Colin-on-Cars

 A storm worth tracking

The South African Ford Ranger evolutionary process continues with another limited edition in the form of the Stormtrak that will formally be released during the third quarter. 

“The Ranger Thunder was exceptionally well received when we launched it a year ago, proving there is strong demand for range-topping models that offer something different from the norm,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. 

“The new Ranger Stormtrak follows the same recipe as the limited-edition Thunder, by elevating the style, sophistication and exclusivity of our most luxuriously appointed model in the Ranger line-up.”

In Stormtrak guise, the Ranger gains design elements, including a black mesh grille with red inserts, a black insert in the lower section of the front bumper, black decals for the bonnet and doors, black roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black. 

There are three-dimensional Stormtrak logos on the lower sections of the front doors, as well as on the rear tailgate. The upcoming introduction of the Ranger Stormtrak also sees the addition of a new paint colour, Lucid Red. It can also be specified in Sea Grey, Frozen White and Blue Lightning.

 

Everyday practicality has been elevated too thanks to the standard fitment of Ford’s new Power Roller Shutter for the rear load compartment. This ensures goods can be safely secured in the load bed with ease, complemented by the tailgate locking mechanism being integrated into the vehicle’s central locking system. 

Adding further versatility is the adjustable bed divider kit that makes it easy for the owner to compartmentalise the cargo area according to the size of the items being carried – thus preventing goods from shifting around when driving. A drop-in bed liner provides a useful 12-volt socket for powering accessories such as a camping fridge.

 The interior has had the magic wand treatment as well with illuminated front scuff plates, premium leather seats that incorporate red stitching, as well as the Stormtrak logo on the front seat backrests. Red stitching is used throughout the leather-trimmed cabin, including on the soft-touch dashboard upper, steering wheel and gear lever. 

Standard features include the SYNC3 infotainment system with embedded navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as FordPass functionality that allows the owner to remotely access numerous vehicle features from their phone – such as remote and scheduled starts to either cool or heat the cabin. 

Safety systems and driver aids include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Collision Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert System, and Semi-Automatic Parallel Park Assist. 

The Ranger Stormtrak is powered by Ford’s 2,0-litre Bi-Turbo engine, which produces 157 kW and 500 Nm. It is paired with an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission  and the Ranger’s towing capacity of 3 500 kg remains unchanged, along with the 800 mm water wading depth and 230 mm ground clearance. 

Pricing for the Ranger Stormtrak will be announced closer to launch in late Q3.