Pickup trucks are now exempt from excise tax. The good thing about it is that they have more competitive pricing versus other vehicle types. The bad thing about that, on the other hand, is that the fight for market share among pickup manufacturers becomes significantly more cutthroat. Hence the need for more product options to lure more buyers.

Ford Philippines obviously realizes this as the company has just announced an additional variant to the Ranger lineup: the XLS Sport.

Consider this new variant as a sportier version of the existing XLS. Differentiating it from its more utilitarian sibling are upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels, glossy black paint for the front grille and the rear bumper, and side step boards.

Doing duty under the hood is still the same 2.2-liter four-cylinder CRDI turbodiesel engine rated at 158hp and 385Nm. Available in 4×4 and 4×2, the Ranger XLS Sport is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Yes, no automatic shifter for this new variant.

• Ranger XLS Sport 4×4 MT – P1,211,000
• Ranger XLS Sport 4×2 MT – P1,062,000

Interested buyers may choose from five exterior colors: Arctic White, Absolute Black, Aluminum Metallic, Meteor Gray and True Red. (Wait…was Ford selling us a fake red paint job before?)

Sales of the new Ranger XLS Sport will officially commence tomorrow, June 21. Go check it out at your nearest Ford dealership.