While the all-new next-generation Ford Ranger just debuted for the North American market this month, the mid-size pickup has been on sale in other parts of the world for some time now. That includes South Africa, where the next-gen Ranger is built at the Silverton Assembly plant. Back in March, The Blue Oval revealed the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X – which sits in the lineup in between the off-road-focused Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor – and just a few days later, confirmed that the new variant will be sold in Europe. Now, the automaker just announced that the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is heading to South Africa at this year’s NAMPO Harvest Day.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X looks a bit different than its brethren courtesy of a unique front grille with integrated driving lights and Cyber Orange accents, Wildtrak X badging and lettering on the hood, black front and rear Blue Oval badges, cast aluminum side steps, a steel bash plate, and an Asphalt Black grille surround, bumper H-bar, wheel-lip moldings, fender vents, mirror caps, door handles, and rear bumper. Out back, Ford’s new Flexible Rack System is available as an option and features a sliding load rack and folding roof racks to carry additional cargo.
Inside the cabin, the Wildtrak X sports unique features such as leather seats with Miko suede trim and Wildtrak X embroidery, with Terra suede present on the glovebox, instrument cluster, and door trim. Finally, Cyber Orange contrast stitching is present on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter, doors, and the upper glovebox, while the auxiliary switch pack is included as standard equipment.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X features a 30mm wider track than the standard mid-size pickup, as well as 26mm more ground clearance, which helps make room for a set of unique 17-inch wheels wrapped in 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires. Underneath, the Wildtrak X has been fitted with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, while seven drive modes – Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl – are available, along with Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control. Power comes from the twin-turbo Ford 2.0L diesel engine, which produces 154kW (206 horsepower) and 500Nm (369 pound-feet) of torque, mated to the automaker’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
“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,” said Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “NAMPO and Ford South Africa have a long and proud history and we’re thrilled to be revealing the Wildtrak X at this year’s event to whet the appetite of those customers who push the boundaries of an active, outdoor lifestyle.”
We’ll have more on the next-generation Ford Ranger soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Ranger news and continuous Ford news coverage.
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When is Ford going to wise up and offer a turbo diesel in the Ranger and/or the Maverick in the US??????? Its frustrating that they do overseas but not at home!!!