- New model, a familiar platform
- Locally produced
- More Capable
- Range and options
- Tyre options
- Driving impression
- The Amarok in the room
Ford recently introduced its new Ranger to the local motoring media, and we were there to put the newcomer through its paces to determine whether this is the new king of the double cabs.
The double cab bakkie is a South African favourite, with thousands joining local roads every month, meaning that when there is a new version of a locally produced best seller, it is a big deal for the local automotive landscape. The Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux have been trading blows in the sales charts over the past decade and there is a new version of the former which we had a chance to sample in the Western Cape recently.
New model, a familiar platform
The latest Ranger may be new in many ways, but its platform is based on the previous T6 underpinnings, but has been modified, and is now dubbed the T6.2 which is said to make it more modular, despite retaining its ladder-frame chassis.
Locally produced
The new Ranger, like its predecessor, will be produced at Ford’s Silverton production facility which has a capacity of 200 000 vehicles per year and is the third of five global facilities to produce the Ranger, which is sold in 180 countries. The brand invested R15.8-billion into the facility and a further R600 million in the engine plant in Struandale to produce the new V6 engine. In total, some 5 500 people work for Ford South Africa, and some 60 000 jobs are secured through the entire value chain, making the Ranger an important product within the local market.
More Capable
The latest Ranger is a bigger vehicle than before, with a 50mm longer wheelbase and a 50mm longer track, resulting in a larger load box which can take a full pallet (1 224mm). There is also a better breakover angle (30 degrees) and departure angle (23.5 degrees), however, ground clearance is slightly lower at 234mm (224mm in Base and XL) but wading depth is an impressive 800mm.
The brand has also made an auxiliary switch bank standard on flagship models and an optional extra on other variants, allowing for aftermarket products to be fitted. Ford has also re-engineered the front end of the car to accommodate the larger powertrains while making more space for a secondary battery with niceties such as a 240V inverter on flagship models also great for those looking for added utility. For those interested in aftermarket modifications, Ford has worked with Australian accessory maker ARB to produce over 100 Ford Approved accessories for the vehicle.
Powertrains
The double cab range is available with three engine options and three gearbox options. At the entry-level, there is an unchanged 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 125kW/405Nm of torque which is paired with either an all-new 6-speed manual gearbox or an existing 6-speed torque converter automatic that has a new control unit. Moving up the range there’s an updated version of the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine that produces slightly less power than before at 154kW, but retains the 500Nm of torque and is paired with a revised version of the 10-automatic gearbox. Both engines are available with either 4×2 or selectable all-wheel drive systems, depending on the application.
The big news is the addition of a turbocharged V6 diesel engine into the range. The engine will be familiar to Land Rover fans as it has its roots in the products such as the Discovery. The flagship Wildtrak is the only model in which the new 184kW/600Nm V6 is available. The six-cylinder model is the only variant to feature a permanent all-wheel drive system. There is also scope for alternative powertrains within the Ranger platform, so expect some form of electrification in the future.
Range and options
The big news surrounding the new Ranger is not only the increased standard specification but also the comprehensive list of options available for the various model lines. The entry-level in the double cab range aptly named the Base comes with 16-inch steel wheels, auto headlights, front and rear mud flaps, a load box cap with tie-down points, airconditioning, vinyl seat trim, electric windows, an 8.0-inch digitised instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with the SYNC 4A software (Apple CarPlay & Android Auto), four-speaker sound, USB A and C and FordPass connectivity. There are also 7 airbags, traction and stability control, trailer sway control, hill start assist and remote central locking. The Base model can also have an upgrade pack installed for R13 600 which includes a chrome grille, door handles and mirror covers, body-coloured front bumper, plastic rear bumper, cruise control and spray-in bedliner with a 12V socket.
Moving up the range we find the XL spec, which adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a body-coloured front bumper, a black rear bumper, electrically adjustable mirrors, an easy lift tailgate, a locking rear differential, a rear 12V socket, cloth seats, carpets and rubber floor mats. There are a host of upgrade kits available for the XL, which we have included in an image below.
The next models in the range are the XLT variants which get C-clamp LED headlights, a chrome grille bar, body-coloured front and rear bumpers, heated electrically adjustable mirrors, a spray-in bedliner with 12V power outlet, cloth seats, leather-clad gear lever, six-speaker sound, additional cup holders, keyless push-button start, cruise control, rearview camera and drive modes including Eco, Normal, Slippery and Tow/Haul. We have included the optional packs available on the XLT models below.
The current flagship within the Ranger model lineup is the Wildtrak which gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a grey accent in the front grille, auto high beam lamps, side steps, roof rails, underbody protection, sports bar with load box tie downs, a rear box step and a drop-in bedliner with 12V and 240V/400W power sockets. There are also electrically adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, an electronic parking brake, leather seats and steering wheel, overhead upfitter switches, a 12.0-inch central infotainment screen, a wireless charger, 10-speaker B&O speaker system, a 360-degree camera system, off-road model for the SYNC system, active park assist, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, a tyre pressure monitor, BLIS and a raft of semi-autonomous driving aids. We have included the options available in the Wildtrak below.
Tyre options
Ford has partnered up with Goodyear as a tyre supplier and has two compounds available in the Ranger line-up, namely the Wranger Territory HT which is a more road-biased tyre as well as the Wrangler Territory AT S which, as its name suggests, is the all-terrain option in the range for those looking at better off-road performance. At the launch we felt a noticeable difference between the two tyres when heading off-road, but found them relatively similar on the road, making the AT S our pick.
Driving impression
At the media event, we had a chance to drive both the XLT and Wildtrak derivatives extensively through some serious off-road routes and a variety of on-road scenarios. The event started with the XLT derivative and it took less than five minutes in the newcomer to realise how much better the powertrain is now versus that seen in our former Stormtrak long-term vehicle here at AutoTrader. While the hardware is the same with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine and 10-speed automatic gearbox, the calibration has been improved massively, with the gearbox now more willing to hold a higher gear and ride the torque curve, allowing for far smoother power delivery. The improved powertrain is complemented by better refinement and superior ride quality which endows the product with a much-improved driving experience.
We then hopped on board the new V6 variant which improves things further with effortless power delivery and even better integration with the 10-speed automatic gearbox. While the powertrain can’t quite match the overall grunt of the outgoing Amarok, the refinement and linear power delivery mean that there is more than sufficient grunt for most applications, including towing and overtaking.
It was in the Wildtrak where we got to grips with the latest SYNC 4 infotainment system and checked out both the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. We like the inclusion of physical buttons below the large ventral screen and how configurable the digital instrument cluster is, making the Ranger the current benchmark for bakkies when it comes to infotainment.
We took both models across some difficult off-road routes such as the Hottentots Holland Mountains and Hex River where the added size of the newcomer was noted, making navigating tight driving scenarios difficult. Overall, the Ranger is still a capable product when heading off-road, with our entire convoy emerging from the lengthy excursion unscathed.
The Amarok in the room
One of the big talking points surrounding the latest Ranger is that the upcoming Volkswagen Amarok is its mechanical twin, and will be built by Ford alongside the Ranger at the Silverton production facility. Having recently driven the Volkswagen version at its international launch in Cape Town we can state with some authority that the products are very similar in what they offer as a package, however, we will have to wait for exact local pricing and specification for the Amarok, which will be announced early in 2023, to make a definitive decision.
Pricing
Base
2.0L SiT Double Cab 4×2 6MT R486 000
2.0L SiT Double Cab 4×4 6MT R528 600
XL
2.0L SiT Double Cab XL 4×2 6MT R529 900
2.0L SiT Double Cab XL 4×2 6AT R544 400
2.0L SiT Double Cab XL 4×4 6MT R607 300
2.0L SiT Double Cab XL 4×4 6AT R621 900
XLT
2.0L SiT Double Cab XLT 4×2 6AT R592 700
2.0L SiT Double Cab XLT 4×4 6AT R669 800
2.0L BiT Double Cab XLT 4×2 10AT R702 300
2.0L BiT Double Cab XLT 4×4 10AT R782 100
Wildtrak
2.0L BiT Double Cab Wildtrak 4×2 10AT R778 300
2.0L BiT Double Cab Wildtrak 4×4 10AT R867 700
3.0L V6 Double Cab Wildtrak 4WD 10AT R953 500
The pricing includes a 4-year/120 000km warranty while a 6-year/90 000km service plan is an R18 740.40 option.
Verdict
Having spent a considerable amount of time driving the latest Ranger on and off-road, we feel confident that Ford has moved the proverbial goalposts in the double cab segment. In addition to being more refined, better to drive, more practical and featuring better standard specification, the various packages that the brand now offers mean that customers can genuinely specify the perfect double cab for their budget and lifestyle. The potent Raptor variant as well as the extended and single-cab Ranger models will be released early in 2023, completing the local line-up.
Sean NurseWith a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.View News & Reviews
Keyword: New-generation Ford Ranger launched locally