Wildtrak will spear the range until the arrival of the Raptor next year.
After months of speculation and more recently, a pre-production model drive, Ford has officially confirmed price and specification details of the all-new T6.2 Ranger.
Debuting just over a week after its new sibling, the Volkswagen Amarok, the Ranger again provides the base for the Ranger Raptor and Everest and last month, officially entered production at the Blue Oval’s Silverton Plant outside Pretoria.
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The completion of a record R15.8-billion investment announced last year with a further R600-million being spent on upgrading the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, the Ranger takes pride of place as it, along with the Amarok, will be made at the former facility now that both the Ranger Raptor and Everest once again originate from Thailand.
Billed as the most advanced and capable Ranger ever made, the T6.2 replaces the T6 that departed in November after sales of 873 751 units over eleven years, of which 271 000 were sold in South Africa.
Already extensively profiled externally with styling more derived from the F-150 than before, the initial line-up spans four trim levels; base, XL, XLT and Wildtrak in double cab bodystyle only.
The more workhorse focused single cab and Super Cab derivatives will, however, be added in early 2023, with the Raptor following soon after.
On the power front, two versions of the diesel engines made in Nelson Mandela Bay have been allocated; the single-turbo 2.0-litre Panther that produces 125kW/405Nm, the bi-turbo mill retuned from 157kW/500 to 154kW/500Nm and the undoubted main attraction, the 3.0-litre turbodiesel Lion V6 that delivers 184kW/500Nm.
Transmissions consist of a new six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic on the single-turbo, and a configured version of the General Motors co-developed ten-speed automatic on the bi-turbo and V6.
On the the drive wheels front, both the four-cylinder offerings can be specified with rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, with the V6 coming as standard with a full-time four-wheel-drive system complete with an electronic transfer case.
Regardless of the configuration though, all Rangers have a ground clearance of 237 mm, tow rating of 3 500 kg for a braked trailer, wading depth of 800 mm and the following dimensions;
Specification-wise, the unbadged base models comes as standard with 16-inch steel wheels, the new 10.1-inch SYNC4 touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system, eight-inch digital instrument cluster as well as the following:
Next-up, the XL swaps the steel wheels for alloys still measuring 16-inches, but gains colour coded front bumpers and electric mirrors, a front skidplate, rear bumper with integrated step, cloth as opposed to vinyl seats, as well as rubber floor mats and a rear 12-volt power outlet.
Above the XL, the ever popular XLT opens the luxury focused range off with items on offer consisting of a chrome grille, body coloured bumpers and door handles, the C-shaped LED headlights, as well as folding electric mirrors, standard side-steps, a tow bar and binliner.
Also standard are rain sense wipers, a six-speaker sound system, keyless entry and push-button start, Hill Descent Control, a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and a drive mode selector with four settings; Slippery, Eco, Normal and Tow.
No less than packages bundling a series of items ranging from 18-inch alloys, integrated satellite navigation, a wireless smartphone charger and partial leather seats, to Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Auto High Beam Assist can however be fitted to the XLT.
Until the arrival of the Raptor next year though, the Wildtrak completes the Ranger range as the sole derivative to offer the Lion V6 as an option over the bi-turbo Panther.
It’s expansive specification sheet meanwhile comprises the uprated twelve-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a ten-speaker B&O Play sound system, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, partial leather upholstery, ambient lighting plus:
As on the XLT, the Wildtrak can be specified with standalone options consisting of an automatic roller shutter, Cargo Management System, 20-inch alloy wheels and 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber.
Standard fare across the entire new Ranger range is a four-year/120 000 km warranty with a service plan being optional.
