Pretoria, South Africa, 11 October 2023 - Engineered to go further off-road without compromise, Ford’s new Ranger Wildtrak X is built to help owners tackle daily adventures and weekend escapes with a host of new trail-ready technologies and equipment.

Packed with capability and designed to help customers press on where others would be forced to turn back, the Wildtrak X is the latest member of the Ranger family. Positioned as a more off-road oriented version of the Ranger Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X opens new opportunities for exploration, and is priced at R1 013 000 (incl VAT).

“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,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “With the Wildtrak X we’re giving this prized nameplate a more muscular character and even greater off-road capability, enabling our customers to push the boundaries of an active, outdoor lifestyle.”

The launch of the Ranger Wildtrak X marks the first introduction of Ford’s pioneering Trail Turn Assist, which works in four-wheel drive off-road conditions (in 4H and 4L) to reduce the turning radius by up to 25 percent. This complements the ingenious Trail Control, first seen on the new Ranger Raptor, which manages the vehicle’s acceleration and braking in challenging terrain.

“If you love extreme adventures and you love exploring off road, you’re going to love the exciting new Ranger Wildtrak X,” Mashinini says.

Expanding off-road horizons

Based on the hugely popular Ranger Wildtrak, the new Wildtrak X provides a perfect step towards more extreme adventure without compromising on the outstanding level of luxury and safety that are hallmarks of this high-spec model.

It has a 30mm wider stance to provide an even more stable footprint off-road, while ground clearance has risen by 26mm, helping owners to negotiate more challenging terrain with confidence.

To achieve this boost in both track width and ground clearance, Ford engineers fitted new-design 17-inch alloys wrapped in 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres with bold white lettering that emphasizes the vehicle’s sporty character. To ensure that the Wildtrak X has the capability to take you to far-flung destinations well off the beaten track, it is equipped with specially tuned Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers that provide sure-footed performance in all types of terrain.

“We created Ranger Wildtrak X for people who want to get more from their bakkie,” Mashinini says. “For example, one of the first things keen off-roaders do is look at replacing their tyres and suspension with aftermarket options that are more focused to off-roading. We’re ensuring they don’t need to do this by giving them what they need right out of the factory.”

The Ranger Wildtrak X also introduces Ford’s innovative new Flexible Rack System, which is available as an option. Hidden in plain sight, it consists of two main components: a sliding load rack that can be locked into five positions along the length of the load bed, and folding roof racks that store inside the roof rails when not in use. The system can be operated by one person and doesn’t require any tools to set up or stow.

As with the normal Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X is equipped with Ford’s overhead auxiliary switch pack for the seamless fitment of aftermarket accessories. The panel, which is mounted in the headliner above the rear-view mirror, is connected to a distribution box and six pre-wired circuits around the vehicle that can be used to power accessories such as external lights, a compressor, and other electrical items.

The Wildtrak X features seven driving modes that cover every day and off-road driving (Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl), and comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety systems. These include Active Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert and Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering, Lane Departure Warning and a 360-degree camera as standard.

It also features a couple of extra tools that help owners when negotiating tight turns and tricky terrain:

Trail Turn Assist: The ingenious new Trail Turn Assist helps owners negotiate tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel which reduces the turning radius by up to 25 percent. It’s designed to be used on loose surfaces at speeds under 19km/h, and can be activated when the vehicle is engaged in either 4H or 4L and the rear differential is unlocked.

Trail Control: Also seen in the new Ranger Raptor, Trail Control helps drivers maintain constant low speed while driving off-road. The driver simply selects a set speed below 32km/h and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain.

Tough exterior, bespoke interior  

Externally, the Wildtrak X gets a multitude of new design features:

·       New off-road grille with integrated auxiliary driving lights and Cyber Orange accent

·       Enthusiast-rated steel bash plate

·       Cast aluminium side steps

·       Wildtrak X badges on the front doors and tailgate

·       Black Ford oval badges front and rear

·       Distinctive black ‘WILDTRAK’ lettering across the bonnet

·       Asphalt black finish for the grille surround, bumper H-bar, wheel lip mouldings, fender vents, mirror caps, door handles and rear bumper

Inside, Wildtrak X is fitted with new accented leather seats with Miko® suede trim and Wildtrak X embroidered into the seat backs, upper glovebox and all-weather floormats. Terra suede adorns the glovebox, instrument cluster hood and door trim while Cyber Orange contrast stitching is used on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter, doors, and the upper glovebox.

The high-tech cabin is centred around the eight-inch fully digital instrument cluster and portrait-oriented 12-inch touchscreen that controls Ford’s powerful SYNC 4A infotainment system. The Wildtrak X also features wireless device charging as standard and supports wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Powerful connectivity is delivered by a FordPass Connect modem, which enables Ford Power-Up software updates to be carried out when required.

Making it ideally suited to adventurous families, the Wildtrak has a 10-speaker B&O premium sound system along with USB-A and USB-C connectivity and charging ports, and a built-in 400W/240v inverter which can be accessed from the rear of the centre console, as well as from the auxiliary power points in the load compartment.

2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel engine, 10-speed auto and 4Auto

The Wildtrak X is powered by Ford’s powerful yet efficient 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that produces 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque. It is matched to the smooth-shifting and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission.

It is the first Ranger 2.0L Bi-Turbo model to be available with Ford’s on-demand four-wheel drive system that offers four modes. It can be driven in 4A (automatic) on high-traction surfaces, with the system continuously distributing power between the front and rear axles for optimum performance in all on-road conditions. The driver can also select 2H for on-road driving, as well as four-wheel drive high-range (4H) and low-range (4L) for more challenging off-road terrain.

Pricing (includes VAT):

-        Ranger Wildtrak X 2.0L BiT 4x4 10AT                                R1 013 000

Included as standard is Ford Protect comprising a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.

Customers have the option of purchasing service or maintenance plans up to eight years or 135 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.