Ford’s latest Ranger on the horizon

Consistently one of the top-two selling bakkies in South Africa each month, the Ford Ranger will come in for a significant refresh in 2019. However, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has already revealed some details…

“The current-generation Ford Ranger has been a phenomenal success, both in South Africa and internationally, and the updated models that will be released next year will raise the bar further in the highly competitive light commercial vehicle sector,” comments Ockert Berry, vice-president operations, Ford Middle East and Africa.

For 2019, the Ford Ranger will offer a greater choice of powertrains, including the new high-tech Bi-Turbo diesel engine that will, most notably, make its debut on the exciting all-new Ranger Raptor. The new-generation diesel engine will be produced on an all-new assembly line installed at the Ford Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth.

Compact, lightweight, powerful and efficient, the new engine will offer 500 Nm of torque from a low 1 750 r/min, Significantly, it drives through a ten-speed torque-convertor automatic gearbox. The Ranger’s payload and 3 500-kg towing capabilities will all be maintained.

In line with this, the Ranger’s suspension has been upgraded across the range to reduce and better control roll, with an emphasis on improving the driving experience when fully laden and towing. New packaging also enables geometry changes that bring improved ride and steering precision.

Loading will be made far easier with the introduction of an easy-lift tailgate that requires 70-percent less initial force to raise for closing.

Among various styling changes, there will be a clearer visual distinction between models; reflecting the character of each model.

It’ll be safe, too. Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist, using Inter-Urban Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Vehicle Detection and Pedestrian Detection, will be introduced on selected Ranger models.

The system is designed to detect pedestrians and vehicles and to bring Ranger to a complete stop, to help mitigate rear-end collisions and road-traffic collisions with pedestrians at speeds above 3,6 km/h.

Other notable features will include Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) and Active Park Assist (APA).

The updated Ranger will be assembled at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria. More details will be released closer to launch.