SPIED IN SA: New Ford bakkie

Ford lifted the lid on the new Ranger earlier this year but Ford SA's communication manager Ben Pillay told Wheels24 back then that the new Ranger is only due for local introduction in 2007.

The Ranger takes its styling from the company's American range of pickups and it shares its styling cues with that of he most successful pickup truck in the world, the American Ford F- series.

Ford says the newcomer introduces better engine performance, fuel economy, passenger comfort, safety features, drivability, towing capacity and affordability.

The new Ford Ranger will be powered by the latest commonrail engine. This 2.5-litre engine delivers 105 kW and 330 Nm of torque at a low 1 800 r/min.

There will also be a new 3.0-litre engine and naturally the powerful 4.0-litre V6.