Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
FX4 hits the sweet spot
BAKKIES, as we call them, or to be more specific, double cabs – we can’t seem to get enough of them as the monthly sales reports show, and when a “limited edition” gets added to the range, manufacturers struggle to keep up with the demand.
The latest variation comes out of Ford’s Ranger stable called the FX4, which if you’re not into cars, sounds like a character out of a Marvel series.
Come to think of it, in black, it could very well be the chosen mode of transport for one of those characters, and with the FordPass Connect App, be used for all those special effects.
The FX4 comes hot on the heels of the Ranger Thunder, which has proved very popular among buyers.
Based on the XLT 2.0 litre single turbo, the FX4 is more than just a few stickers slapped on the body.
The black grill comes from the Thunder parts bin, sans the red detailing, with integrated LED headlights and daytime running lights. Black mirrors, black door handles and black 18inch alloys are complemented by bold red strategically placed FX4 decals.
The load bay receives a new tubular sports bar, a drop in bedliner for protection, six tie-down points and a 12-volt socket, that if you’re going to be using it as a proper leisure vehicle, is a fantastic addition.
The interior boasts its own personality with a soft-touch leather trimmed dashboard with red stitching carried through to the steering wheel.
Sync3 comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
Connectivity is all the rage and all new Rangers coming off the line in Pretoria will have FordPass Connect controlled via the FordPass App.
It’s a handy App that will allow even more possibilities. For now as long as there is internet connectivity, it lets you do things like lock and unlock doors remotely, start the engine remotely to get the climate control operating 15 minutes before you climb in, find its location or a dealer, book a service, check fuel levels and oil life, search for parking, and provides direct access to Ford’s roadside assistance. It also allows wireless vehicle software updates.
But to get the real gist of the vehicle there’s driving to do and for the local launch, that meant two days driving parts of the Transkei’s Wild Coast.
Underpinnings are exactly the same as the XLT derivatives so you get a 2.0 litre single turbo diesel mill producing 132kW and 420Nm of torque matched to the well-proven 10-speed automatic transmission offering sport and manual shifts. The FX4 is available in 4x2 and 4x4 but for unmaintained Eastern Cape roads, 4x4 was called for.
Heading from the airstrip through Port St Johns you see first hand what no maintenance, no upgrades, missing money and lack of leadership does to a community. I passed through there 15 years ago and it was dodgy then but now it’s a derelict den falling apart.
It’s a pity, because it could be a flourishing town thriving as a result of tourism.
Beyond that, though, the Wild Coast is an absolute gem, with unspoilt beaches, magnificent views from cliffs and ideal roads for the FX4, with much of it driven in 4H which can be done on the fly.
On a couple of sections my driving partner and I engaged 4L more to test it by choosing a difficult line as well as downhill descent control, which you can set with the cruise control buttons.
The FX4, like its siblings, is an extremely capable 4x4 with diff lock for those very-hard-to-get-to places, and I have no doubt it will be well received by potential buyers looking for something a little different.
And do yourself a favour – if you own a Ranger, drive to the Wild Coast, engage the transfer case and get to understand why it’s called such.
All Ranger models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a fouryear/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance, five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty and a six year/90 000km service plan.