The world’s most expensive Ford Ranger has been revealed, kind of, with the H2X Warrego ute set for sale in November this year.
But this is no standard Ford Ranger. The Warrego is the product of Australian hydrogen fuel-cell startup H2X, and its engineers have used the Ranger’s T6 platform to produce a vehicle very different to the workhorse we’ve grown accustomed to.
Gone is the diesel engine, and in its place lives a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, in 66kW or 90kW guises, which power an electric motor that will produce up to 220kW.
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There’s also a 60kW to 100KW (trim dependent) super capacitor energy storage system, largely used to supply power when the vehicle is parked.
Gone, too, is the Ford Ranger's traditional pricing structure, with the H2X Warrego starting a $189,000, and stretching to an eye-watering $250,000 for the top-spec model.
The vehicle, of course, runs on hydrogen, and H2X says you’ll get 500km in driving range from he 6.2kg on-board tank, or 750kg from the bigger 9.3kg tank. And unlike an EV, refilling takes between three and five minutes - provided, of course, you can find a hydrogen refuelling station.
You can expect a 1.5-tonne payload and a 2.5-tonne braked towing capacity, too.
It's not entirely clear yet where the Warrego will be converted, though H2X boss Brendan Norman has been bullish about Australian manufacturing in the past. But one this certain, the Warrego has found buyers, with Mr Norman reporting more than 200 pre-orders valued at more than $50m in just four days.
The vehicle will be revealed in full on the Gold Coast in November, ahead of a 2022 on-sale date.
The H2X Pick-Up Warrego will be one of our first vehicles launched to market,” the brand says. “This highly versatile vehicle is aimed at complementing the existing and upcoming hydrogen projects around the world, working as a proof of concept for hydrogen vehicles and their multiple uses.
“Because of its tough nature, the H2X Warrego can be used in construction sites, mining locations and many other extreme scenarios.”
