POWER RANGER
The new Ford Ranger has arrived, and it’s not only good looking but muscled too, just like Mr South Africa, says Cyril Klopper.
Ten years after the previous model landed on our shores, Ford introduced its new Ranger to the world at the end of last year. The latest model was developed in collaboration with Volkswagen, but it’s a little bit more Ford than VW. If it’s strongly reminiscent of the previous Ranger, that’s because it is indeed built on the same (improved) T6 platform with similar bodywork panels and dimensions.
Although the bakkie is on the same platform, it’s pretty much all new, and only a few items remain the same as in the outgoing model. Let’s take a closer look.
What do we have here?
Let’s start with what fans are most looking forward to: the Ranger gets the 3 ℓ V6 Power Stroke turbodiesel from the American Ford F-150. This engine is estimated to deliver 186 kW and 597 Nm. Customers have long been asking for it, and Ford has paid attention.
The gearbox is Ford’s own 10-speed automatic version. However, one or two readers on our Facebook page expressed their disappointment that Ford didn’t choose German company ZF Friedrichshafen’s 8HP gearbox. The Ranger will also have a manual transmission option.
In addition to the V6 engine, the Ranger retains the existing 2 ℓ single turbodiesel and 2 ℓ biturbodiesel engines. There’s also good news for customers who prefer a petrol engine, because the 2.3 ℓ EcoBoost engine – used in the Ford Focus RS – is the fourth option.
Ford’s chief engineer, Ian Foston, also revealed that Ford is considering hybrid and electric propulsion systems for the Ranger, as European law requires it. The new Ranger is, therefore, ready for this environmentally friendly technology. We guess it’s the same mild hybrid technology that was initially developed for the Ford Focus RS but that never saw the light of day because the RS was cancelled.
As we mentioned, the T6 platform is basically unchanged, though Ford moved the front wheels 50 mm forward and widened the track width by 50 mm. These changes improve the approach angle and make more room in the engine bay for the V6 and possible electric propulsion systems. The platform is now called the T6.2
Ford also moved the rear suspension dampers to the outside of the frame rails to provide a better ride.
“Our team was focussed on one goal – to make this Ranger the toughest and most capable we’ve ever created,” says Graham Pearson, Ford Ranger’s programme director. “They put it through one of the most comprehensive global test schedules to make sure it’s Ford tough.”
In terms of propulsion, buyers get to choose between a part-time four-wheel drive that can be engaged while moving, or an advanced all-wheel drive that stays on all the time (similar to Mitsubishi’s SuperSelect system).
Ford has added some interesting elements, including a ruler on the tailgate. Carpenters can now measure planks here and even clamp them down. There’s also a 12 V power point (180 W) in the load bin with which you can charge cordless power tools.
Because the track is 50 mm wider, Ford was able to enlarge the load bin so you can now use a forklift to load a standard pallet (800 x 1 210 mm) on the back, just like you can with a VW Amarok.
The load bin has a clever step on the outside – similar to the step of an Opel Corsa bakkie – to climb on the back. It’s especially useful for shorter people who previously had to use the back wheel to get a leg up.
Inside are USB and USB-C sockets and a huge 12-inch touchscreen in the more expensive models – the less pricey models get a slightly smaller 10,1-inch screen. The clocks are also digital and the computer gets Ford’s SYNC4 software that accepts voice commands and connects with the FordPass app on your smartphone. With this app you can switch on your Ranger, open and lock the doors, monitor the general status – and all this while sitting on your porch admiring your new bakkie. On top of that, your Ranger can use your home’s WiFi to download firmware updates.
In the more expensive models, the touchscreen is connected to cameras in the bodywork so you can see all around you. You can use the touchscreen – and app – to turn on lights right around the Ranger, which is especially useful when camping.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t compile a specification list for this article because the numbers and prices were not yet available at the time we went to print.
The new Ranger is built in Thailand and in South Africa’s Silverton plant near Pretoria.