Ford has finally launched the new Ranger Wildtrak X in South Africa, having first announced its imminent arrival all the way back in June.
It’s the third Ranger in the current generation to feature the Wildtrak nameplate, and is the third most expensive Ranger overall, clearing the R1-million mark with a starting tag of R1,013,100.
Having spent time behind the wheel of the Blue Oval’s latest creation, I can say that it lives up to expectations and that it has a few compelling reasons as to why it should be a good candidate for your next bakkie.
Performance
The big question you need to ask when considering the X is why you should choose it over the Wildtrak V6 or the halo-model Raptor, given that the X is only available with the brand’s 2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel engine.
Ford’s reasoning for this decision is that the X is meant to be the ultimate lifestyle vehicle in their catalogue, and that the 2.0-litre made the most sense for this purpose.
I can see where the company is coming from here, as the bi-turbo offers the same practicality as the 3.0-litre Wildtrak, with a towing capacity of 3,500kg and a load capacity of 946kg, while using less fuel. The V6 naturally has more power at 184kW and 600Nm compared to the 2.0l’s 154kW and 500Nm, but realistically you should still have more than enough power to suit your needs in most situations.
The benefit here is an official fuel consumption of 7.5l/100km compared to the V6 diesel’s 8.4l/100km, which will add up over the hundreds of kilometres you no doubt plan to do.
The Raptor, in comparison, is the least practical anyway you cut it, as it has a much lower load and towing capacity while also using a Mustang-level 11.5l/1o0km consumption thanks to its twin-turbo V6 petrol plant.
The suspension
The X’s engine is only half the story, as its next big performance upgrades are special off-road tyres and upgraded suspension.
Like the Raptor, the X has specially-developed shocks, though these are provided by Bilstein rather than Fox.
While the Raptor’s kit is intended to deliver a rally-like experience, Bilstein’s setup is all about maximizing comfort – something that reinforces the X’s identity as the best vehicle for long-distance treks.
My time with the X had us traversing the Northern Cape’s many dirt tracks, but this suspension did an excellent job of softening the ride to the point that the ruts were barely worth thinking about.
Trail Turn Assist
Ford’s other big contribution to the new double cab is a system known as Trail Turn Assist, which was developed based on feedback from customers.
It’s no secret that bakkies are getting bigger, with the Ranger now being well over five metres in length, so to compensate for the maneuverability that this takes away, the company created a system that can reduce its turning radius by 25%.
Only available at speeds under 19km/h, it works by applying the brake to the inner rear wheel of the relevant turning side, effectively locking the wheel up and letting the car swing itself around spaces it couldn’t normally manage.
Watching it in practice makes it seem like a lot more than 25% though, as the Wildtrak was suddenly able to navigate around tight hairpin bends and run circles around an obstacle like a tree or rock.
Keyword: My favourite things about the R1-million Ford Ranger Wildtrak X