Ford SA launches ’built tough’ Ranger

Motoring journalists from the sub-Sahara including BusinessDay Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and Cameroon gathered at Western Cape region of Cape Town South Africa to witness the media unveiling and test drive of built tougher, smarter, more efficient new Ford Ranger Pick-up utility vehicle with Cape Town International Airport as the take off point after the traditional driver briefing and signing of indemnity forms by the motoring journos.

From its outside looks to inside, the new Ranger has a stylish, smart and functional new interior, aerodynamic exterior, as well as best-in-class water-wading, towing and payload capabilities. Under the hood, significant improvements in Ford’s latest generation 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder and 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder TDCi diesel engines help the new Ranger deliver up to 12% better fuel-efficiency.

True to our ‘Built Ford Tough’ heritage, the new Ranger offers more power and payload capacity than any other pickup in most markets. It’s also the only pickup to feature a range of new safe and smart technologies, and raises the level of refinement in the segment.

According to a source at Ford Motors South Africa “We know that drivers want the ruggedness of a truck and the comfort of a passenger vehicle, and we’re confident the new Ranger offers them this versatility, helping them achieve more, whether at work or with their family.”

In terms of capability and refinement coupled with a class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800mm deep, and 230mm of ground clearance, the new Ranger is ranks among the most capable pickup in the segment. Thanks to a 28-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle, the new Ranger was designed and engineered to handle even the most extreme terrains with ease.

An electronically controlled transfer case allows drivers in 4×4 models to shift on the fly from 4×2 to 4×4 high with a knob on the centre console. For low-speed torque or additional downhill braking, drivers can also engage low-range 4×4 gearing, while an electronic locking rear differential helps to improve traction in difficult conditions. These off-road strengths are matched by towing capability of up to 3,500 kg and exceptional payload capacity of up to 1,200kg.

Driving experience is further enhanced by an electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system, which provides precise steering with a natural and confident feel. With EPAS, steering is light and manageable for low-speed manoeuvring, such as parking, and precise at higher speeds – with assistance varying as necessary based on speed, steering wheel angle, cornering forces and acceleration or deceleration.

The new Ranger’s impressive power, capability, and payload and towing capacity are made possible thanks to powerful and efficient engines paired to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Described by the automaker as the smartest of its kind, it comes equipped with an array of smart technologies. Ranger’s intuitive features make any task a breeze. The high performance WildTrak variant features SYNC 2, the latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity system that boasts an eight-inch colour touchscreen to operate phone, entertainment and climate control using a simple voice command system.

A host of other convenient features have been designed with the driver in mind. The new Ranger comes with audible parking sensors in both the front and rear. It also features front and rear park assist and a rear-view camera, which gives a clear view behind the vehicle and is especially handy when parking and hitching up a trailer.

Two other convenient features are a light installed in the cargo tray, which gives all the light needed to complete a job, and a 230-volt power socket that can be used to power a laptop computer anywhere, from a work site to a family road trip. Both handy features are exclusive to the Ranger in the pickup segment.

The Ranger’s reinforced safety cell is supplemented with the protection of frontal impact airbags for the driver and passenger in all variants, and a class-leading six airbag configuration in the WildTrak variant, which also features side and curtain airbags.

The Ranger also comes fitted with Forward Alert, a smart driver assistance feature that gives drivers a visual and audible warning if the vehicle in front gets too close.

In addition, the Wildtrak features Adaptive Cruise Control, an intelligent feature that uses radar sensors to detect traffic ahead, and automatically adjusts the cruise control speed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.

Complementing this is Lane Keeping Aid, which uses a front-facing camera located behind the rear-view mirror to read lane markings and detect if the driver unintentionally leaves their lane. Lane Keeping Aid uses a smooth steering torque intervention to gently pull the driver back on course. If the driver continues to drift off course, lane departure warning can warn the driver by vibrating the steering wheel.

Ford’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and ISOFIX child safety mounts also come standard, making Ranger the only pickup truck in the Malaysia to offer these two important safety features across all variants.

ESC is an active safety system that improves driver control under all conditions and maximises vehicle traction and stability both on- and off-road, and automatically reduces engine torque and/or applies a braking force to individual wheels if it senses the vehicle is turning more or less than intended.

Other smart technologies across all variants include hill launch assist which holds the Ranger in place for up to three seconds when the driver removes their foot from the brake – adaptive load control, which maximises control when carrying heavy loads, and emergency brake assist.

MIKE OCHONMA