2019 Ford Ranger Uses Modified Focus RS Engine
The new Ranger’s 2.3-liter Ecoboost sure looks an awful lot like the one used in Ford’s hot hatch.
Ford’s 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine is used in a variety of models across the brand’s entire lineup. Everything from the Mustang to Explorer, in fact. And now, it’s the sole engine choice (at least for now) in the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger. While it would be easy to assume that the Ranger uses the same carryover version of the 2.3 from either of those rides, it’s also wrong, however. In fact, the 2019 Ford Ranger turbo four banger shares much more in common with the hot hatch Focus RS.
It’s a fascinating revelation that Road & Track first discovered after taking a closer look at the engine. During the Ranger’s release, Ford would only disclose that the Ranger’s 2.3 used a forged crankshaft and connecting rods, declining to provide more specifics. But they did have the engine on display at the Detroit Auto Show, which allowed us to take a closer look. And that alone proved to be pretty enlightening.
The first clue comes from the block design. Both the Ranger and Focus RS use a cross-drilled deck for cooling, a feature not present on any other version of the 2.3. This setup flows coolant through the block below the bore bridge instead of across the top. Inside, R&T found some other clues. The entire rotating assembly, from the crank to the connecting rods and pistons, appears to have come straight from the Focus RS.
There are some differences between the two, of course. The bottom of the Ranger block features a slightly different casing. The oil pump sits off the balance shafts in the oil pan rather than next to the crank gear. But these moves were likely necessary to make room for other components, such as four-wheel drive bits and pieces.
The 2019 Ford Ranger 2.3 also has a larger oil cooler and filter. Combine that with a wider harmonic balancer, and it’s pretty clear that Ford intentionally increased cooling capacity for pickup duty.
Most everything else is the same across both applications. It is notable, however, that the Ranger is the first 2.3-liter equipped Ford to use an electronic wastegate. It’s a small change, but one that should help improve efficiency and lower emissions.
Ford hasn’t released any official output figures for the 2019 Ford Ranger just yet. But taking these changes into account, R&T believes that these details signal Ford is working to make the mid-size pickup a “torque monster.”
No matter how you feel about turbo fours, all of this is pretty exciting news. A performance-based engine tuned to provide loads of torque? Sign us up!
