The Ford Ranger T6 WildTrak looks set to receive
another facelift, with Paultan spies managing to spot an undisguised unit on the
streets of Dearborn, Michigan alongside a Ranger Raptor. Both vehicles seen
here are right-hand drive, which could indicate they will be destined for our
market in the future.
However, where the Lariant has an additional bumper
trim to cover the lower apron along with a more aggressive skid plate, both
these items are absent on the WildTrak. Around the back, the mule gets a
similar taillight design as the US-spec Ranger, with the addition of a
retractable tonneau cover for the flatbed.
It’s much the same story on the inside as well, with
noticeable changes being the new gear selector, seats, tweaked media buttons
and ‘WildTrak’ badging on the dashboard. The control dial for the four-wheel
drive system appears to be identical to the one found in the current WildTrak.
The US-spec Ranger is set to go on sale in early 2019, with three models being
offered – XL, XLT and Lariat. The WildTrak and Raptor models could be added to
the range later on, with the latter already being sold in Thailand, the country
where it first made its debut.
All Ranger models in the US are powered by a 2.3
litre EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine and a 10-speed automatic
transmission. The ‘Bi-Turbo’ wording on the side scuttles suggests the WildTrak
will use the 2.0 litre EcoBlue twin-turbo diesel found in the Raptor, which
offers 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque, also mated to a 10-speed auto. The WildTrak trim was also
available with the ZSD-422 2.2 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, albeit for a
limited time in the past.