The line-up of the new Ford Ranger makes the vehicle an even more compelling choice amongst workhorse and leisure-oriented pick-up customers. The latest Ranger features an extensive range of mechanical, technological, feature and comfort upgrades.
“The current Ranger has been a fantastic success story for Ford in South Africa where it remains one of the country’s top-selling vehicles, and the leading LCV export to markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager Marketing at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
“The New Ranger introduces fresh exterior and interior design cues that build on its ‘tough truck’ image, complemented by the adoption of new technologies that further bolster the Ranger’s established reputation for safety, convenience and comfort.
“With an extensive range of under-the-skin changes, including the introduction of the all-new 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo and Single Turbo diesel engines, a revolutionary new 10-speed automatic transmission and a revised suspension set-up, this is by far the biggest upgrade yet for the current-generation Ranger, which continues to be proudly produced at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria,” Mashinini adds.
Continuing the Ranger’s proven ‘Built Ford Tough’ heritage, the assertive styling of the 2019 model delivers an even more powerful presence on the road. The latest model offers the opportunity to provide greater differentiation in the series.
Accordingly, the front-end design of the popular XLT series has been updated to have a more horizontal feel, with the centre grille bar now divided into two, giving it a more precise and well-crafted look.
The lower bumper also presents a sense of solidity and strength through the centre beam that runs into the outer fog lamp areas. With a wider lower grille, the new bumper complements and harmonises well with the new front end. The same design execution has been applied to XL and XLS variants.
The range-topping and very popular Wildtrak, which now comes with HID headlamps and LED daytime running lights, has been intentionally kept more familiar with the vertical aspect ratio grille that also incorporates the ‘nostrils’ in its design. Along with a split centre bar and additional venting holes for cooling, the new design is more aggressive in its application but remains true to the Wildtrak DNA.
The Wildtrak lower bumper surface is more chiselled than before, again reinforcing its ‘tough truck’ image with a wider lower grille and silver accented skid plate. The larger, more aggressive fog lamp bezels are pushed further outboard, again accentuating width and incorporating LED fog lamps that give a greater level of distinction for the Wildtrak.
A striking new Saber Orange exterior colour makes its debut on the Wildtrak, matched to a unique dark, titanium-effect finish for the trapezoidal grille and distinctive outboard air intakes. The same titanium-effect accent colour extends to the side mirrors, door handles, side air vents and load-bed rails for a bold and sporty appearance.
The comfortable and car-like interior is now delivered with an Ebony Black environment, and the painted surfaces are given greater shine and depth.
The Wildtrak’s updated interior delivers a more upscale, sporting appeal featuring dark-satin chrome elements, a gloss-finish decorative spear and upscale partial-leather seats embossed with Wildtrak graphics. The seats have also been redesigned to be both sportier and more luxurious, incorporating additional leather content, ‘Mettle’ carbon-like weave accents and ‘Saber Orange’ stitching.
Building on the Ranger’s revered reputation for performance, the latest model sees the introduction of the advanced new-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder Bi-Turbo and Single Turbo engines, assembled at Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth.
Both engines offer superior performance, fuel efficiency and a significant improvement in overall refinement with lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels compared to the existing engine range.
The high-tech 2.0 Bi-Turbo engine is available on the Wildtrak, and will also power the soon to be launched Ranger Raptor. Delivering optimised performance alongside improved fuel-efficiency, the Bi-Turbo engine relies on a variable-geometry high-pressure turbocharger along with a fixed-geometry low-pressure unit.
All models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A six-year/90 000km service plan is included, with 15 000km service intervals.
Pricing: R287 100 – R287 100 – R687 200.
