Ford Ranger MS-RT: The Ultimate Street Truck
Ford Pro Europe has whispered romantic words to sport truck aficionados with these tantalizing words: ultimate street truck. The recipient of said description is the Ford Ranger MS-RT.
The MS-RT, carried from the outgoing Ranger to the new-generation mid-sizer, features bulgy bodywork and lowered suspension over ginormous 21-inch wheels, among a bevy of subtle modifications. Notably absent from the mod list is any sign of go-fast enhancement, kind of a blow to the “ultimate street truck” claim—but its factory diesel would be exceedingly novel for our shores.
Fret not, for none of it really matters. As hinted by the diesel reference above, an engine our new domestic Ranger lacks, we won’t be getting the MS-RT stateside. Instead, we can only observe from a distance this special Ford Ranger that may inspire our aftermarket and perhaps, just perhaps, Ford proper to give us the factory-backed domestic sport truck Ranger of our dreams.
Exterior Design
Visually, the aggressive front end of the Ford Ranger MS-RT boasts a honeycomb grille and an integrated splitter inspired by race-application Rangers in Asia. Sculpted side skirts, a rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, a tailgate spoiler, a cab spoiler, and flared fenders enhance aerodynamics and provide that classic wings ‘n skirts sport truck look. Various colors will be available, all sporting Agate Black painted mirror caps and door handles.
- Flared wheel arches accommodate massive diamond-cut 21-inch wheels wrapped in 275/45R21 rubber.
- Factory twenty-ones on a midsize truck, showcasing it as the largest wheel Ford has ever offered on a Ranger.
- The flares widen the Ranger by over three inches, enhancing the sporty aesthetics.
- Modified suspension lowers the stance by about 1.5 inches with new, firmer front dampers and a retuned rear setup.
Interior Features
The sportiness extends into the interior, where front seats feature more supportive bolsters and seat backs. All seats are outfitted in “non-animal eco-leather” and suede, embellished with blue stitching and a distinctive MS-RT design. Abundant MS-RT badging and a muscular steering wheel with a blue 12 o’clock marker and an MS-RT branded inlay enhance the experience.
Performance Specifications
Under the hood, Europe’s Ranger MS-RT is equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel shared with other trims, delivering 237 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. According to Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe: “If Ranger Raptor is the ultimate off-road truck, then the Ranger MS-RT is the ultimate street truck.” If we ever receive a sport truck Ranger, it would require the Raptor’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with 405 hp and 430 lb-ft.
Standard equipment significantly surpasses the sport trucks of yesteryear:
- 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4A
- Front and rear parking aid
- Rear view camera
- Intelligent adaptive cruise control
- Intelligent speed limiter
Assembly and Availability
The MS-RT, which stands for M-Sport Road Technology, is developed in collaboration with Ford’s rally car partner M-Sport, builders of the current Ford Puma Rally1 and preparers of Global Rallycross and GT3 race cars. The Ranger MS-RT midsize truck (along with the Ford Transit Custom MS-RT van) will be assembled in a new state-of-the-art facility on the Ford Dagenham Estate in the UK. It will be available through Ford Pro dealers across Europe, with deliveries starting mid-2024.
While it may not represent today’s quintessential sport truck, it still deserves a fond toast as another remarkable fabrication we won’t be witnessing at our local Ford dealerships anytime soon.
