New Ford bakkie coming to South Africa in 2023 – What to expect

Next in line for Ford’s next-generation Ranger line-up in South Africa is the introduction of the new Wildtrak X, which the company confirmed is landing in the third quarter of 2023.

The X breaches the gap between the Wildtrak and the high-performance Raptor, giving owners the best of the former with a taste of the latter.

The newcomer boasts bespoke underpinnings, a wider footprint, distinctive visual enhancements, as well as model-exclusive accessories for a “truly unique” entry in the Ranger family.

What to expect

Ford has built the Wildtrak X specifically with a focus on off-road agility, providing a 30mm-wider track at 1,650mm combined with specially-tuned Bilstein position-sensitive dampers that raise ground clearance by 26mm to 263mm, which together results in additional “sure-footedness on rugged terrain,” said the automaker.

Complementing the wider stance is an upgraded heavy-duty power steering system, a standard front underbody steel protection plate which is usually an optional extra, as well as a set of new-design 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, as opposed to the 18-inch wheels with all-season rubbers of the standard Wildtrak.

Additionally, the Wildtrak X is the first Ranger to be equipped with Ford’s innovative Trail Turn Assist feature.

The system applies “brake-based torque vectoring” – i.e. brake pressure –  to the inside rear wheel when traversing tricky terrains at speeds of under 19km/h which consequently reduces the turning radius by up to 25%, from 12.9 metres to 9.7 metres.

Lending the X some visual flair are orange highlights around the exterior, “chunky” Wildtrak X badging which extends to the bonnet, two-tone wheels, blackened Ford ovals, and a model-exclusive Asphalt Black grille surround and H-bar, wheel arch trims, and rear bumper.

It can also be optioned with Ford’s new Flexible Rack System which consists of two main components namely a sliding load rack that can be locked into five positions along the length of the load bed, and folding roof racks that store inside the roof rails when not in use.

Together, these allow long items to be carried above the roof rather than being wedged between the tailgate and cab which improves load security and frees up the bed for other items that may also need to be transported.

Continuing inside, buyers of the upgraded Wildtrak are in for a plush ride courtesy of unique Miko suede-trimmed seats with Wildtrak X embroidery, matched with soft-touch Terra suede and contrast Cyber Orange stitching on the upper dashboard, door trims, and centre console.

As it is based on the current flagship of the Ranger line-up, the X will likely offer all the amenities of the normal Wildtrak, too.

As such, potential owners can expect niceties along the line of a 12-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch instrument cluster, electric front seats, a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage.

FordPass Connect services are also supported, offering remote start and lock/unlock, a vehicle locator, vehicle health alerts, oil life status, and “enhanced customer connectivity settings” from a smartphone app.

Under the bonnet, the Wildtrak X was the recipient of the brand’s tried-and-tested 2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel engine that produces 154kW and 500Nm, working in partnership with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

This particular trim is the first 2.0-litre Ranger to be equipped with the on-demand four-wheel-drive system that is usually only reserved for the 3.0-litre, V6 models.

What sets this system apart from the standard 4×4 programme is a 4A mode that automatically distributes power between the front and rear axles as you drive, something the more traditional layout can’t do.

Naturally, the bakkie also provides 2H, 4H, and 4L settings, which are paired with a rear-mounted locking differential to strengthen its off-roading abilities.

Like the rest of the Rangers, the X provides a maximum water-wading depth of 800mm, but the additional ground clearance must have had a positive impact on its approach, break-over, and departure angles – which on the standard variant measures 30 degrees, 22 degrees, and 25.6 degrees, respectively.

A maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg and a carrying capacity of around 940kg are also on the cards.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak X