The addition of two new derivatives to the already extensive Ford Ranger family could be construed as overkill in an already crowded market but Ford has a distinct plan for this global model and this is the ‘Y’ of Ranger.
The two newcomers are the uber luxury Ford Ranger Platinum and the Ford Ranger Tremor aimed specifically at people with an active offroad lifestyle.
Neale Hill, president of Ford Motor Company Africa, says: “ If you imagine Ranger as a ‘Y’ shape with the base model at the bottom of the leg and the specification level increasing upwards to the XLT that stands at the junction point then we have the new Platinum at the top of the right hand arm and the Raptor at the top of the left hand arm.
“The Raptor represents the ultimate in the range in terms of performance on and offroad, while the Platinum does the same in terms of being the peak of luxury. Below the Raptor is the Wildtrak X then the Wildtrak and now the Tremor that is based off the XLT specification.”
However, more than just creating niche specification levels, Ford has taken a decision based on global data feedback to discontinue the autonomous Park Assist on its vehicles because the numbers show less than 0,5% of owners actually use the highly complex, costly and sophisticated technology.
“At the same time,” adds Hill, “we are no longer going to introduce limited edition model derivatives in order to protect the residula values of the fully-fledged model specs. Rather, any new packages will be incorporated as a long-run model – like the Tremor.”
Ford Ranger Platinum
Although it comes with all the capabilities of any of the other models in the range in terms of getting down and dirty offroad, the Platinum is really geared to a bakkie lifestyle that does not include serious mud crawling or boulder hopping.
Rather, it is a dialy commuter that never looks out of place in an exectuve parking lot and is the golf or cycling companion at the weekend.
“The new Ford Ranger led the South African double cab segment in 2023, and for good reason thanks to its exceptional all-round capabilities whether used for work or play, along with its car-like driving characteristics and outstanding safety,” says Doreen Mashinini, general manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “Ranger Platinum now takes the bakkie segment into unchartered territory by providing the exceptional levels of luxury, comfort and refinement normally associated with premium sport utility vehicles, or SUVs.
The Ranger Platinum sets itself apart with a distinctive grille design featuring an accented mesh and a silk chrome finish on the horizontal bars and surrounding frame. Adding to its exclusivity are the three-dimensional ‘PLATINUM’ emblems adorning the hood and the lower front door areas.
Elegance is key in the Ford Ranger Platinum, with silk chrome accents adorning the side steps, vents, window trims, and rear bumper. The wheel arches are highlighted with accents and encase 20-inch alloy wheels with a machined face and ebony highlights, equipped with all-season tyres.
Functionality meets style in the loadbox, which includes a fixed sports hoop and side rails as standard features. The tailgate is engineered with extra damping for smooth operation. The standard Cargo Management System ensures secure transportation of various items, and the roof rails, inherited from the Wildtrak models, add to its utility. An optional powered roller shutter is available for those seeking additional convenience.
Need to check the affordability of a pre-owned Ford Ranger - click here
The Platinum is one of the select Ford Ranger models, alongside the Raptor, to feature Ford’s Matrix LED lights, seamlessly integrated into the C-clamp headlamp structure. This advanced Matrix LED system provides a host of advantages, such as a non-glaring high beam that enhances visibility without blinding other drivers.
These lights also include a High Beam Boost function that activates additional LEDs to deliver 30% more illumination than the standard Matrix LED high beam. Furthermore, the Dynamic Bending Lights feature on the low beam dynamically adjusts the headlamps up to 15 degrees in response to the vehicle’s speed and steering angle, offering the driver a broader view of the road ahead, especially on curves.
The seats are unique to Platinum and feature premium quilted and perforated high-grade leather, along with accent stitching and ‘PLATINUM’ badges on the front seatbacks and floor mats.
The front seats offer heating and ventilated cooling functions, along with 10-way power adjustment with memory function and the instrument panel gets a soft-touch trim with accent stitching, Black Maple decorative finishes for the dashboard and door appliques, satin aluminium trim strips and the addition of an upper glovebox.
It is equipped with the 12,4-inch full-width LCD instrument cluster, which is shared exclusively with the Ranger Raptor. This widescreen display provides a clear view of all the vehicle parameters, with the graphics and theme changing according to the chosen Selectable Drive Mode.
As with the recently announced Ranger Tremor, the Platinum receives Pro Trailer Back-up Assist with Trailer Reverse Guidance, which has also been added to the Raptor and Wildtrak X as standard features, and is available as an option on the Wildtrak derivatives.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist takes the guesswork out of reversing the vehicle with a trailer, as the driver simply uses the rotary Selectable Drive Modes controller on the centre console to position the trailer where required.
Ranger Platinum also features the full range of advanced driver aids such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering, Active Park Assist with autonomous parallel and perpendicular parking, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and seven Selectable Drive Modes (Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl) and is the first Ranger model to be equipped with far side crash bags positioned between the front seats. This prevents the occupants colliding with each other in an impact.
Power comes from a 3,0-litre V6 turbo-diesel enginedelivering 184 kW of power at 3 250 r/min and 600 Nm of torque from 1 750 r/min to 2 250 r/min mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that is electronically controlled using the compact e-Shifter.
- Ranger Platinum Double Cab 3.0L V6 4WD 10AT R1 119 000
Check out our video here: https://youtu.be/iVMZjjkzcgU?si=nZBAirL2PmYGVifO
Ford Ranger Tremor
Tremor is aimed at customers who require enhanced capability and confidence in conquering challenging off-road conditions, as well as owners that typically customize their vehicle for overlanding adventures.
To find the Ford Ranger that best suits you click here
“Although the Tremor has all of the enhanced off-road capabilities shared with the Wildtrak X, it is based on the XLT series which makes it a more affordable option that is ideally suited to the most adventurous exploits and hard-working environments,” says Mashinini.
The Ranger Tremor Double Cab uses the same 154 kW/ 500 Nm 2,0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine and full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) system as the Wildtrak X and benefits from the Trail Turn Assist feature that allows the vehicle to manoeuvre around the tightest off-road turns with ease.
The Ranger Tremor stands out from the XLT series with its black honeycomb grille designed for off-road use, featuring LED auxiliary lights similar to those on the Wildtrak X. It also sports bolder grey accents on various exterior parts such as the front bumper’s lower section, H-bar, fender vents, mirror caps, door handles, and rear bumper.
It sits on 265/70 R17 all-terrain General Grabber AT3 tyres and 17-inch Asphalt Black alloy wheels with a machined finish.
Get the best insurance deal on your Ford Ranger - click here
The Ranger Tremor’s rugged look is backed by its capability, featuring a steel bash plate, underbody steel protection for critical components, two front tow hooks, cast aluminium side steps, and a distinctive tubular sports bar with extended legs.
The vehicle’s suspension has been upgraded with Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, similar to those on the Wildtrak X, enhancing ground clearance by 24 mm and widening the track by 30 mm, which improves control and stability in challenging terrains.
The Ranger Tremor’s interior features seats upholstered in black vinyl that is resistant to water, stitched together with Medium Dark Urban Grey threads. The front seats are adorned with the Tremor emblem in vibrant orange embroidery and offer six-way adjustability.
Replacing conventional carpeting, the vinyl flooring simplifies cleaning, making it ideal for post-off-road excursions.
Roof-mounted auxiliary switches are installed as standard, facilitating the integration of powered 4x4 accessories. A second battery can also be accommodated in the engine bay without any alterations, a feature shared across the new Ford Ranger lineup.
Similar to the Wildtrak X, the Tremor boasts an Off-road SYNC Screen with a 360-degree camera system, simplifying navigation in confined spaces. The standard 10,1-inch touchscreen is upgraded to a 12-inch display.
The Tremor’s loadbox is ready for any adventure, equipped with a spray-in bedliner and a 12-volt socket to protect the floor, and a Cargo Management System to secure cargo.
Trail Control is also standard on Ranger Tremor. The driver simply selects a set speed below 32 km/h when driving off-road and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain.
This is complemented by the usual gamut of driver assist and active safety features common to the Ranger line-up, such as Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (which includes Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control).
It also has Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection, Pre-Collision Assist (with Dynamic Brake Support, Forward Collision Warning System and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection), Reverse Brake Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring with Trailer Coverage, and parking sensors front and rear.
Post-Collision Braking is standard on Tremor, along with seven crash bags (dual front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), Smart Keyless Entry with Push Button Start and a Thatcham-grade alarm system and immobiliser.
Check the Ford Ranger Tremor video footage here.
- Ranger Tremor Double Cab 2.0L BiT 4WD 10AT R977 500
Colin Windell
Proudly CHANGECARS
