By Otsile Kadiege

The all-new, next-gen Ranger was launched on local soil about a month ago and now Ford South Africa is expanding the new Ranger line up with an extensive list of Single Cab and SuperCab variants including the new, first-ever Wildtrak SuperCab.

Practicality

Cargo management of the new Ranger received significant improvements. It now has a wider cargo box packed with features and opportunities to transform the space into a total cargo management makerspace. The Ranger is now 50mm wider, allowing the cargo box to accommodate a standard European pallet between the wheel arches (up to 1 224mm), while the loadbox length runs up to 2 305mm on the Single Cab models for maximum loading volume. The payload capacity ranges from 964kg to 1 186kg, depending on model.

New Ranger Single Cab and SuperCab XL

Four XL Single Cab models are available, with a choice of 4×2 or 4×4, and manual or automatic gearboxes, while the XL SuperCab is offered in manual and auto for the 4×2 models, or six-speed automatic for the 4×4 derivative. A locking rear differential is standard.

On the design front the XL series features 16-inch alloy wheels in Sparkle Silver fitted with locking wheel nuts, along with a body-colour front bumper and black rear bumper. A towbar is will be available as an optional extra. Power adjustable mirrors are fitted along with cloth seats, full carpets, all-weather rubber mats for the driver and passenger, and a 12-volt socket in the centre console bin.

Customers have the option of choosing from five XL Upgrade Packs. The packs provide an extensive range of cosmetic and functional enhancements including chrome trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-view camera with park distance sensors, cruise control and 17-inch rims with either all-terrain or all-season tyres, and a specially developed off-road pack with steel underbody protection for the front, engine and transfer case, a plastic fuel tank guard and 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain tyres.

New Ranger Single Cab and SuperCab XLT

The XLT series adds a higher level of premium equipment, and is available in 125kW 2.0L Single Turbo 4×2 guise with a six-speed automatic transmission, or the powerful 154kW 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine matched to 4×4 and Ford’s advanced 10-speed automatic. Distinctive design features include the C-clamp LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, front grille with a chrome centre bar, and body-colour treatment for the mirrors, door handles and rear bumper. A spray-in bed liner with integrated 12V power socket adds further practicality to the load compartment. The XLT is also equipped with side steps and a towbar as standard.

As standard, the XLT derivatives are equipped with  smart keyless entry and push-button start system, cloth seats with six-way adjustment for the driver and front passenger, a leather-trimmed gearshift lever, electronically adjustable exterior mirrors, power-operated front windows can be opened or closed via the remote with the global open/close function.

Additional safety and convenience features on the XLT include an electrochromatic interior mirror, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, a rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors, and cruise control.

Six Upgrade Packs are also available on the XLT series. A styling pack is available with black treatment for the front grille, mirrors and door handles, the addition of a black sports bar, painted accent colours for the front and rear bumpers and fog lamp bezels. A choice of 17 and 18-inch alloy sport wheels are available, along with the off-road underbody protection kit which is packaged with 17 or 18-inch rims and all-terrain tyres. The interior upgrades comprise dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pad, embedded navigation for the SYNC 4A system, partial leather seats and auxiliary accessory switches mounted in the roof. Safety upgrades available include the Collision Mitigation System (with Pre-Collision Assist, Dynamic Brake Support, Forward Collision Warning and Automated Emergency Braking), Post-Impact Braking, Lane Keep Assist (with Lane-Keeping and Road Departure warning) and automatic high-beam headlight activation.

New Ranger Wildtrak SuperCab

The exciting new addition is the Wildtrak specification on the SuperCat. It’s solely powered by a 154kW 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine with four-wheel drive and paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Visually the Wildtrak SuperCab is distinguished from the rest of the range with its mesh grille finished in signature Boulder Grey, which is also used for the mirrors, front bumper and rear bumper. The Ranger’s innovative load box side step is standard, along with roof rails, rear sports hoop, aluminium load box tie-down rails, LED front fog lamps and exterior mirrors with puddle lamps. Standard 18-inch alloy rims are fitted with all-season tyres, but customers can opt for all-terrain 18-inch tyres or 20-inch alloy rims with all-season tyres.

Premium features throughout the cabin include eight-way power adjustable front seats with partial leather trim, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, premium floor mats and overhead auxiliary switches for accessories.

Powertrains and drivetrains

The new additions to the range are available with updated versions of Ford’s 2.0-litre Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo in-line four-cylinder diesel engines. The 2.0L Single Turbo unit is common to all XL Single Cab models, as well as three XL SuperCab derivatives. It produces 125kW and 405Nm, and is available with a new-generation six-speed manual gearbox or the latest-spec six-speed automatic – and a choice of 4×2 or electronic shift on the fly 4×4 systems. A higher-spec XLT SuperCab 4×2 derivative is also offered with the same engine, paired with the six-speed auto.

For customers looking for more power, the 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine is exclusively available on the SuperCab 4×4 models in a choice of XLT and Wildtrak trim levels. This engine delivers 154kW and 500Nm of torque, and is mated to Ford’s superb 10-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing and warranty

Single Cab

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×2 6MT – R464,200

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×2 6AT – R477,800

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×4 6MT – R531,300

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×4 6AT – R545,000

SuperCab

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×2 6MT – R485,400

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×2 6AT – R499,900

–       2.0L SiT XL 4×4 6AT – R542,900

–       2.0L SiT XLT 4×2 6AT – R547,100

–       2.0L BiT XLT 4×4 10AT – R688,900

–       2.0L BiT Wildtrak 4×4 10AT – R772,800

Included in the purchase price is a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.

Customers have the option of purchasing service or maintenance plans up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.