Nothing says “South African” like a Ford bakkie. We see them everywhere around the country (particularly in Pretoria but hey, who I am to judge?). The car manufacturer aims to make a statement with its new Ford Ranger FX4, a new stylish bakkie that boasts some incredible new details both inside and outside of the vehicle. For starters, it now has a load of black finishes throughout the vehicle including its 18-inch black alloy wheels, extended-leg tubular sports bar and the inside includes some gorgeously details stitched leather that wraps across the dash and the soft-touch steering wheel.
Ford Ranger FX4 Video Showcase
Before you carry on, make sure you give my video review a watch below. You’ll get to see this beast in action (and some pretty views)
Not only does the Ford Ranger FX4 include some hefty engine power thanks to its new 2.0-litre Single Turbo diesel engine which provides 132kW of power and 420Nm (Newton Meters) of torque but the car’s smart features aim to set a new standard when it comes to its new Fordpass app. Using the app, users can command the vehicle to do all sorts of things including start and stop it, unlock and lock the doors and even find where they parked the car if you somehow lose it. (We all have before let’s not lie here).
The Fordpass also grants users instant access to Ford’s Roadside Assistance should you ever break down. Users can also register their Ford Ranger FX4 with a family member’s app so they too can make use of the stop/start feature and extra safety measures that come with the app.
Ford says that they plan on bringing loads of new features to the Fordpass app for the Ranger FX4 in the future thanks to the car’s built-in eSIM and over-the-air updates. The Fordpass also works hand-in-hand with the company’s well-known SYNC 3 system and provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of the multimedia and connectivity features. This is done through the two USB ports in the car. This makes it easy to access your Spotify, Apple Music, Maps and so much more.
But the Ford Ranger FX4 is not just a pretty face. Under the hood, users can expect to find some impressive systems which drive the car’s performance. The Progressive Range Select feature gives the driver the ability to lock out gears from the automatic shifting range by simply pressing the + or – button on the gear lever. This grants users greater control over their driving conditions under certain circumstances.
Users can also make use of the pretty awesome Hill Descent Control that that uses traction control technology with anti-lock brakes to help control slippage when driving down a hill. Users just need to enable the feature, take their foot off the brake and the car does the rest.
Of course, the Ford Ranger FX4 comes with all the bells and whistles you need including traction control, Roll-over Mitigation, Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Way Control, ABS brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist. All this along with the full set of airbags which now include a dual front driver’s knee airbag and full-length curtain airbags ensure the Ford Ranger FX4 is also extremely safe.
I put all of these features to the test this past weekend with Ford South Africa as they whisked me away on a private chartered plane to the Wild Coast to drive up and down hills, through mud and water and remotely start the car and test out all the 4×4 and 4×2 capabilities the vehicle had to offer. It was superb. I was greeted by one breathtaking view…. after another breathtaking view….. after another breathtaking view.
I was incredibly impressed by it all. I want to thank Ford South Africa for the fantastic experience, The Umngazi Hotel and Spa for the great accommodation and Alex Ferguson from LibeRebil for being the best co-driver I could ask for.
The Ford Ranger Single Turbo FX4 is now available in South Africa starting at R618,900 for the 4×2 and R687,999 for the 4×4. This more expensive model includes a tailgate lift assist and of course the 4-wheel drive. It also comes with that awesome Hill Descent Assist feature.
All models come standard with Ford Protect which includes a four-yeat/120,000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. There’s also a six-year/90,000km service plan included with, 15 000km service intervals.
Again, thanks to Ford South Africa for the amazing trip. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with everything Range FX4.
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