Locally built and ready to reinvent the bakkie segment this new
Ranger packs a hefty punch. Here is what you need to know about the smartest, most versatile and most capable
Ranger yet.
The previous-generation
Ford Ranger was one of
South Africa’s most popular and trusted vehicles for small and medium business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more. This
Next-Gen Ranger builds on this success with a vehicle that delivers so much more, from performance to capability, technology, safety and the entire driving and ownership experience.
What goes into making a winner
The
Next-Gen Ranger is proudly produced at
Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in
Pretoria, which benefited from a R15.8-billion investment to modernise the facility and install latest-generation tooling at supplier companies. A further R600-million was invested in
Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in
Gqeberha to introduce the new 3.0L V6 Diesel engine and upgrade the current assembly line for the proven 2.0L Single Turbo and 2.0L Bi-Turbo engines.
Ford’s Product Development Centre in
Australia led the
Next-Gen Ranger project, with an international team of dedicated designers and engineers working with teams around the globe to not only incorporate the very latest in Ford technology, capability and safety, but to also engineer and test the
Ranger to
Ford’s toughest standards.
Design
Visually, the
Next-Generation Ranger is bold and confident, with a purposeful exterior that shares
Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille, and signature
C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel-arches that give Ranger a sure-footed stance. At the back, the tail lights are designed in harmony with the signature graphics on the front.
Interior
Customers wanted a flexible, modern cockpit that caters to both work and family duties. So,
Ranger needs to serve as both a workspace and a haven, providing smart and connected features with more comfort and storage options than ever before. Inside, the car-like cabin steps up, using premium soft-touch materials, and a prominent portrait-style centre touchscreen with
Ford’s signature
SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system.
Technology
The heart of the
Next-Gen Ranger’s connected experience is the large touchscreen in the centre stack – 10.1-inch in the case of the Base, XL and XLT models, or a 12-inch version on the
Wildtrak. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with
Ford’s latest
SYNC 4A system, which comes customer-ready with its voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems.
Additionally, there’s an embedded factory-fitted modem across the range, allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the
FordPass App, so customers can stay connected to their world.
Engines
The
Next-Gen Ranger line-up of Double Cab models comprises three powertrain options, manual and automatic transmissions and the choice of two or four-wheel drive systems.
There are two Base models which use the 125kW 2.0L Single Turbo engine, with the option of 4x2 or 4x4 – both featuring a newly developed six-speed manual gearbox. The XL series includes four derivatives, all powered by the 125kW 2.0L SiT engine, and available in either 4x2 or 4x4 guise, and with the option of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
In the higher-specification XLT series there are four Double Cab models. Customers have the choice of the 125kW 2.0L Single Turbo engine and six-speed automatic, or the 154kW 2.0L Bi-Turbo with 10-speed automatic transmission – both of which are available in 4x2 and 4x4.
Two
Wildtrak Double Cab models are available with the 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine, 10-speed automatic and the choice of two or four-wheel drive. At the pinnacle of the range is the exciting new 184kW 3.0L V6 Diesel, which is exclusively equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive system and 10-speed automatic transmission.
Your Ranger your way
Next-Gen Ranger enables customers to express their uniqueness by accessorising their vehicles with a wide range of accessories. With a growing list of over 200 factory-backed adventure, urban and commercial accessories, customers will be able to personalise their
Rangers to suit their lifestyle.
Credit: Justin Jacobs
