Street rod Ford Ranger MS-RT retains bakkie cred
Ford has created a street rod called Ranger. The Blue Oval’s motorsport-inspired M-Sport Road Technology developed Ranger MS-RT is a street-oriented bakkie tweaked for best handling and dynamics on the road, rather than off it. Albeit built in South Africa, the presumably Wildtrak-based bakkie is set for European release.
The Ranger joins a Ford MS-RT sub-brand dedicated to competition-inspired commercial vehicles. It ‘boasts a sportier design, and improved road holding and handling, without compromising the Ranger’s natural load-carrying and 3.5-ton towing ability.’
Enhanced through a motorsport makeover
Powered by the regular 184 kW 600 Nm Wildtrak 3-litre turbodiesel V6 and ten-speed automatic turning the Wildtrak’s permanent all-wheel drive, MS-RT is 82 mm wider than a standard Ranger and rides 40 mm lower too. ‘To deliver an enhanced driving experience through a motorsport-themed makeover.’
Inspired by Asian extreme Ranger racing trucks and set apart by a honeycomb grille and integrated splitter, the Ranger MS-RT’s aggro stance is further emphasised by lowered suspension. The rear bumper gains an integrated diffuser and there’s also a ducktail spoiler on the back of the bak, and a cab spoiler too. ‘To improve aerodynamic stability.’
MS-RT rides on biggest ever Ranger wheels
Massive 21-inch diamond-cut wheels round it off in 275/45 R21 tyres, the largest ever on a production Ranger. Step aboard to more supportive sports bolstered and heated seats in MS-RT blue stitched ‘animal-free’ eco-leather and suede.
A heated multifunction sports steering wheel runs Ford’s SYNC 4 12” touchscreen. Add dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera and more.
MS-RT breaks the Ford Ranger mould
Just when you thought the Ford Ranger couldn’t get any more iconic, we’ve combined striking motorsport design with enhancements to deliver the imposing characteristics that our customers love in this MS-RT,” Ford Pro Europe suit Hans Schep points out.
“MS-RT is a departure from what we expect from Ranger. It has more car-like driving dynamics and unchanged towing and carrying capacity. If Ranger Raptor, at is the ultimate off-road truck, then the Ranger MS-RT is the ultimate street truck.”