Colin-on-Cars - Real smart Ranger

Tech is new definer of automobiles for car buyers with power, torque and performance having largely given way to the kit inside the cabin and Ford is following this trend by making the next-gen Ranger the smartest Ranger yet.

From the new-generation SYNCi 4A infotainment system to large-format screens that behave more like smartphones and digital instrument displays replacing analog clusters, next-gen Ranger pushes the boundaries of what a smart truck should be with its customer-focused technology.

“Customers had an overwhelming response to the next-gen Ranger’s new interior design and the technologies our teams had integrated on the inside,” says Graham Pearson, Ranger vehicle program director. “Once again, Ranger will re-define the segment with a premium interior that clearly shows people don’t have to sacrifice interior comfort or technologies just because they desire a truck.”

Panel

Inside is an 8-inch colour, reconfigurable, digital instrument panel that allows more information to be presented to the driver than an analog system. Additionally, the large-format, 10,1 or 12-inch infotainment screens, featuring Ford’s SYNC 4A communication and entertainment system, have helped declutter the dashboard.

Ranger’s electric parking brake and first-in class e-shifter bring a more tech feel to the interior and allow greater accessibility and space to drivers.

It also takes lighting to the next level with full LED lighting for both front and rear, as well as zone lighting.

The FordPass app enables owners to use their smartphone to organise things such as service scheduling, remote start, vehicle location, vehicle health alerts, remote locking or unlocking, and activating the heating or cooling to the previously set temperature.

Cluster

The new Ranger has done away with a physical instrument cluster for things such as the speedometer, replacing them with an 8-inch digital instrument panel that can be customised. These displays boast a start-up and farewell animation and a digital speedometer and tachometer. The graphics also feature realistic body-style avatars.

Depending on the variant, owners can toggle between layouts showing information such as driver-assist technologies, tachometer on or off, and extra gauges. There’s also a ‘calm view’, which removes information on demand from the display.

Because it features on and off-road driving modes, the instrument panel displays a different theme for each selected drive mode, with animated mode changes when the driver scrolls from one to the other.

SYNC4A offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and displays the latest features used to make the SYNC4A system easier to navigate. If the customer has cellular coverage, SYNC4A can provide real-time information – traffic alerts and more.  

Modem

The Ranger will be fitted with an embedded factory-fitted modem allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass App, so customers can stay connected to their bakkie. Ranger also is designed to evolve over time. In the future, customers will be able to secure Ford Power-Up updates, which offer enhancements from updating the SYNC 4A software, to upgrades that improve the vehicle’s quality, capability and convenience without the need to schedule a service.

With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated off-road screen where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, roll angles and other controls. The cabin climate and entertainment can be controlled via the SYNC screen, with additional physical controls mounted just below the screen for quick and easy adjustments.

Breeze

The screen is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring. The system allows the driver to see what’s in front of or behind the vehicle as well as a top-down view of the area around the vehicle, including blind spots, for added confidence.

Another feature for Ranger is the new exterior zone lighting system, which can be controlled via the SYNC4Ascreen or the FordPass app on smartphones. This zone lighting consists of headlights, puddle lamps, number plate lights and cargo box lights. These lights can be controlled as a ‘zone’ or altogether, which means owners don’t have to work, camp, or do anything in the dark.

Enhanced

“We’ve not only made the next-gen Ranger smarter, but we’ve enhanced the user experience. Whether it’s being able to control certain vehicle features from your smartphone via the FordPass app, or the inclusion of new-generation infotainment, we’ve improved the interface between driver and vehicle,” says Chris Clarke, connectivity applications supervisor.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbReHKFiDxo

https://bit.ly/35MI3R0

Colin-on-Cars - New Ford Ranger revealed

The new Ford Ranger to be built at the company’s factory in Silverton, Pretoria from next year has finally had the wraps removed.

“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO. “This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver.

"Not just a product our customers will love, but an always-on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the midsize truck people will want to own and experience.”

Next-gen

The next-gen Ranger project was led by Ford’s Product Development Center in Australia. Its international team of dedicated designers and engineers worked with teams around the globe to not only incorporate the very latest in Ford technology, capability and safety, but to also engineer and test the Ranger to Ford’s toughest standards.

Visually, the next-generation Ranger gets an exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel-arches. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights.

At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the graphics on the front.

Inside

Inside, the cabin steps up, using premium soft-touch materials, and a prominent portrait-style centre touchscreen with Ford’s SYNCi 4 connectivity and entertainment system.

The reveal models – the XLT, Sport and Wildtrak – sit on an upgraded chassis riding on a wheelbase 50mm longer and a track 50 mm wider than the prior Ranger.

Customers wanted a choice of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off-roading, so the team added Ford’s 3,0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and developed it for the Ranger. It is one of three turbo-diesel engine options available at launch, depending on the market.

In addition, it will be available with a 2,3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder.

Transmission

New transmission choices include an updated 10-speed auto or six-speed manual, complementing the current six-speed automatic.

Engineers moved the front wheels forward by 50 mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off-road articulation, both of which improve the off-roading experience. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride both on- and off-road, no matter if they’re carrying heavy cargo for work, or just taking the family out for dinner.

The heart of the Ranger’s connective experience is the large 10,1-inch or 12-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s latest SYNC4 system, which comes customer-ready with its voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems.

Many of the traditional driving mode controls have been moved from the dash and centre console to their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen. With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.

The screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring.

Specific details on the local variants will be confirmed closer to launch next year.

https://bit.ly/3oVCwh7

Big moves at Ford ahead of new Ranger 

Ford South Africa is in literal overdrive mode, having sneaked a few images of the upcoming next generation Ford Ranger that will be manufactured at its Silverton, Pretoria plant at the same as announcing it has produced its 500 000^th Ranger for export, which is a fitting achievement since it is also the current model’s 10^th anniversary this year. 

The #NextGenRanger will be revealed later this year and launch in 2022 and, according to Ford, embraces superior off-road credentials and Ford’s dynamic driving DNA, to be the toughest, most capable and connected Ranger pickup yet developed by Ford. 

Ramping up for production has also meant the creation of 1 200 incremental jobs by adding a third shift as part of the R14-billion investment in its Silverton Assembly Plant.

 

View the official glimpse video here - https://youtu.be/x8i2VevQaA0

Exports of locally assembled Ford Rangers initially commenced in 2000 for the previous-generation model, but it was the 2009 announcement of a R3,4-billion investment in Ford’s local operations that transformed the Silverton Assembly Plant to build the current and, at the time, most advanced Ranger yet. 

The export-driven investment programme also encompassed the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), which commenced production of the 3,2-litre and 2,2-litre Duratorq TDCi engines and components for domestic assembly and for exports to other Ford plants around the world. 

The then all-new Ranger was launched in South Africa in October 2011, and has gone on to become one of the country’s best-selling vehicles, the leading light commercial vehicle (LCV) export, and an important contributor to the success and growth of the domestic automotive industry and the economy as a whole. 

“The launch of the new Ford Ranger in 2011 was a watershed moment for Ford South Africa, for the domestic market and the broader pickup segment internationally,” says Neale Hill, MD of Ford South Africa. “It immediately set entirely new benchmarks in the pickup sector for performance, technology, safety, comfort, refinement and capability.”

 

At launch in 2011, the installed capacity for local Ranger production was 110 000 vehicles a year, but ongoing investment in Ford’s local operations ramped up production capacity to 168 000 units by 2018. 

A total of R11-billion was invested in Ford’s South African manufacturing plants over this period to facilitate the volume growth, as well as to introduce new technologies such as the impressive new 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo and Single Turbo engines assembled at the Struandale Engine Plant. These engines were launched in 2019 as part of a comprehensive Ranger upgrade which included the sophisticated new 10-speed automatic transmission. 

“Achieving 500 000 exports for Ranger is a fantastic milestone for the South African team,” says Ockert Berry, VP Operations at Ford South Africa. “The investment and subsequent launch of the current Ranger in 2011 transformed our manufacturing operations, and put South Africa firmly on the map as a high-volume single platform manufacturer for Ranger, both for the domestic market and, crucially, for exports to more than 100 global markets, including Europe where Ranger is now the top-selling pickup. 

“Although the milestone 500 000 exports extends from 2000 to 2021, the start of the new Ranger export programme in 2011 took our manufacturing operations to new heights,” Berry says. “We went from a total export volume of around 16 500 units of the previous Ranger between 2000 and 2011 to just shy of half a million units of the current model between 2011 and 2021. We are exceptionally proud of the legacy that has been built for Ford in South Africa, and our ongoing commitment to the country.”

 

The local workforce has increased from the current 4 200 Ford South Africa employees to approximately 5 000, along with an additional 440 jobs at the plant’s on-site service provider. This takes the total Ford employees at the Silverton facility more than 4 100, with 850 people employed at Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant. 

The reintroduction of the third shift will support expanded production of the current Ranger pickup to meet strong local and international demand. It will also enable an increased production capacity for the next-generation Ranger, starting in 2022. 

This is the first use of a three-shift production schedule since it was implemented as a temporary measure during the second half of 2019 to fulfil higher production volumes required for the current Ranger – and will see the Silverton Assembly Plant operating around the clock, five days a week. 

“Crucially for our communities, the higher production volumes mean more jobs, and we are delighted to add the 1 200 jobs that now fill the third shift from the beginning of September,” Berry says. “We first ran three shifts and 24-hour production for a limited period in 2019 to meet higher volume targets, and we are delighted to reinstate this extra shift as a permanent fixture as we ramp up our production. 

With the additional shift, the Silverton Assembly Plant will be capable of producing up to 720 vehicles per day, or 240 units a shift – which equates to one new Ranger coming off the line every two minutes.

Additionally, Ford is currently constructing an all-new Body Shop and Stamping Plant on the Silverton site, along with a new in-house Frame Line in the adjacent Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ).

 

“The biggest change has been a total redesign of the plant layout,” says Plant Manager Tim Day. “The progressive evolution of the plant saw it growing organically over the years, which resulted in a less-than-ideal layout. Accordingly, we’ve completely reworked the assembly line to maximise efficiency through the vehicle assembly and validation processes. 

“We’ve removed roughly a kilometre and 20 transactions out of the previous assembly line flow by eliminating the back-and-forth movement of vehicles within the plant during the various stages of production,” he adds. “This will result in all of the manufacturing processes and quality checks being performed in the zone where it’s manufactured, contributing towards greater efficiency and more effective quality control before the vehicle moves to the next station. 

“We did away with the previous vehicle carriers and replicated the skillet system which is used at Ford’s leading plants around the world, including the Ranger plant in Thailand and the F-150 plant in the US,” Day explains. 

“The skillet system is far less bulky and restrictive, and eliminates the various platforms and levels that people had to work around previously.” 

Click here to view the video on the Silverton upgrades: https://youtu.be/0YOcXu5z0P0

 Supporting leopard and toad conservation

The most graceful of all the wild cat family, the leopard, is being helped by the Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) that is lending a supportive hand to the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). 

The two Ford Rangers, which are provided to the Trusts for two years, enable the conservation teams to confidently complete their work which often involves travelling long distances and accessing remote areas.  

 

The CLT and EWT teams consist of passionate and enthusiastic members that have dedicated themselves to protecting threatened and endangered animal species. They have joined forces in a unique project that sees them working together to ensure the continued survival of the cape leopards and western leopard toads. By working together, the two organisations hope to improve awareness of two species that are important indicators of ecosystem health. 

“We really appreciate the support from the Ford Wildlife Foundation,” says Dr Kathryn Williams, Research and Conservation Director, Cape Leopard Trust. “The Ford Ranger allows us to improve our knowledge on the ecology, presence, and threats to both species in the Cape’s Overberg region.”

 

The project, affectionately named a Tale of Two Leopards, aims to investigate the presence of both the leopard and the leopard toad - an endangered amphibian named for its striking resemblance to a leopard - in order to ensure their survival, secure their habitat and prey base, and promote their coexistence with people. 

In addition to the Tale of Two Leopards projects, the Cape Leopard Trust is currently undertaking its largest ever camera survey, the first comprehensive such study of the Overberg. The camera survey seeks to improve knowledge of leopards in the Western Cape through a dedicated online app or data portal, which allows landowners, conservation NGO’s and local communities to become citizen scientists by reporting leopard sightings. 

Local community members can submit verifiable records of data, such as camera-trap photos, digital images of leopard signs such as droppings, scratch marks on trees or feeding sites and direct leopard observations to app.capeleopard.org.za. All submissions are kept anonymous.

 

“Broad-scale research is essential to conserve species that occupy large home ranges such as the leopard. It is extremely challenging for scientists to collect large quantities of data at this scale, but conservation stewards can help. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of this elusive cat and contribute your data to help us conserve leopards in the Western Cape,” says Dr Williams. 

For more than 30 years, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has actively been involved in the conservation of wildlife and ecosystems in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF), which was established in 2014, continues FMCSA’s long-standing support of conservation projects in Southern Africa through the provision of  4x4 Ranger Double Cabs to partner organisations. During the two-year loan period, the vehicles are monitored and serviced by Ford's extensive dealer network to ensure optimum performance and efficiency. 

For more information on the Ford Wildlife Foundation, visit the website: https://www.ford.co.za/about-ford/wildlife-foundation/

 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.

 Snakes Alive!

Arguably the most misunderstood reptiles on earth are snakes and, while sometimes dangerous to humans, their first reaction is to get out of the way – not attack. 

Tomorrow (July 16) is World Snake Day and the Ford Wildlife Foundation is heavily involved in research and conservation projects dealing with snakes, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal where FWF ambassador, Gabriel Sithole, drives his Ranger to far-flung areas that are sometimes only accessible by 4x4. 

Besides being a passionate wildlife photographer, Sithole is helping to change the perception around snakes by educating communities. 

“Snakes are misunderstood reptiles,” he says. “When people see a snake, they immediately think it is going to bite them, but this is completely untrue. Snakes are in fact extremely wary of humans and are not prone to strike if unprovoked. A bite is generally their last-ditch effort to protect themselves. Snakes are also great at controlling undesired populations of mice and rats which can become a health risk.”

                                                            Black Mamba

“The number of snake encounters has shot up because we are encroaching on these reptiles’ natural habitat, a trend confirmed by BioWeb. Settlements at city outskirts often don’t have proper waste removal services and this is a contributing factor in attracting mice and the rats.” 

Sithole has some advice to mitigate one’s chance of coming into contact with snakes, and what to do if you get bitten by a snake. 

“Besides removing waste, rubbish and keeping your garden clean, make sure to watch where you walk and look carefully before taking each step. Many of the narrow paths in grassland areas are where rats and mice run up and down and this also attracts snakes, typically ambushers like puff adders.

                                                              Forest Cobra

“Get familiar with a snake handler in your area – save their number on your phone – and do not try and handle any snake by yourself. It’s also a good idea to know the types of venomous snakes that live in your area. This will help you identify them and give the hospital the right information to prepare an anti-venom should you be in the unfortunate situation of being bitten. And lastly, keep calm at all times.” 

Lynda du Plessis, manager of the Ford Wildlife Foundation, adds: “The Ranger thrives in the rugged conditions in which FWF ambassadors like Gabriel work. This often entails long distances, heavy loads and rough terrain.

“The Ranger is, therefore, a crucial enabler for the wildlife and conservation staff at the more than 25 projects we support. Having a capable vehicle such as the Ranger helps them access often remote and difficult-to-reach areas of the country to do their important environmental work. Gabriel leads by example and we are grateful for his passion and commitment in removing the irrational fear around these misunderstood reptiles.”