Brian Joss –
Flagship of the Ford Ranger line-up
The new Ranger Wildtrak, the ultimate model in the Ford Ranger line-up, made its global debut this week, complete with a new array of smart technologies and an even bolder look.
“The new Wildtrak takes the Ford Ranger to the next level with an aggressive exterior, a premium, sporty, interior, the latest Driver Assist Technologies and capabilities that ensure it’s up for any adventure,” said Trevor Worthington, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific.”
To mark the Wildtrak clearly as the flagship of the Ranger lineup, designers worked to emphasise its tough, sophisticated design. Flanked by projector head lamps, the bold trapezoidal grille with strong outboard nostrils is finished in a dark, liquid metallic gray. The same accent color continues to the side mirrors, door handles, side air vents, bed rails and tail lamps for a dark, sporty appearance.
“The accent colors on the Wildtrak help to punch out the architecture of the fascia, and make what is already a very bold design even bolder – it’s instantly recognisable on the road,” said Dave Dewitt, exterior design manager for the Ranger Wildtrak.
The new Wildtrak also features unique seats – including an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat – with bold graphical elements and orange stitching that combine toughness, durability and sportiness.
As the flagship of the Ranger nameplate, the new Wildtrak boasts a full array of cutting-edge technology to help drivers stay connected and in control.
SYNC 2, the latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity system, gives drivers smarter and safer ways to stay connected. Using natural voice commands, like “temperature 20 degrees”, “play Motörhead” or “I’m hungry”, the driver can control the car’s climate controls, entertainment system and navigation system more easily than ever before. An eight-inch touchscreen places more controls at the driver’s fingertips, with color-coded corners for easy menu navigation.
There is also an array of driver assist technologies including Lane Keeping Alert and a Lane Keeping Aid.
The new Wildtrak is engineered to wade through water up to 800 mm deep, and with 230 mm of ground clearance, it can handle the most extreme terrains with ease.
A robust 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 center console. For low-speed torque or additional downhill braking, drivers can also engage low-range
The latest generation of Ford’s globally proven 3.2-liter Duratorq five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine powers the new Wildtrak- putting out 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque. The engine features upgrades including an updated exhaust gas recirculation system help to improve fuel efficiency by up to 18 percent, Ford said. It is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, carefully calibrated to maximise performance, refinement and efficiency.
The new Wildtrak will be launched in South Africa in the fourth quarter of this year.
