Ranger on the rise

Ford’s nextgeneration Ranger adds more comfort and tech, but doesn’t skimp on the all-road ability that’s made it a global star

- Gareth Dean

When CAR embarked on W its journey as a member of Ford Motor Company South Africa's media group in the runup to the reveal of the new Ranger last year, things looked rather shaky. Still mired in the travel-related restrictions thrown up by the global pandemic, what promised to be an adventure encompassing meetings with subject-matter experts, trips to manufacturing facilities and a possible drive in a pre-production Ranger unit - had to be slightly downsized. Instead, there was a series of online calls that, while eminently enlightening, was never going to match up to the experience of getting behind the wheel of perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated models to come our way in recent years.

That was only until FMCSA managed to secure three seats on the Asia Pacific regional drive of the new Ranger in Thailand.

To say this was a big deal is an understatement. Three South African publications (CAR being the sole magazine represented) were able to drive the new Ranger ahead of global media outlets outside the Asia Pacific region.

The series of pandemicmandated virtual meetings had transformed into an adventure that had us piloting the new Ranger on highways and twisting mountain roads and through humid jungles to find out for ourselves just how capable it is.

And Ford has managed to build on the impressive reputation of the outgoing model.

IMPROVING ON THE PROVEN