Ford NZ updating Ranger and unleashing the mighty Scott McLaughlin Mustang

Monday, 2 November 2020

Ford's Vehicle Dynamics lead for the Ranger Raptor, Simon Johnson, explains how the quite remarkable Fox Racing shock absorbers work.

Ford is updating its top-selling Ranger ute in the face of much stiffer competition in 2021 following the release of the significantly updated Toyota Hilux and the all-new Isuzu D-Max, with the Mazda BT-50 due shortly.

The main thrust of the upgrade will be engine-based, with 2.0-litre 157kW/500Nm biturbo diesel four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic previously only available in the Raptor, Wildtrak and FX4 being made available on the XLT model, which will also get a new grille and other cosmetic tweaks. The XLT’s current 3.2-litre five-cylinder engine and six-speed auto will also remain available.

Ford will also introduce the much-hyped “Raptor-lite” Ranger FX4 Max in the first quarter of 2021. The FX4 Max features Fox Racing shocks (similar, but not the same as the Raptor set up), while retaining the Ranger’s full 3,500kg towing capabilities.

The FX4 Max bridges the gap between the full-fat Raptor and the FX4 and Wildtrak with Fox Racing Shocks and a full 3,500kg towing capacity.

But it is not just Ranger updates that will keep Ford firing in 2021, the company also revealed that it will be unleashing the awesome Ford Mustang SM17 in New Zealand.

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‘Madly powerful’ is a fitting tribute to Scott McLaughlin’s Supercar career, via the Herrod Motorsport-developed SM17.

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The SM17 is a special Scott McLaughlin Limited Edition Mustang (“SM17”) created by Herrod Performance in Australia as a tribute to the Kiwi racer’s success in the Supercars series.

The details are still to be finalised, but Ford New Zealand managing director Simon Rutherford said the price to be “in the region of $150,000”. So not cheap then.

Still, while it is a significant jump from the $82,990 asked for the standard Mustang V8 GT, then the SM17 is an absolute beast that would leave a GT choking in its dust.

The SM17’s 5.0-litre V8 packs a supercharger that pumps power up to feral 578kW and 810Nm, while the chassis gets significant upgrades as well, including adjustable anti-roll bars.

It will be available with a choice of either Ford’s 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmissions, while the new 20-inch alloy wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber (275/30 at the front, 305/30 at the back). A cat back stainless steel exhaust (integrated with Ford’s existing active-exhaust control) will make sure there is plenty of bark to go with the substantial bite.

While the SM17 will be available to order through Ford dealerships, it’s not strictly an official product – Ford New Zealand won’t sell it directly because it’s not one of their factory-built products, but is easing the SM17's importation through Christchurch-based Team Hutchinson Ford.

“We think it’s important to do that because Scott McLaughlin has a fanbase here for obvious reasons,” said Ford NZ managing director Simon Rutherford.

“It would be a shame not to support customers who want that option.”