Ford South Africa has added a range of single cab and Super Cab – including a Wildtrak – to complete the new Ranger spread with a choice of 2,0-litre single turbo-diesel or twin-turbo variants in 4x2 or 4x4 guise.
“It was a dark and stormy night.”
However, unlike the never completed novel written by Snoopy from the Charles Schulz comic strip ‘Peanuts’, this story did have a welcome end as a convoy of Ford Ranger single and Super Cab models tamed the Katberg Pass in the Eastern Cape – one I doubt had been used by any vehicle in many, many years.
But first, a little background. For the launch of these models, Ford combined with a couple of its social partners and loaded the launch vehicles with JoJo tanks, piping, rolls of wire, trees and bags of compost for delivery to two projects in the Eastern Cape.
The first part of the journey was a relatively easy run to Gariep Dam for an overnight stop with my driving partner Alan R from Motor Matters, who was aboard the base model single cab six-speed manual – and impressed on that trip with the comfort of the cabin and the seats.
The centre layout boasts a large portrait-style touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC 4A connectivity (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and entertainment system. It measures 10,1 inches in the XL and XLT models or 12 inches on the Wildtrak.
Soft-touch surfaces are incorporated into the armrest and the top of the door panels, improving driving comfort, while the Super Cab models offer additional secure storage space behind the rear seats, which are accessible via the rear-hinged doors.
Perhaps more significantly, the designers made the new vehicle 50 mm longer and 50 mm wider to position the suspension outboard of the chassis.
This means the shock absorbers are in an upright position and able to maximise the damping over rough roads while keeping the wheels firmly in contact with the surface.
The additional width also allows the cargo box to accommodate a standard European pallet between the wheel arches (up to 1 224 mm) meanwhile the load box length runs up to 2 305 mm on the Single Cab models for maximum loading volume. The payload capacity ranges from 964 kg to 1 186 kg, depending on the model.
Practical touches on all models include integrated clamp pockets, a ruler and cupholders in the tailgate that transform it into a functional workbench.
On the Wildtrak Super Cab, the fitment of a standard 400 W inverter, with 12V and 240 V power to the cabin and the load box, opens up further possibilities for operating various equipment in any location. A 12 V socket is standard in the load bed of the XLT range.
The following morning we changed to a 2,0-litre BiTurbo XLT 4x4 with all the additional luxury features – and became rather glad we did as the day wore on.
Heading off on dirt roads into the Katberg mountains, our designated stop was to deliver to the Gift of the Givers some water tanks, piping and fittings for a borehole project in a remote village. The day began a bit grey and overcast, with full-blown rain falling when we reached the place.
All is good up to that point! The route from there to our overnight at the Katberg Hotel would be a three-hour trip, but only 43 kilometres via the Katberg Pass - the village chief said could be handled by the bakkies.
Inspired by his confidence, we set off into the ‘unknown’, slip-sliding through the growing stretches of mud as the rain continued to fall. The Katberg Pass was a one-way trip for the convoy of 15 vehicles by the time we reached, as there was no place to turn around.
Negotiating rough rocky sections, very narrow squeezes through the encroaching vegetation and now into total darkness, we inched our way down, occasionally having to tow fallen trees out of the path until, finally, six hours later we made it.
The pass deserves to be renamed Ranger Heights or something similar – the impressive part being the fact the single cabs handled the route with no problems. All single cabs have a rear diff lock as a standard feature and this made all the difference.
At R464 200, the single cab 2,0-litre single turbo-diesel comes with a six-speed manual transmission and offers 125 kW and 405 Nm of torque.
That engine is common to all XL Single Cab models and three XL Super Cab derivatives and offers the choice of the latest-spec six-speed automatic in 4x2 format or electronic shift on the fly 4x4.
A higher-spec XLT Super Cab 4x2 derivative is also offered with the same engine, paired with the six-speed auto.
Moving up, the 2,0-litre Bi-Turbo engine is exclusively available on the Super Cab 4x4 models in a choice of XLT and Wildtrak trim levels. This engine delivers 154 kW and 500 Nm of torque and is mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
“The bulk of the range is available in XL or more upmarket XLT specification, and we also offer the extensive range of Upgrade Packs that were introduced on the Ranger Double Cab. This allows owners to personalise their vehicle with a wide range of cosmetic and functional enhancements according to their unique requirements and applications,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa.
For business users, the Ranger single cabs and Super Cabs qualify for VAT refunds.
All models are equipped as standard with Dynamic Stability Control incorporating anti-lock braking, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist and Trailer Sway Control.
The 4x4 models also gain Hill Descent Control, with cruise control standard on XLT models and optional on XL.
Passive safety is provided by dual front, side and curtain crash bags on all Single Cab and Super Cab models.
On the XL models, remote central locking is standard, while the higher-spec XLT and Wildtrak gain smart keyless entry with push-button start.
Ford also allows owners to access their vehicles with a wide range of factory-backed items. With a growing list of over 200 adventure, urban and commercial accessories, customers can personalise their Rangers to suit their lifestyles and specific requirements.
Pricing (all prices include VAT)
Single Cab
2.0L SiT XL 4x2 6MT R464 200
2.0L SiT XL 4x2 6AT R477 800
2.0L SiT XL 4x4 6MT R531 300
2.0L SiT XL 4x4 6AT R545 000
Super Cab
2.0L SiT XL 4x2 6MT R485 400
2.0L SiT XL 4x2 6AT R499 900
2.0L SiT XL 4x4 6AT R542 900
2.0L SiT XLT 4x2 6AT R547 100
2.0L BiT XLT 4x4 10AT R688 900
2.0L BiT Wildtrak 4x4 10AT R772 800
Included in the purchase price is a four-year/120 000 km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and a five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000 km or annually, whichever occurs first.
