Ford South Africa is set to broaden its Ranger line-up with the all-new Wildtrak X model. Making its debut at this year’s NAMPO Harvest Day, scheduled from 16th to 19th May in the Free State, this vehicle embodies the event’s overarching theme of “Agriculture Innovated” with its rugged and off-road capabilities.
Drawing inspiration from the immensely popular Ranger Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X takes versatility to the next level without compromising the exceptional levels of luxury and safety that define this high-spec model.
Doreen Mashinini, the General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa, acknowledges the Ranger Wildtrak’s enduring popularity in the country over the past decade. She explains, “The Ranger Wildtrak range has been immensely popular in South Africa for more than a decade due to its trend-setting style, peerless status, innovative suite of driver assistance technologies, and exceptional performance.” Mashinini further expresses delight at revealing the Wildtrak X at the NAMPO event, specifically targeting customers who embrace an active, outdoor lifestyle and push the boundaries.
The Ford Wildtrak X sets itself apart from the standard Wildtrak range with an array of driver assistance systems and bespoke accessories. Off-road enthusiasts will revel in the wider stance, increased ground clearance, and purposeful all-terrain tyres mounted on new-design 17-inch alloy wheels. Complementing these features are the specially tuned Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, ensuring unwavering performance across various terrains.
As an added innovation, the Wildtrak X becomes the first Ranger model to incorporate Ford’s Trail Turn Assist. This pioneering system applies brake pressure to the inside rear wheel, resulting in a remarkable 25 percent reduction in the turning radius. Optimized for loose surfaces at speeds under 19km/h, Trail Turn Assist can be engaged in both 4H and 4L modes when the rear differential is unlocked.
For enhanced practicality, the Ranger Wildtrak X offers the option of Ford’s new Flexible Rack System. This upgrade comprises two primary components: a sliding load rack with five lockable positions along the load bed’s length and folding roof racks that stow away neatly inside the roof rails when not in use.
Powering the Wildtrak X is Ford’s impressive yet efficient 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine, generating 154kW of power and a muscular 500Nm of torque. Paired with a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain ensures seamless shifts and engaging performance on the road.
Another notable feature is the availability of Ford’s on-demand four-wheel drive system, a first for the Ranger 2.0L Bi-Turbo model. With four selectable modes – 4A (automatic), 2H, 4H, and 4L – the Wildtrak X adapts to any driving condition or terrain.
While the full specification and pricing details for the Wildtrak X are yet to be disclosed, expect more information closer to its official launch in Q3 2023.
