The Ford Ranger has become very popular in recent years in South Africa. Even though the new Ford Ranger doesn’t have noticeable changes to its exterior, it has undergone significant changes when it comes to its mechanical system. The new Ford Ranger represents a massive leap for the model and the South African bakkie segment.
The Ford Ranger is still available in single-, crew- and double cab models. The Ford Ranger is sold in 149 countries, and a considerable number of them are assembled in Pretoria, South Africa.
Ford has raised its game in the bakkie segment, so let’s have a look at what’s new with the Ford Ranger.
What is new to the Ford Ranger? 1
When it comes to the exterior and interior, there are very subtle changes. The most significant difference with the Ford Ranger is the powertrain. The facelift model debuts the new 2.0-litre bi-turbo and single-turbo diesel engine. It also boasts a new 10-speed automatic gearbox. The suspension has also been completely revised, making the Ranger’s on-road handling much more refined.
The new interior design has a darker and more premium look and feel to it. The Ebony black finish painted surfaces have given the Ford Ranger’s interior more shine and depth.
What can you expect from the new Ford Rangers powertrain? 1
The new Ford Ranger 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines are built in the Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth. The new 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine can be found in the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak and the new Ford Ranger Raptor model. The power output is 157kW and 500Nm of torque. The single turbo diesel 2.0-litre engine has a power output of 132 kW and 420 Nm of torque. Both of these diesel engines deliver maximum torque output at 1750 rpm.
The advantages of the new engines are that they are quieter and have a lower level of vibration. The 2 existing engines that the Wildtrak came out with initially are still available, like the 147kW 5-cylinder and the 2.2-litre TDCi.
The new 10-speed automatic transmission isn’t that new as they are used on the Ford F150 and Ford Mustang models. The gearbox is considered smart by Ford due to it being able to adapt to different conditions.
The new gearbox, according to Ford, has improved the fuel economy on the Ford Ranger by up to 9% compared to the 3.2-litre Wildtrak engine. When climbing steep hills or towing, Ford claims that the transmission is capable of locking out gears.
The suspension has been reworked by Ford for the new Ranger, improving the on-road pliancy. With the anti-roll bar being repositioned to behind the axle, this has improved roll control.
What specifications does the Ford Ranger have? 1
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak and XLT models have an awe-inspiring level of safety technology, like adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, lane-keeping alert, lane-keeping aid and automatic high beam control. The Ford Ranger also has a keyless start and a new engine start button.
The infotainment on the Ford Ranger is the latest SYNC3 system. It has an 8-inch touch screen interface, that has navigation, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto features. The Thatcham alarm is now fitted as standard across all Ranger models.
What is the price of the Ford Ranger?1
- Ford Ranger Single Cab: from R287 100 – R460 100
- Ford Ranger Super Cab: from R336 500 – R568 600
- Ford Ranger Double Cab: from R350 000 – R819 400
Now you know much more about the new Ford Ranger bakkie. Is it the bakkie for you? Comprehensive car insurance is needed if you are going to finance a Ford Ranger or any other bakkie. Comprehensive car insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. Why not consider affordable, comprehensive car insurance with Prime South Africa, that offers unique benefits like fixed premiums* if you don’t claim and a reduce-to-zero excess*. *T and Cs apply. Enjoy driving your new bakkie, whichever vehicle you choose in the end.
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