Off-road ready Ford Ranger Wildtrak X goes on sale

Ford’s new Ranger Wildtrak X is built to help owners tackle daily adventures and weekend escapes with a host of trail-ready technologies and equipment.

Based on the Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X provides the perfect step towards more extreme adventures without compromising on the luxury and safety that are hallmarks of this high-spec model.

Off-road focused exterior

The exterior of the Wildtrak X is distinguished by a number of features including a new off-road grille featuring integrated auxiliary driving lights and Cyber Orange accent, a steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps, Wildtrak X badges on the front doors and tailgate, black Ford badges, distinctive Wildtrak lettering across the bonnet and an asphalt black finish for the grille surround, bumper H-bar, wheel lip mouldings, fender vents, mirror caps, door handles and rear bumper.

High-tech interior

Inside the Wildtrak X is fitted with accented leather seats with Miko suede trim and Wildtrak X embroidered seat backs, upper glovebox and all-weather floormats. Terra suede adorns the glovebox, instrument cluster hood and door trim while the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter, doors and upper glovebox are finished with cyber orange contrast stitching.

The high-tech cabin features an eight-inch fully digital instrument cluster and portrait orientated 12-inch touchscreen that is home to Ford’s SYNC 4 A infotainment system. The technology on offer includes a ten-speaker B&O premium sound system and built-in 400W/240v inverter.

The ability to traverse any terrain

The Wildtrak X boasts a 30mm wider stance that provides an even more stable footprint off-road, while ground clearance is increased by 26mm, boosting the off-road ability.

This was achieved thanks to the fitment of newly-designed 17-inch alloys wrapped in 265/70 R 17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres complete with bold white lettering. Specially tuned Bilstein Position Sensitive Dampers provide sure-footed performance across a variety of surfaces.

The Wildtrak X features seven driving modes that cover every day and off-road driving including Normal, Eco, Tow, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl. The Wildtrak X is also equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety systems including 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.

The Wildtrak X is the first Ranger to feature Ford’s pioneering Trail Turn Assist which works in four-wheel drive off-road conditions to reduce the turning radius by up to 25 percent. This compliments Trail Control, which manages the vehicle’s acceleration and braking when traversing challenging terrain.

Trail Turn Assist helps drivers negotiate tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel and thus reducing the turning radius. The system is 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.

Under the bonnet

The Wildtrak X is fitted with Ford’s 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that produces 154kW and 500Nm and is matched to a smooth shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.

This WildtrakX is the first 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo model to be fitted with Ford’s on-demand four-wheel drive system that offers four modes including 4A (automatic), 4H for on-road driving, four-wheel drive high-range (4H) and low-range (4L) for more challenging off-road terrain.

Adventure ready

The Ranger Wildtrak X also debuts Ford’s innovative 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 in 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 adjusted by one person and doesn't require any tools to set up or stow.

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

Pricing

Positioned as a more off-road focused version of the Ranger Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X opens new opportunities for exploration and is priced at R1 013 000.