Ford Ranger MS-RT sports ute one step closer to potential Australian launch

12/06/2024 03:00 PM

The 2025 Ford Ranger MS-RT – a widebody version of the ute, with lowered suspension but no more power – is now available in Thailand following its reveal in Europe earlier this year.

Ford in Thailand has engaged the RMA Group – the Thai-based firm responsible for converting the Ford F-150 to right-hand drive in Melbourne for local showrooms – to add the MS-RT modifications to the ute, with an initial batch of 200 examples available.

The Ford Ranger MS-RT was announced for Europe in February 2024, with examples sold there sourced from the brand's factory in South Africa before the MS-RT modifications are added in a Ford factory in the UK, which also builds the ute’s diesel engine.

However, the Ford Ranger MS-RT sold in Thailand will be manufactured there – then sent to the RMA Group for modification – opening the door for a potential Australian launch of the MS-RT.

All versions of the Ford Ranger sold in Australia – except the South African-sourced Ranger Plug-In Hybrid due in 2025 – are imported from Thailand.

“We have no news to share around Ranger MS-RT for Australia right now," said a Ford Australia spokesperson.

Ford is the main client of the RMA Group, which is the US car giant’s exclusive 'Qualified Vehicle Modifier' (QVM) in the Asia-Pacific and African regions.

It includes the Ford F-150 conversion in Australia, and modified Ford vehicles sold overseas for emergency services, mining, defence, and security purposes.

MORE: Who is RMA, the company behind the F Series return to Australia?

"As Ford's authorized QVM partner and a global special vehicles manufacturer, we are excited to collaborate with Ford dealers and MS-RT to bring this unique product to Thailand," said Daren Ambrose, managing director of global modifications and manufacturing at RMA Group.

"With our 30 years of experience in special vehicle modification, we are certain that the Ford Ranger MS-RT will uphold the QVM standards and deliver exceptional quality to our customers."

If Ford decides to sell the MS-RT in Australia, it would likely be modified in Thailand and shipped here – similar to its Vehicle Personalisation Centre in Thailand, which adds canopy and roller shutter genuine accessories before vehicles are shipped to Australia.

MORE: Ford opens accessory-fitting facility to cut Ranger wait times

The Vehicle Personalisation Centre is operated in partnership with the RMA Group, with the facility located near the port where Australia-bound vehicles depart.

Since its launch in mid-2022, Ford has offered several limited-edition versions of the current-generation Ranger – now Australia's best-selling vehicle – including the Wildtrak X, Tremor and Black Edition.

M-Sport Road Technology (MS-RT) is the road-car off-shoot of the UK-based M-Sport Ford Rally Team, which currently fields the Ford Puma Rally1 in the World Rally Championship, in partnership with the Ford Motor Company.

The Ranger MS-RT is billed as the "ultimate street truck" with lowered suspension, 21-inch alloy wheels, a widebody kit, and a unique appearance inside and out.

MORE: Wide-body Ford Ranger MS-RT unveiled, Australian launch unclear

In Thailand, it is offered with power-folding side steps to aid entry and exit, and is limited to two colours – Command Grey and Absolute Black (known as Shadow Black in Australia) – with the former colour usually reserved for the Raptor.

The Ranger MS-RT features the same 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 as the Ford Ranger XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and Platinum, rather than the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 found in the Ranger Raptor.

It is available in Europe alongside the Ford Transit Custom MS-RT van – offered in diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric forms – with similar modifications to the Ranger.

MORE: Driving the hot hatch of vans – 2024 Ford E-Transit Custom MS-RT review

The post Ford Ranger MS-RT sports ute one step closer to potential Australian launch appeared first on Drive.