Ford adds ‘X’ factor to Ranger line-up
Ford ups the aggro with off-road enhanced Ranger Wildtrak X.
Ford has added another model to its sprawling Ranger ute line-up with the off-road focused Wildtrak X, designed to bridge the gap between the high-performance Ranger Raptor and the Ranger Wildtrak.
Featuring a wider track and increased ground clearance, the Wildtrak X builds on the off-road capability of the Wildtrak with additional features including upgraded Bilstein position-sensitive dampers and two new off-road tools – trail control and trail turn assist.
Other changes include Ford’s flexible rack system, a restyled grille, Matrix LED head lamps with auxiliary LEDs, B&O premium audio system and 12.4-inch digital cluster.
Due in the second half of the year and costing $75,990 (MRLP), Ford says the Wildtrak X bridges the gap between the high-performance Ranger Raptor ($86,790) and the recreation-orientated 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel-powered Wildtrak ($67,990) and is designed for customers who want greater off-road capability without compromising the Ranger’s 3,500kg towing capacity.
The Wildtrak X’s new Bilstein position-sensitive dampers feature a monotube design and nitrogen-charged external reservoir, which provide greater suspension tuning bandwidth.
Ford says the specialised dampers allow its engineers to avoid the usual drawbacks of a 4x4 ‘lift kit’ by improving both off-road performance and on-road corning composure.
A statement from Ford said suspension was specifically tuned with touring and payload in mind, without sacrificing comfort during unladen driving, noting that the Wildtrak X retains the same 3,500kg towing capacity as the standard Ranger Wildtrak.
Chunky 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres are fitted as standard, along with new design alloy wheels, resulting in a 30mm wider track width front and rear, and combining with the suspension changes to deliver an additional 26mm of ground clearance.
New terrain-focused digital enhancements extend to the inclusion of Trail Turn Assist, which helps owners negotiate tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel, reducing the turning radius by up to 25% in certain conditions.
The Wildtrak X also features the same trail control system as the Ranger Raptor, designed to help drivers maintain a constant low-speed while off-road.
The driver selects a set speed below 32km/h and the vehicle automatically manages acceleration and braking, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering.
Rock crawl is another Raptor-inspired feature fitted to the Wildtrak X. When low-range 4WD is engaged it automatically locks the rear differential for maximum traction and actuates a unique throttle and transmission calibration, designed to help the driver traverse uneven, rocky terrain as smoothly as possible.
The Wildtrak X is also the first Ranger 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel variant to feature Ford’s full-time 4WD system instead of the part time ‘shift-on-the-fly’ 4x4 system.
The Wildtrak X also features Ford’s flexible rack system, comprising 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 rails when not in use.
Styling wise, Wildtrak X stands out from the rest of the Ranger crowd courtesy of its distinctive and exclusive Cyber Orange paint, a new off-road grille design with LED headlamps, steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps, and specific badges on the front doors and tailgate.
There’s also black Ford oval badges front and rear as well as distinctive Ranger lettering across the hood. Matrix LED head lamps with auxiliary LEDs are integrated into the front grille.
Inside, the Wildtrak X boasts leather-accented seats with suede insets and Wildtrak X embroidery, Cyber Orange contrast stitching, a B&O premium audio system, and the larger 12.4-inch digital cluster found on the Ranger Raptor and Platinum variants. Also fitted is an overhead auxiliary switch bank for aftermarket accessories.
Under the bonnet, the sole engine choice is Ford’s 2.0-Litre bi-turbo inline four-cylinder diesel, delivering a slightly lower 150kW/500Nm and mated exclusively to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Earlier iterations of this engine punched out a higher 154kW/500Nm but the Wildtrak X is the first Ranger variant to meet the Light Duty Truck EU Stage 6 emissions level, requiring a remapping of the engine calibration and the use of AdBlue fuel additive.
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