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Ford's locally-built bakkie: Spruced Ranger in SA

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  • 33 Ranger bakkie derivatives
  • Six specification levels
  • XLT, Wildtrak top the new line-up

Pretoria – The new Ford Ranger, produced at the automaker’s Silverton factory in Pretoria, will reach SA showrooms in November.

The Duratorq TDCi engines are manufactured at the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth. The new bakkie sports a spruced exterior, revised interior, improved tech and the line-up expands with the addition of new variants.

Gallery: 2015 Ford Ranger

The refreshed Ranger has a new, assertive design complete with, the automaker says, a new bonnet, trapezoidal grille and projector headlights. Inside, it has a new dual-instrument cluster and enhanced technology and improved insulation.

Refreshed bakkie range

The new Ford Ranger is available in a wide range of specification for a total of 33 derivatives.
For the single cab, 12 models are offered, from the Base 2.5 petrol chassis cab to the 3.2 XLS 4x4 manual.

The Super Cab line-up has been expanded from five to six variants; from the 88kW 2.2 Duratorq TDCi 4x2 to the new 3.2 4x4 auto, offered in high-level XLT guise for the first time.

Watch: Ford Ranger takes on the beaten track

The revised double cab range sees the addition of two new variants (118kW 2.2 Duratorq TDCi XL 4x4 and XLT-spec 2.2 TDCi 4x2 manual) for a total of 15. The 3.2 TDCi XLT is available in either 4x2 and 4x4 guise, with a choice of manual or auto transmissions.

The Wildtrak variant can be specified in 3.2 TDCi 4x2 manual or auto, or the range-topping 4x4 auto.


Wheels24's SEAN PARKER will attend the SA launch of the new Ranger later this week. Check back on Friday for his driving impressions.

Improved engines

The new Ranger can be powered with a choice of two diesel engines (3.2 and 2.2 litre) and a single petrol option (2.5 litre).

The five-cylinder 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi is capable of 147kW/ 470Nm, four-cylinder 2.2-litre has been tuned to deliver (118kW/385Nm) and the diesel 2.2 produces 88kW/285Nm. The 2.5-litre Duratec petrol produces 122kW/226Nm.

Depending on derivative, engines can be mated to a six-speed manual or auto, or a five-speed manual on mid-output diesel and petrol variants.

Click here for 2015 Ford Ranger specifications

2015 Ford Ranger in SA - the facts:

Built tough

The Ranger has 230mm ground clearance, 800mm water-wading depth, 28-degree approach and 25-degree departure angles. Its towing capacity is 3500kg.

A robust electronically controlled transfer case allows drivers in 4x4 models to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high via a knob on the centre console.

For low-speed torque or additional downhill control, drivers can engage low-range while an electronic locking rear- differential helps to improve tractions. Its suspension and steering has been improved.

Advanced technology

The Ranger is fitted with Ford’s in-car connectivity system - SYNC2 (standard on the new XLT and Wildtrak). Ford said: “Using voice commands, like “temperature 20 degrees”, “play AC/DC” or “call John”, the driver can control the car’s climate controls, entertainment system and phone functions more easily than ever before”.

The bakkie has a 240-volt power socket that can be used to power a laptop or mobile device..
In terms of safety it has electronic stability program (ESP) and ABS on all but the entry-level version (ABS is an option).

The ESP integrates traction control, hill assist, hill descent control, adaptive load control and trailer-sway control, while ABS includes emergency brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.

In addition, the top-specification new Ranger Wildtrak is equipped with lane-keeping alert and lane assist, adaptive cruise control with forward alert, tyre pressure monitor, driver impairment monitor and park assist (front and rear).

All bakkies are sold with a four-year or 120 000km comprehensive warranty, five-year or 100 000km service plan (excluding Base derivatives), three-year or unlimited km roadside assistance and five-year or unlimited km corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 20 000km (petrol and diesel derivatives) and 4x4 versions include a free off-road training course.

Why no prices yet?

Ford SA confirmed that the new Ranger will arrive at dealerships in November, and therefore pricing will only be confirmed at the end of October.

Model range

Single Cab
2.5 Base Chassis Cab 4x2 5MT Low Rider 4x2 (122kW)
2.5 Base 4x2 5MT Low Rider 4x2(122kW)
2.2 TDCi Base Chassis Cab 4x2 5MT (88kW)
2.2 TDCi Base 4x2 5MT (88kW)
2.2 TDCi XL 4x2 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XL 4x4 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XLS 4x2 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XL-Plus Chassis Cab 4x4 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XL-Plus 4x4 6MT (118kW)

3.2 TDCi XLS 4x2 6MT (147kW)
2.2 TDCi XLS 4x4 6MT (118kW)
3.2 TDCi XLS 4x4 6MT(147kW)

Super Cab
2,2 TDCi Base 4x2 5MT (88kW)
2.2 TDCi  XL 4x2 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi  XL 4x4 6MT (118kW)
3.2 TDCi XLS 4x2 6MT(147kW)
3.2 TDCi XLS 4x4 6MT(147kW)
3.2 TDCi XLT 4x4 6AT (147kW)

Double Cab
2.2 TDCi Base 4x2 5MT (88kW)
2.2 TDCi  XL 4x2 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XL 4x4 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XL-Plus Chassis Cab 4x4 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XL-Plus 4x4 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XLS 4x2 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XLS 4x4 6MT (118kW)
2.2 TDCi XLT 4x2 6MT (118kW)
3.2 TDCi XLT 4x2 6MT(147kW)
3.2 TDCi XLT 4x2 6AT (147kW)
3.2 TDCi XLT 4x4 6MT (147kW)
3.2 TDCi XLT 4x4 6AT (147kW)
3.2 TDCi Wildtrak 4x2 6MT (147kW)
3.2 TDCi Wildtrak 4x2 6AT (147kW)
3.2 TDCi Wildtrak 4x4 6AT (147kW)

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