New Ford models coming: Mustang, Ranger PHEV, Puma EV, & more

Ford is one of Australia's most popular car brands and has had a busy 2023 introducing new models including its first electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, and a return of the F-150 full-size pick-up (via a local right-hand-drive conversion).

Although it is saying goodbye to the Escape midsized SUV at the end of the 2023, there's plenty of more new metal to come from the Blue Oval in 2024 and beyond.

Here's Wheels' quick guide to the new Ford models coming to Australia, as well as other vehicles that have the potential to head down-under.

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JUMP AHEAD

Confirmed models

• Mustang
• F-150 facelift
• Puma
• Puma EV
• Ranger PHEV (plug-in hybrid)
• E-Transit Custom

Potential models

• Bronco
• Explorer
• F-150 Lightning
• Capri

✅ Confirmed models

Mustang

The world's and Australia's favourite sports car of recent years will enter local showrooms in early 2024 in sixth-generation form - the perfect way to celebrate the nameplate's 60th birthday.

EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder and GT V8 models return, but the headline act is the harder-core, track-ready Dark Horse variant – which takes Mustang pricing to the $100K mark, while prices across the range are up by as much as 24 per cent.

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F-150 facelift

Ford's biggest-selling model has only just made a return to Australia, brought to showrooms via local right-hand drive conversion.

In slightly inconvenient timing around the local launch, the Ford Motor Company in the US announced an upgraded model.

This won't reach here until late 2024, with updates including subtle styling changes, more cabin tech, and new options such as a side-swing tailgate.

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Puma / Puma EV

The demise of the Fiesta city car has left the Fiesta-based Puma crossover as Ford's entry model, and one of our favourite compact SUVs is due for a facelift in 2024.

That will coincide with a new, fully electric version of the Puma that's already confirmed for Australia for late 2024.

It's understood the Puma EV will share its platform with the E-Transit Courier compact van, with a 55kWh battery and approximate range of 370km speculated.

Unfortunately for keen drivers, Ford Australia continues to snub the Puma ST high-performance variant.

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Ranger Plug-in Hybrid

A PHEV version of the ridiculously popular Range ute is coming in early 2025, promising a 45kW electric-only range and a range-anxiety-free experience courtesy of its turbo petrol engine and electric motor combination.

Ford says the plug-in hybrid Ranger will produce the biggest torque in the line-up.

The ute will also be a 'moving generator' capable of powering work tools or camping electronics/equipment.

To be built in South Africa, the one downside is that the Ranger PHEV will miss out on the pricing benefits of the free trade agreement that applies to the rest of the line-up built in Thailand.

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E-Transit Custom

Following the 2023 launch of the E-Transit large electric van, Ford Australia will import the smaller E-Transit Custom in 2024.

The medium-sized electric van will follow the renewed Custom range arriving in late 2023, taking its place at the top of the line-up.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but the cost of the larger E-Transit ($104,990 rrp) suggests there will be a significant premium for the electric version over the diesel-powered Transit Custom.

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🔮 Potential future models

Bronco

The sixth-generation Bronco is a cool-looking retro off-roader that may currently be produced in left-hand drive only but continues to be the subject of RHD speculation - if via conversion rather than the original assembly line.

It's a natural rival for the Jeep Wrangler - including the ability to remove the Bronco's roof and doors for an open-air motoring experience.

Related to the Ranger and Everest we know so well, the Bronco is available with four-cylinder turbo and V6 petrol engines as well as permanent AWD.

There's even a hardcore Raptor edition.

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Explorer

The next-generation Explorer is a fully electric SUV due to go on sale globally in mid 2024, though for now it is ruled out for Australia.

As another vehicle formed out of the 2020-announced Ford-Volkswagen alliance - which includes the current Ranger and Amarok ute twins - the Explorer uses VW's MEB (modular electric) architecture.

As a twin to the VW ID.4, the 2024 Ford Explorer is a midsized SUV.

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F-150 Lightning

Ford Australia is studying the business case for adding the all-electric Lightning to its newly launched F-150 full-size pick-up range.

The company has already trademarked the F-150 Lightning name locally, boosting hopes for a model that offers up to 433kW and 1050Nm, a 515km claimed range, and 0-100km/h performance of 4.5 seconds.

The dual-motor, all-wheel drive Lightning also claims to do the business when it comes to towing and carrying, with a payload of up to 1014kg and a towing capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes.

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Ford Capri imagined | Kleber Silva on Behance[↗]

Capri

Yet to be revealed but spotted testing is Ford's "sport crossover" that is expected to adopt a famous sports car nameplate.

With a length of about 4.6 metres - as a twin to VW's ID.5 coupe-SUV - the latter-day Capri would sit below Ford's Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.

We'll have to wait and see if Ford Australia chooses to fill the EV gap that would exist between the electric Puma and Mach-E.

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