to North America, European buyers got the new Raptor version with a turbodiesel engine. It was another possibility for the US market. Still, it seems that Ford shifted focus to greener sources of power and that mid-size pickup is the priority.
The 2022 Ford Ranger Hybrid will probably start the new generation since the truck is ready for the redesign. The company didn’t change too much last year. Ranger is one of the most popular trucks worldwide. In the next twelve months, the vehicle is getting a new look for all markets, not only North America. So, there are a lot of options, but the company is still quiet, considering further moves in the mid-size truck segment. Meanwhile, the development of the compact Courier truck is put on idle.