Ford’s Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine and 10-Speed Transmission: One Powertrain, Three Personalities
March 8th, 2019 Melbourne, Australia, – Engineers Anthony Hall and Rob Sharples have just pushed the Ranger Raptor to its limits on a private test track. Responsible for integrating the new powertrain – a Bi-Turbo diesel engine and 10-Speed transmission – across the Ranger and Everest line-up, the teammates look suitably happy.
œThat was just fantastic, says Hall. œWe drove some extreme terrain at some very significant speeds and the capability of the powertrain, the transmission, was remarkable. There is nothing else like it.
Hall is right: the high-speed off-roader has created a new class of vehicle destined to spawn a legion of imitators. While much of this capability comes from Raptor’s revolutionary chassis and suspension, it was clear that the remarkable new powertrain at Raptor’s heart had to be made available across the Ranger and Everest line-up.
œThe Bi-Turbo diesel engine and 10-speed transmission really has diverse personalities, says Hall. œIn the Raptor, with the drive modes influencing power and torque levels, you can do some extreme high-speed off-roading. In the Everest, it drives like a car: relaxed, sophisticated and extremely economical. In the Ranger, it’s a workhorse with tremendous off-road capability.
Both the diesel engine and 10-speed transmission are highly proven: the transmission is in iconic vehicles such as the F-150 Raptor and Mustang, with over half a million kilometres of extreme and real-world testing behind it. Together, with the UK developed Bi-Turbo engine that has gone through torturous thermo-cycle testing, the pairing of the two brings spectacular results to the nimble bodied Ranger platform.
Ford’s Chief Powertrain Engineer, Rob Sharples, says the integration of the engine and transmission with sophisticated electronics and drive systems has delivered a powertrain as at home racing across the desert as it is cruising suburban traffic or towing a trailer.
œThe Bi-Turbo diesel engine matched with the 10-speed transmission gives constant delivery of power and torque. Depending on how you drive, it may utilise all the gears to offer maximum fuel efficiency or, if you’re aggressive on the pedal, it’ll skip-shift to give you high performance. This shows itself as power in Ranger, performance in Raptor and refinement in Everest. It’s just amazing to experience.
Anthony Hall agrees. While he is happy to roll out some of the impressive numbers, the new powertrain has delivered in its different personalities, a maximum 157KW of power and 500Nm of torque, a class leading 3.5 tonnes towing in Ranger and Everest, 6.9 litres/100km combined fuel economy in Everest, astonishing 850mm water wading in Raptor, he believes it is something that needs to be driven to be truly appreciated.
œUnless you’ve driven a Bi-Turbo diesel with a 10-speed, it’s just numbers on a page. It’s a very rewarding experience that leaps into the next phase of engine and powertrain technology, and it’s a real pleasure to drive.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide.
