Sourced from Thailand unlike local models which are built at Ford’s Silverton Plant near Pretoria, the facelifted Ranger will arrive Down Under with a choice of four trim levels; XL, XLS, XLT and Wildtrak, two-or-four-wheel drive and five bodystyles; single, double or super chassis cab, as well as conventional super and double cab.

At the entry level point, the XL’s upgraded equipment list includes a reworked suspension, new tailgate, colour reverse camera and rear parking sensors on non-chassis cab models, as well as new interior trim. Standard spec consists of electric windows, auto headlights, a 4.2-inch infotainment display with SYNC 1, Bluetooth and USB, cruise control, Roll Over Mitigation and Hill Descent Control on four-wheel drive models.

Upping the ante, the XLS swaps the 16-inch steel wheels for similar sized alloys and adds front parking sensors, carpeted floor mats and front fog lights. A $1 950 option on all models is the so-called SYNC 3 Pack which consists of an eight-inch touchscreen display incorporating Ford’s SYNC 3 software as well as satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and push-button start.

The most popular variant of the Ranger Down Under, the XLT has undergone the lion’s share of changes in the form of HID headlights with daytime running LEDs, ebony interior trim, bespoke front grille and bumper, 17-inch alloy wheels, the SYNC 3 system as standard, tow bar, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, tyre pressure monitor and chrome exterior inserts.

Buyers wanting more can opt for the Tech Pack that adds Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, semi-autonomous Park Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition for an additional $1 700, leather trim for $1 650 and 18-inch alloys for a further $750.

At the sharp-end, the Wildtrak builds on the XLT by not only coming with the Tech Pack and ebony trim as standard, but adding partial leather seats with the front chairs being heated, LED daytime running lights, central locking tailgate and the 18-inch alloys with the option of having them in black for $500. Carried over are Adaptive Cruise Control, Wildtrak branded sports bar, puddle lights, sliding tailgate cover, Lane Keeping Asisst, Forward Collision Warning and Auto High-Beam Assist.

The biggest change is however up front, where the long running 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre TDCI engines are joined by the same 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel powering the Ranger Raptor that produces 157kW/500Nm. Mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox co-developed with General Motors, the new mill is offered on the XLT and Wildtrak only, with the two other powertrains having the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Power outputs for these units are unchanged with the 2.2 making 118kW/385Nm and the 3.2 147kW/470Nm.

Set to arrive on Australian dealership floors in September, Ford South Africa will only announce local specification closer to the Ranger’s launch date next year.

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