TWO-PEDAL POWER

The popular Ford Ranger adds a range of autos to the stable to fend off the challenge from the Hilux

ADDING to the already extensive range of locally produced Rangers flying off its Silverton assembly line, Ford has now added nine automatic derivatives, all mated with the popular 2,2-litre turbodiesel engine. And you can understand its thinking – with 70% of Ranger 3,2-litre double-cab owners choosing the automatic option, it is likely that many 2,2-litre purchasers will follow suit.

The range includes two single cabs, three Super Cabs and four double cabs. The transmission is a conventional epicyclic type that can be left in auto mode or shifted manually through the six forward ratios. Some auto boxes can be jerky when shifting gears, while others may be sluggish and full of torque- converter slip, but to Ford’s credit, it has managed to find a well-judged compromise. There is little time lost on take-off and gear changes are deliberate and noticeable, with little in the way of hunting around for a suitable ratio (often an annoyance with automatic transmissions).

We tested 4x2 XLT and 4x4 XLS derivatives on the tar roads and soft sand dunes (4x4s only) near Vleesbaai south of Mossel Bay and, apart from the wellmatched powertrain, the suspension also impressed. Even with leaf springs at the rear, the ride quality is excellent for a bodyon-chassis vehicle and we also traversed a fair deal of gravel roads with some poor surfaces without any issues.

This smaller 2,2-litre remains the sensible engine in the range, with more than enough torque for what its owners will require of it. Perhaps the only negative is a buzz below 1 500 r/min, but that evens out and quietens down immediately thereafter. This is a common trait of diesels at low revs.

Electronic stability control is