Ford Mzansi has officially unveiled the bold and capable Ford Ranger Wildtrak X Double Cab, featuring an impressively rugged stance. Its adventurous nature led us on an unforgettable journey that took us all the way to the Namibian border.
This remarkable experience has earned my sincere admiration for this intimidating bakkie, affectionately dubbed the "Baby Raptor." There are numerous factors that contribute to this nickname.
First and foremost, the visual appeal of the Ford Wildtrak X is noteworthy. Ford has enhanced its offroad stability by widening its stance by 30mm, resulting in improved stability on rugged terrains. Additionally, the vehicle's height has been raised by 26mm, adding to its commanding presence. The masculine stance of the Wildtrak X is further emphasized by its rugged and aggressive appearance, thanks to unique design elements and striking color schemes.
The Wildtrak X maintains the acclaimed aesthetics of its Wildtrak donor, showcasing several noteworthy enhancements. These include the addition of sleek blacked-out elements, such as an offroad grille equipped with supplementary lights, an "enthusiast-rated" steel bash plate and distinctive blacked-out Wildtrak X badges adorning the front doors and tailgate. To further enhance its rugged appeal, the vehicle is equipped with stylish aluminum side steps, asphalt accents on the side mirros, and black 17-inch wheels wrapped in off-road/all-terrain tires. The wheel lip mouldings, fender vents, exterior door handles, and rear bumper, are all effectively embellished with the striking blacked-out treatment.
The Wildtrak X exudes a remarkably aggressive presence, making it an attractive choice for enthusiasts who admire the formidable appearance of the Ford Raptor. However, those discouraged by its excessive fuel consumption will find solace in this alternative. With utmost assurance, I assert that the Wildtrak X represents the finest opportunity to attain a strikingly comparable experience to that of the Raptor.
The interior design of the Wildtrak X maintains its resemblance to the standard Wildtrak, with aesthetic modifications limited solely to the addition of suede finishing on the dashboard, instrument cluster, seats, and door pads. Moreover, it features standout "Wildtrak X" lettering on the seatbacks, upper glovebox, and floor mats.
The new Wildtrak X is exclusively equipped with a powerful 154kW/500Nm 2.0 bi-turbo diesel engine. This engine delivers power to all four wheels through a standard 10-speed automatic transmission. The decision to offer only the 2.0-liter powertrain was based on the desire for a more fuel-efficient and economic option that still performs exceptionally well during off-road adventures. What makes this even more enticing is the inclusion of special Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, which enhance the vehicle's off-road capabilities.
We recently had the opportunity to test drive the "baby Raptor" throughout the Northern Cape, all the way to the border of Namibia. On tarred roads, the Wildtrak X impressed us with its surprisingly quiet ride, besides the fact that it employs large 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires. The ride quality remains comparable to the standard model. When it comes to gravel roads, the Wildtrak X offers improved comfort. However, at higher speeds of 100km/h, we did notice a slightly floaty ride, which raised some concerns. Nevertheless, with the inclusion of various safety features borrowed from the larger Raptor model, we were able to navigate more than 20 minutes of gravel driving with ease.
The updated standard technology and safety features of the vehicle now include a drive mode sourced from the Raptor model, which offers various settings for different driving conditions. Additionally, a new feature called "trail turn assist" has been added to aid in tight turns. This feature locks the inner rear wheel, allowing for a further reduction in the turning radius. We had the opportunity to test this feature ourselves and found it to be quite useful, especially when navigating through narrow spaces at low speeds.
The Wiltrak X model boasts an impressive towing capacity of 3500kg, making it ideal for hauling heavy loads. Furthermore, the vehicle offers an optional flexible rack system, consisting of a sliding load rack that can be secured in five different positions along the load bay. In addition, folding roof racks are included, which can be conveniently stored inside the roof rails when not in use. To accommodate aftermarket accessories, the vehicle comes with a prewired overhead auxiliary switch pack. This feature allows for easy installation and operation of additional accessories. The updated features of the vehicle enhance its versatility and convenience. From improved maneuverability to increased towing capacity and customizable storage options, the Wiltrak X is equipped to handle a variety of tasks and tailor to individual needs.
Price:
Ford Ranger WildTrak X 2.0 Bi-Turbo 4x4 10AT : R1 013 000
Optional features:
Power Roller Shutter: R25 200
Flexible Rack System: R19 000
Rear power windows: R500
Metalic Paint: R1 400
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.