Would you prefer a diesel, or a gasoline engine upon the Ford Ranger’s American return?
The Ford Ranger was one of the Motor Company’s most popular vehicles in the United States from 1983 through 2011, and it achieved so with 4-cylinder and V6 gasoline-powered engines. On the other hand, the Ford Ranger currently sold in markets like South America and Australia has enjoyed record-breaking sales, thanks the availability of both gasoline and diesel engines.
When the Ranger was still available at local Ford dealerships, diesel technology wasn’t as popular as it is today among average American truck buyers. Sure, there were popular diesel cars sold in the US during the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s, but when it came to trucks, only the heavy-duty models received the diesel treatment.
However, things have changed a great deal since the Ranger left the lineup back in 2011. Diesel development has come a long way, and “clean diesel” technology has become much more popular in the US market. GM has introduced a small diesel in the Colorado midsize pickup, Ram features a diesel motor in their 1500 truck, and Ford will soon offer a 3.0-liter PowerStroke diesel in the F-150, all of which offer a great mix of performance and fuel economy. Based on the early results of these new diesel trucks, we can expect that diesel sales numbers will be even higher than they are now when the new Ranger arrives.
With that in mind, when the next generation Ford Ranger arrives, would you prefer to buy it with a diesel engine, or will you stick with gasoline?
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
