It gets the same 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel engine as the high-performance Ranger Raptor.
A special Thunder edition of the Ford Ranger pickup truck will be available in selected markets around Europe from late this summer. Limited to just 4,500 examples for the entire continent, the vehicle will come with the 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel engine from the Ranger Raptor, as well as a host of styling tweaks.
Based on the high-end Ranger Wildtrak, the Thunder is set apart by its Sea Grey paintwork that’s set off with bold red highlights on the grille and sports hoop. Three-dimensional-effect Thunder badges adorn the front doors, while the Ranger logo is finished in matte black.
Black trim can also be found on the front grille, rear bumper and fog light surrounds, as well as the door handles. The 18-inch alloys are black, too, while the LED headlights get darkened bezels. As an option, customers can also have a black Mountain Top powder-coated roller shutter for the rear load bed.
The color scheme is continued inside, where Ebony leather seats are enriched with red Thunder embroidery and matching contrast stitching. Black floor mats come as standard, along with sill tread plates that are illuminated red.
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Powering it all is the 210-hp 2.0-liter diesel engine from the Ranger Raptor off-road performance model. Fitted with two turbochargers, the motor uses a small turbine to increase low-end responsiveness, then swaps to a larger turbine for maximum top-end power.
Like the Raptor, the Thunder gets a 10-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive as standard, but misses out on some of the Raptor’s Dakar-spec additions. Nevertheless, Ford says the vehicle will be “highly competent” off-road.
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In total, 4,500 Thunders will be built for the European market, and 1,400 of those will be sold in the United Kingdom. Ford proudly says 2019 was the best ever year in the Ranger's history in terms of sales in Europe with 52,500 examples delivered to customers.
“With an edgier look for customers who aren’t afraid to be noticed, the new Ranger Thunder will be an unmistakable presence” said Hans Schep, general manager for Ford of Europe’s commercial vehicles arm. “This capable, comfortable and stylish addition to Europe’s best-selling pick-up range is as tough and versatile as it is charismatic.”
- Dramatic new Ford Ranger Thunder offers exclusive colour-contrast exterior and interior specifications to deliver bold, assertive design without compromising practicality
- Efficient and powerful Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine, 10-speed automatic gearbox, four-wheel drive and Double Cab body style all standard
- Just 4,500 examples of high-series Ranger Thunder will be available across Europe; order books open now for delivery in late summer 2020
DUNTON, UK, May 18, 2020 – The new Ford Ranger Thunder will bring dramatic style and enhanced specification to Europe’s No.1 best-selling pick-up* when deliveries begin in late summer.
Limited to just 4,500 examples across Europe, Ranger Thunder adds exclusive interior and exterior design to the 2020 International Pick-up Award-winner as well as popular practical options as standard, to deliver SUV-like style and comfort alongside generous load carrying and towing capability.
Powered by Ford’s Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine offering 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque, Ranger Thunder also features as standard Ford’s 10-speed automatic gearbox for smooth shifting and effortless performance on- and off-road.
Derived from the highly popular Ranger Wildtrak series, the Ranger Thunder combines high specification with optimised load hauling and tough four-wheel drive capability.
“With an edgier look for customers who aren’t afraid to be noticed, the new Ranger Thunder will be an unmistakeable presence on or off the road,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe. “This capable, comfortable and stylish addition to Europe’s best-selling pick-up range is as tough and versatile as it is charismatic.”
Tough and distinctive design
Ranger Thunder is offered in a single specification featuring eye-catching design details that highlight the model’s exclusivity and accentuate its “ready-to-rumble” character.
Finished in Sea Grey, the model adds exclusive 18-inch black alloy wheels and Ebony Black executions for the front grille, rear bumper, skid plates, fog light surrounds, load bay sports hoop and door handles. Bold red accents on the grille and sports hoop highlight the key details and are complemented by three-dimensional-effect “Thunder” badges for the driver and front passenger doors and tailgate, with the “Ranger” logo finished in matte black.
LED headlights with darkened bezels are also standard, with darkened taillight bezels at the rear. The Ranger Thunder includes a load bay bedliner and Black Mountain Top powder-coated roller shutter – both popular options with Ranger customers. A practical new load bay divider is also featured for the first time.
The comfortable and characterful interior delivers full Ebony leather seats with distinctive “Thunder” red embroidery and matching stitching across the steering wheel, seats, instrument panel and key touch points throughout the cabin. Black floor mats are also standard and contrast with bespoke red-illuminated sill plates.
Proven powertrain
The Ranger Thunder’s powerful Bi-turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine offers outstanding pulling power, using twin turbochargers in series at lower engine speeds for enhanced torque and responsiveness, and bypassing the smaller turbocharger at higher engine speeds to provide maximum boost from the larger turbocharger for peak power.
Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission offers performance and durability proven in applications as diverse as the Ford F-150 pick-up and Ford Mustang. The transmission features a wide spread of ratios and real-time adaptive shift-scheduling that adapts to changing conditions – enabling the optimal gear to be selected for performance, fuel efficiency or refinement in any driving scenario.
Ranger Thunder features Ranger’s proven four-wheel drive system for highly competent off-road capability and will deliver fuel efficiency from 7.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions from 205 g/km (NEDC), or 9.1 l/100km and 239 g/km (WLTP).
Ranger had its best-ever year in Europe in 2019, with 52,500 vehicles sold.*