Calm before storm

STORMTRAK: NO RUSH FOR ALL-NEW MODEL JUST YET

T6.2 Ford Ranger only expected to show its face locally later in 2022.

The current Ford Ranger, code name the T6, is in the process of being replaced by an all-new model that goes by the T6.2 code. Thanks to the semiconductor shortage, we can only hope to see the new model locally by the end of the year.

We are happy to bide our time in the meantime, as the journey in our long-term Ford Ranger Stormtrak has been nothing short of memorable.

The current T6 Ford Ranger has been a runaway success for the Blue Oval, especially after its first facelift in 2015.

It has been able to do what no other bakkie could – and that’s take the sales fight to Toyota and its Hilux.

The Stormtrak is, of course, an externally enhanced version of the ever-popular Wildtrak, with its biggest attribute in my book being the automatic rollerbed shutter.

Besides it being way safer than the traditional tonneau cover that can easily be removed or sliced open, nothing beats showing off by simply pushing a button and watching as everybody marvels at its easy open and close functionality.

Pardon the pun, but the automatic rollerbed shutter will be rolled out onto the new T6.2 Ford Ranger models as well.

As for the drivetrain, that, too, will be carried over into the new T6.2 Ford Ranger, but with a number of revisions.

For starters, the 10-speed automatic gearbox will be updated, hopefully so it skips gears a bit less, or too quickly like it seems to do now. This results in a loss of grunt when you need it most, in my humble opinion.

Then there is the engine.

In the Stormtrak, the 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel makes 157kW of power and 500Nm of solid torque.

In the new T6.2 Ford Ranger, power will be reduced to 155kW, with torque unchanged.

The reason? I have no idea. I assume it has been done as a means of lowering the expected starting price relative to the flagship 3.0-litre V6 which will produce 184kW and 600Nm.

Or it is to make the tree huggers happy and reduce the carbon dioxide output?

Talking about emissions; from town driving, two trips to Kwa-Zulu-Natal and back, towing a racecar and taking an extra-large rottweiler to the vet, our Stormtrak has performed with aplomb.

Until the new T6.2 Ford Ranger arrives, the current T6 Ford Ranger will prevail and in the case of our Stormtrak, it has not missed a beat after 23 000kmetres.

Next month we will talk to you about the semiconductor-hungry computers driving the Ranger Stormtrak.