Ford has expanded its dual-pedal drive Ranger bakkie offering with a new Super Car XLT 4X2 derivative.
The new model increases Ford’s number of automatic transmission bakkies to three, joining the 4x4 and 4x2 double-cabs already being marketed with a five-speed self-shifting transmissions.
The Super Cab XLT 4X2 is powered by Ford’s celebrated TDCi compression ignition engine, boosted by a variable geometry turbocharger. Power peaks at 115kW and 380Nm.
Driving the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission controlled by a 32-bit control module, the Super Cab XLT's shift regime is hardly of the antiquated bakkie variety.
Throttle positioned and engine load are constantly monitored, with requirements factored into the transmission’s variable shift patterning.
The primary appeal of an automatic bakkie is towing convenience (especially when reversing a boat into water) and ease of use in heavily trafficked environments.
To this end the Ranger’s Super Cab XLT 4X2’s1.2t towing capacity (down 600kg on its manual-transmission sibling) is quite a disappointment.
For the rest it retains the suicide door cabin access with safety catered for by front and side driver and passenger airbags.
Although this latest addition to the Ranger line-up only features a lockable rear-differential it does include a free off-road driver training course as part of the R308 390 retail price.
The new model increases Ford’s number of automatic transmission bakkies to three, joining the 4x4 and 4x2 double-cabs already being marketed with a five-speed self-shifting transmissions.
The Super Cab XLT 4X2 is powered by Ford’s celebrated TDCi compression ignition engine, boosted by a variable geometry turbocharger. Power peaks at 115kW and 380Nm.
Driving the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission controlled by a 32-bit control module, the Super Cab XLT's shift regime is hardly of the antiquated bakkie variety.
Throttle positioned and engine load are constantly monitored, with requirements factored into the transmission’s variable shift patterning.
The primary appeal of an automatic bakkie is towing convenience (especially when reversing a boat into water) and ease of use in heavily trafficked environments.
To this end the Ranger’s Super Cab XLT 4X2’s1.2t towing capacity (down 600kg on its manual-transmission sibling) is quite a disappointment.
For the rest it retains the suicide door cabin access with safety catered for by front and side driver and passenger airbags.
Although this latest addition to the Ranger line-up only features a lockable rear-differential it does include a free off-road driver training course as part of the R308 390 retail price.