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Ford s SA bakkie trump card: Fresh Ranger Auto Two

Ford’s SA bakkie trump card: Fresh Ranger Auto Two.Two arrives

Mossel Bay / George – Has Ford found the reaction to overtake the Toyota’s Hilux in bakkie sales? With the arrival of its fresh Ranger Two.Two, tooled with an automatic transmission, the automaker believes it could have the edge in the fiercely-contested SA bakkie market.

The automaker is suggesting what it claims is the very first Two.Two auto single cab bakkie in its segment, expanding Ford’s Ranger line-up to a whopping thirty six derivatives, including nine fresh Two.Two auto variants.

Ford also announced it will be expanding its locally-built Everest range in November.

Ford SA claims the Ranger`s driving convenience, convenience and ease-of-use have become key selling points for the Three.Two TDCi Auto. From August 2016, customers, says Ford, can have these characteristics in its Two.Two TDCi derivatives.

Ford Ranger Two.Two diesel models are now available with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Pricing starts from R311 900. pic.twitter.com/ASZgK8bOwp

Ford says the reason they`ve brought in this model derivative is because customers were looking for a «dependable and economical workhorse combined with the convenience of the automatic transmission» in a lower-specced bakkie.

The Two.Two TDCi auto is available in three assets styles (Single Cab, Super Cab and Dual Cab) and can be ordered in one of three specification levels (XL, mid-range XLS and high-spec XLT).

With the addition of the six-speed auto, the Two.Two variants suggest sleek spectacle and lower maintenance costs for owners whether you want to overtake, transport a mighty geyser, towing or tackling off-road passes. It has an exceptional towing capacity of up to 3500kg for heavy-duty hauling.

The latest-generation Two.2-litre four-cylinder Duratorq TDCi is capable of 118kW/385Nm. Of the fresh Two.Two TDCi autos, five are two-wheel drive and four are tooled with Ford`s intelligent four-wheel drive system (with Torque on Request) that permits drivers to tackle even the most extreme conditions with confidence.

My driving fucking partner and I hopped into a high-specced Two.Two auto XLT 4X2 model at the launch in George, and in typical motoring journo style, instead of navigating and focusing on the route, were dispelled and had missed a turn-off on the route. It happened to be crucial turn, something we discovered the hard way. We only realised our mistake 30km later which translated to being 50km off the map.

The turn marked the beginning of a 100km spread along gravel, and often rocky, terrain. This also diminished our speed to 60km/h at times. We were lagging terribly behind. It meant the vehicle we were in had to travel even further and work even firmer, especially when most of the instructions had labels such as «no road signs» next to it.

Stopping for some pics of the fresh Ford Ranger Two.Two auto, while we were lost. Pic: Janine Van der Post

Since our mileage was out, it meant two motoring scribes had to perform a task journalists can fight with – mathematical calculations. Since the route was in the middle of nowhere inbetween George and Mossel Bay, we were without cellphone signal for the duration of the tour.

To further compound the matter, we had missed yet another turn while looking for the next instruction which merely said «nude right» and then «turn right». There was no «naked right» and hence we had proceeded to head 10km to higher ground before realising there was no right turn ahead, thus extending our dilemma by being even further off the hammered track.

Despite the confusion and stress on the route, the six-speed SelectShift automatic gearbox of the Two.Two Ranger delivered seamless torque to wheels despite the difficult terrain. Once we hit the tar road and had long opens up ahead of us, the vehicle made up time at a constant tempo and could overtake without much effort when needed.

We were heading to Vleesbaai sand dunes just outside Mossel Bay to test the Two.Two auto`s capabilities on the soft sand. For the dune section we switched to a 4×4 version. Not a single vehicle became bogged down in the sand and overall the Ranger treats steep inclines/declines with ease.

A photo posted by Janine Van der Post (@janine_vdp) on Aug 26, two thousand sixteen at Five:40am PDT

The reason for its off-road prowess? Ford says this is due to the 4×4 drivetrain using an electronically managed transfer case with shift-on-the-fly functionality managed via a dial on the centre console. This permits 4×2 and 4×4 high-range modes to be engaged while on the stir.

With 4L engaged, it gives low-range gearing, for exceptional torque and control for requesting off-road terrain such as the Vleesbaai dunes. A rear differential lock is also provided, ensuring extra traction.

The electronic stability program, standard on all but the entry-level versions, supplies a high level of active driving safety. The Ranger incorporates traction control, hill-launch assist, trailer sway control, adaptive flow control, roll-over mitigation, as well as hill-descent control on the 4×4 models.

Another interesting fact is that the Ranger has 800mm water wading depth and 230mm of ground clearance, while all its vital components such as the alternator and electronic parts are placed higher in safer locations, and all connectors are sealed watertight.

Ford`s electrical power-assisted steering (EPAS) improves all-round capability, with varying levels of assistance based on speed, steering wheel angle, cornering coerces and acceleration. By eliminating the traditional engine-driven power steering pump, EPAS also results in a quieter vehicle and improves fuel efficiency by about 3%, claims the automaker.

A photo posted by Janine Van der Post (@janine_vdp) on Aug 25, two thousand sixteen at 6:22am PDT

*Please note the Wildtrak Ranger pictured above was present at the launch, and is only available in 4×2 and 4×4 Three.Two TDCi Dual Cab derivatives as part of the Ranger line-up.

There are three Super Cab variants: 4×2 XL, along with XLS models in either 4×2 or 4×4 guises. The Super Cab is particularly popular with farmers, contractors as well as lifestyle-oriented buyers, says Ford, who are looking for the convenience extra space behind the front seats, as well as the convenience of the rear-opening doors.

The hallmark Dual Cab Two.Two TDCi XL Dual Cab Auto, is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 variants. The XLS 4×4 takes the features list up several notches, with the luxuriously appointed XLT Dual Cab 4×2 rounding off the fresh Ranger Two.Two TDCi Auto line-up.

Tracey Delate, general marketing manager, Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region said: «The introduction of the advanced six-speed automatic transmission on the Two.Two Duratorq TDCi models will undoubtedly build on the Ranger`s legacy, broadening its appeal to an even broader audience.»

Two.Two TDCi XLS Single Cab 4×4 Auto – R426 900

Two.Two TDCi XL Super Cab 4×2 Auto – R357 900

Two.Two TDCi XLS Super Cab 4×2 Auto – R411 900

Two.Two TDCi XLS Super Cab 4×4 Auto – R472 900

Two.Two TDCi XL Dual Cab 4×2 Auto – R384 900

Two.Two TDCi XL Dual Cab 4×4 Auto – R426 900

Two.Two TDCi XLS Dual Cab 4×4 Auto – R517 900

Two.Two TDCi XLT Dual Cab 4×2 Auto – R482 900

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