The new flagship Ford Ranger Wildtrak has been revealed and can be expected in South Africa towards the end of 2015. The new Wildtrak will offer bolder and sportier styling, an improved car-like interior and will feature a number of smart technologies to improve the driving experience.

“Building on the bolder, smarter and more refined new Ranger, the Wildtrak is a perfect fit for customers who want to combine genuine 4×4 capability with stand-out styling and premium features” saysTrevor Worthington, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific.

Bold Styling for New Wildtrak

To emphasise the sporty appearance of the Wildtrak, the trapezoidal grille is finished in dark metallic grey, which is also seen on the side mirrors, door handles, side air vents, bed rails and tail lamps. The new Wildtrak rides on exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and also features rectangular fog lamps and a sports hoop, refining the overall look. The signature orange Wildtrak colour has been tweaked and is now called ‘Pride Orange’ which alludes to a pride of lions and the adventurous spirit of the Wildtrak. Additional colours include Cool White, Black Mica, Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Gray.The new Ranger Wildtrak can wade through water 800mm deep and has a ground clearance of 230mm which will help it tackle difficult terrain with ease.

On the inside, the orange theme continues, providing contrast and sporty feel. The width of the dashboard is emphasised by a horizontal beam which incorporates a dual TFT instrument cluster as well as an 8-inch touchscreen and air conditioning controls. The soft-touch instrument panel features stitching in orange and the air vents are finished in shadow chrome. The driver’s seat is 8-way power adjustable and features orange stitching and graphics.

Smart Technology

The new Ranger Wildtrak will feature the latest SYNC 2 in-car connectivity system as well as a range of driver assist technologies. These include Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Alert, front and rear Park Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, ESP and Driver Impairment Monitor. Other features include Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Load Control and Emergency Brake Assistance.

Engine Power

The new Ranger Wildtrak is powered by the proven five-cylinder 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. This engine offers 147 kW of power with a respectable 470 Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine features an updated exhaust gas re-circulation system which has improved fuel efficiency by 18%.

The electronically controlled transfer case allows the driver to alternate between 4×2 and 4×4 modes via a knob on the center console. Additional control at low speed is possible by engaging low-range 4×4 and an electronic locking rear differential improves traction when going gets tough. The new Wildtrak also has a maximum tow capacity of 3 500kg.

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.