THE Next-Gen Ford Ranger range is here and after driving it, SunWheels is convinced it is here to make a statement. Everywhere you go, Ranger is not only popular but it is equally loved by many people and this is why, according to Ford South Africa, they continue to put customers at the centre of the new range which is not only good-looking, but also very practical.
The car is loved by different people and for various reasons, you name small and medium business owners, farmers, families, adventurers and commercial fleets.
During the launch drive which kicked off at Paul Cluver road which is a smooth road and it lives up to the expectations on polished surfaces, thanks to no potholes in the Mother City, we were able to keep asking for more front of the Ranger and it kept giving back to us.
And we have to agree with Doreen Mashinini, general manager for marketing at Ford South Africa that Next-Gen Ranger delivers so much more, from performance to capability, technology, safety and the entire driving and ownership experience.
Our trip led us to Hottentots Holland Mountains which forms a barrier between the Cape Town Metro and the Southern Overberg coast. Remember on the smooth tar, you are a passive driver because on auto, the car simply does the job and yours is to simply engage controls. But in the mountain, you have serious 4x4 tracks where you must get involved with selections of different drive modes with Ranger’s rotatory dial with amazing Terrain Management System.
We drove through some impossible obstacles with the Next-Gen and they looked like nothing.
Mashinini said the car will inspire owners to do more of what they love to do, with features that encourage them to explore new horizons.
The brand is really putting Mzansi on the map with this car which is also made in the country, at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Tshwane, which saw a R15,8 billion investment to modernize the facility and install latest-generation tooling at supplier companies.
International designers brought in to explain the magic behind this model range confirmed Ford SA’s views that in their quest to make Ranger the toughest and most capable bakkie ever, customer needs and expectations are at the centre with over 5000 people interviewed before the design sketches were put together.
On looks, the car is as beautiful as ever with a bold and confident appeal boosted by a defined new grille, and signature C-clamp headlight treatment we first saw in the Next-Gen Everest, which lifts the mood in the front design of the car. But looking at the Ranger from the rear is as refreshing as its front is with the tail lights continuing the flow of signature graphics on the front.
Inside, the Ranger boasts car-like cabin in using premium soft-touch materials, and a prominent portrait-style centre touchscreen with Ford’s signature SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system.
Now this comes handy because owning two cars, a pick-up and passenger car is becoming impossible in the economic climate we find ourselves in. But Next-Gen Ranger takes care of that because inside it is a proper family car with the comforts of the hot-hatch.
A hydro-formed front-end structure creates more space in the engine bay for the new V6 engine. It also opens up the front of the bakkie to allow more airflow to the radiator, which helps keep running temperatures low when towing or carrying heavy loads.
Cutomers who spoke to Ford said they want a choice of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off-roading, so the team added Ford’s proven 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and developed it for the Next-Gen.
The 3,0L V6 Diesel is exclusively offered in range-topping Wildtrak specification, and produces an impressive 184kW of power matched to a substantial 600Nm of torque via Ford’s responsive 10-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel drive system.
It also come with a choice of updated versions of the proven 2,0-litre Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo in-line four-cylinder diesel engines.
In the Base, XL and XLT Double Cab variants, the 2,0L Single Turbo unit produces 125kW and 405Nm, and is mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2,0L Bi-Turbo engine is a more sophisticated, performance variant for customers who want more power matched to good fuel economy, thanks in part to the advanced 10-speed automatic transmission, which has been further updated and refined. It is available in two XLT Double Cab derivatives and two Wildtrak Double Cab models – both with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains.
The front wheels were stretch d forward by 50mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off-road articulation, both of which improve the off-roading experience. The rear suspension dampers shifted to the outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride both on- and off-road, no matter if they’re carrying heavy cargo for work, or just taking the family out for dinner.
Next-Gen offers a choice of two four-wheel drive systems – an electronic shift-on-the-fly system on the 2,0-litre models, or an advanced full-time 4x4 system with a reassuring set-and-forget mode on the range-topping Wildtrak 3,0L V6 Diesel, designed for capability when and where customers need it. Off-road recovery is made easier with prominent dual recovery hooks in the front bumper.
The interior is smart and functional and epitomizes comfort for everyone. I opted to sit in the rear when our drive got to the Karoo Hex River 4x4 Trail and the comfort is not only for the driver but everyone in the Next-Gen is in on it.
If you know how convenient using the tablet versus cellphone is, the 10,1-inch touchscreen in the centre stack of the Base, XL and XLT models, or a 12-inch version on the Wildtrak, gives you exactly that. It is new and wonderful to experience, it might take sometime to adjust, but once you understand it your driving experience is transformed for good.
On top of that you get an embedded factory-fitted modem across the range, allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass App, which keeps you for very connected to their world. FordPass changes the ownership experience with features like remote start, vehicle status check and health alerts, digital owner’s manual and remote lock and unlock functions via your mobile device. The screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera on the Wildtrak models to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring.
All Double Cab models are equipped with Dynamic Stability Control incorporating ABS, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control.
Standard on Ranger Wildtrak and optional on XLT are Pre-Collision Assist, Post-Collision Braking, Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage, Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection. Additional features that are exclusive to the top-spec Wildtrak include Evasive Steer Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering, as well as Active Park Assist 2,0.
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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.
Pricing including all models starts from R486 000 and R953 500.
