A (Perfect) Shot In The Dark

As if Ford’s flagship Ranger didn’t look intimidating enough, the company has released a special model where all the customary chrome is painted black in all the right places.

- Charles Thompson

Every few years, bakkie manufacturers breathe new life into an existing model by releasing a slightly different version of the same product. Toyota, for example, had the Hilux Dakar and Legend 45, Isuzu the KB X-Rider, and Volkswagen the Amarok Ultimate.

These types of limited editions often have nothing more than a shiny bumper and a few stickers on the body, an upgrade for which you shell out tens of thousands of rands.

Ford recently expanded its popular Ranger range with just such a limited version – the Fx4. And it’s a very special addition.

Appearance matters

It’s not for nothing that Ford refers to it as the “black pack” to describe the changes to the Fx4. The bakkie gets 17-inch Panther alloy wheels and a pitch black Fx4 roll bar and roof racks. With its pitch black grille and bumper, the Fx4 looks seriously mean from the front, and the picture is completed with a black steel rear bumper. Even the fog lights, door handles, and side mirrors have matte black covers, and we particularly like the big black sticker that covers the largest part of the bonnet – very impressive.

The Fx4 can be ordered in white, silver, grey or black. In black – like our test model – this sturdy Ford looks almost like a big cat that’s getting ready to pounce.

Pop the hood