The facelifted Ford Ranger is due to arrive in South Africa in the first half of 2019. Here’s what you can expect from the updated Ranger.

The Ford Ranger bakkie is hugely popular in South Africa and an updated version is due to arrive in the next few months. Not only will the updated Ranger be offered with more powerful engines and new transmissions but it will also be more efficient and better-equipped in terms of connectivity and safety features.

Here’s what you can expect from the updated Ranger.

1. Improved Styling

The look of the Ranger has been enhanced with a revised bumper and a new grille which features a horizontal bar that now splits the grille into 2 sections. High-spec derivatives will have bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and new exterior colours include Diffused Silver and Blue Lightning.

The Ranger Wildtrak derivative will be offered in a striking Saber Orange exterior body colour with a dark titanium-effect finish for the grille, side mirrors, door handles, side air vents and load bay rails. The Wildtrak’s interior gains dark-satin chrome elements and partial leather seats with embossed Wildtrak graphics.

High-grade derivatives will also be fitted with an easy-lift tailgate with a torsion bar that will make it easier to close the tailgate.

2. New Engines and Transmission

The updated Ranger will be offered with a new single and bi-turbo diesel engine as well as a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The current engine lineup (2.2 and 3.2-litre turbodiesel) will be complemented with the addition of a new 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel engine. In other markets, this engine offers outputs of either 96 kW/340 Nm of torque or 125 kW/420 Nm. The South African market, however, is only expected to receive the 125 kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine which will be mated witha new 10-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission will also be offered.

In terms of efficiency, Ford says that the new engine and transmission combinationresults in up to 9% improvement in fuel efficiency.

The same bi-turbo 2.0-litre turbodiesel that will power the Ranger Raptor (due in Q2 2019) will also be offered in the updated Ranger and it will offer 157 kW and 500 Nm of torque. This engine will also be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Ranger's suspension has also been revised to offer a more refined drive.

Must Read:Facelifted Ford Ranger 2.0 bi-turbo (2019) International Launch Review

3. More safety features

The new Ranger is also expected to be equipped with more safety features including Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Intelligent Speed Limiter.

The Pedestrian Detection system will detect pedestrians using a camera and radar and will apply the brakes if the driver fails to respond to the audio and visual warnings.

In the case of the Intelligent Speed Limiter, using the Speed Limiter and Traffic Sign Recognition, the Ranger’s maximum speed can be automatically adjusted to remain in the speed limits.

The updated Ranger will also offer Active Park Assist, lane-keeping alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control with forward alert, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, Electronic Stability Control and trailer sway control.

4. More connected

Equipped with FordPass Connect, the Ranger is transformed into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that can accommodate up to 10 enabled devices. By using the FordPass mobile app, users will be able to access information such as vehicle status (oil level, tyre pressure, mileage) and vehicle locator as well as being able to lock/unlock the vehicle remotely.

The updated Ranger will also be equipped with an 8-inch, SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. Ford’s MyKey system will also be offered, allowing the owner to limit the driver's speed limit and radio volume while also permanently activating the active safety features.

5. More capable

The updated Ranger will be able to wade through water at a depth of 800mm and boasts ground clearance of 230 mm. Furthermore, the Ranger has an approach angle of 29-degrees and a departure angle of 21-degrees. The Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of 3 500 kg and a payload capacity of 1 252 kg.

We will keep you updated as soon as local pricing and specification is confirmed.

Buy a new or used Ford Ranger on Cars.co.za

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