Blessed with a smooth-running turbodiesel V6 engine, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Double Cab progresses from A to B seamlessly, however far apart those two points may be.
Aside from the 184 kW of power and 600 Nm of torque that comes with the package, the most striking feature of the vehicle – personally – is the stunningly designed dashboard.
The digital instrument binnacle fits entirely within the flat dashboard structure with nothing sticking up like an afterthought add-on, and there are no odd bumps or other shapes to interfere with the view of the road ahead.
While this is directly related to the same layout in the Ford Everest where, because of its unashamed upmarket and luxury positioning, it is expected the same is not always true of lifestyle bakkies, even when marketed as having a ‘carlike’ interior.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.0 V6
All of this gels with Ford’s positioning of the double cab and the idea of living the ‘Ranger Life’ with the new globally exported vehicle emanating from the massive R15,8-billion investment in upgrading the Silverton plant.
Visually, the Ranger exterior shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel arches. At the back, the taillights are designed, in harmony with the signature graphics on the front.
Inside, it gets premium soft-touch materials and a prominent portrait-style centre touchscreen with Ford’s signature SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system.
In part, the exterior visuals are aided by the fact the Wildtrak sits on an upgraded chassis that is 50 mm longer and 50 mm wider than its predecessor – also resulting in a larger engine bay to help with cooling the V6 engine.
The 184 kW of power comes in at 3 250 r/min, and the 600 Nm of torque is available from 1 750 r/min, driving through a 10-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel drive system.
In the design, engineers moved the front wheels forward by 50 mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off-road articulation, improving the off-roading experience. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride on and off-road.
Wildtrak 3.0 V6 interior
This all makes a difference on the road, and gone is the usual ‘bounce’ associated with bakkies replaced by a smooth, balanced ride that. . .dare I say it.. is carlike in execution. The Ranger hugs to road firmly, unbothered by rapid directional changes – precise and accurate steering ensures it goes where you point it.
Off what is left of the tarmac, the suspension works well to iron out ripples in the road and the permanent all-wheel drive helps to maintain directional stability at speed.
It is also capable when venturing well off the road and into sandy or rocky terrain – an approach angle of 30 degrees, breakover angle of 22 degrees and departure angle of 25,6 degrees (23 with tow bar) couple to 237 mm of ground clearance and 800 mm wading depth making it a formidable ‘donga diver’.
However, so much of new car buying these days is focussed on the interior and the tech features on offer – and the Wildtrak does not disappoint.
Featuring a 12-inch touchscreen on the centre stack of the Wildtrak, it complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s SYNC 4A system, which comes customer-ready with its voice-activated communications, entertainment, and information systems.
Perhaps a quirk or minor setting I missed. But the voice recognition was not nearly as accurate as that experienced with Everest.
There is an embedded factory-fitted modem that allows connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass App for customers to stay connected to their world. FordPass offer features such as remote start, vehicle status check and health alerts, digital owner’s manual and remote lock and unlock functions via your mobile device.
Cargo space in the new Wildtrak 3.0 V6
Driving mode controls have their dedicated display on the SYNC screen. With one button press, Wildtrak owners can go to a dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.
The screen also is linked to a 310-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring
The Wildtrak comes with a full house of safety specifications including Dynamic Stability Control incorporating anti-lock braking, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control.
Also standard is Pre-Collision Assist, Post-Collision Braking, Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage, Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection, while additional features that are exclusive to the top-spec Wildtrak include Evasive Steer Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Lane Centering, as well as Active Park Assist 2.0.
Wildtrak Double Cab
The load bin – now able to accommodate a full-sized pallet – also has some neat touches including dividers to adjust the load size and to stop things from sliding around.
Ford is claiming an overall average fuel consumption of 8,4 l/100 km – my test cycle and a bit of joyful use of the right foot saw this come at 9,4 l/100 km for the test period but, still not too shabby for a lusty turbo V6 engine.
