A host of enhancements gives this lifestyle bakkie a hard-core edge.
It’s the Wildtrak as we know it, but with more of everything
Few vehicles appeal to leisure bakkie buyers as much as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. It has a near-perfect blend of premium features, on-road image, and great towing ability, while being bested in its family only by the wild Ranger Raptor when it comes to off-road prowess.
To slot into the gap between the Ranger Wildtrak and Raptor, Ford has now introduced an intermediate model, based on the Wildtrak but equipped with nifty new off-roading technology, some suspension tricks, a more-advanced AWD system, and appropriate styling enhancements.
Ranger Wildtrak X mechanical changes
Featuring Ford’s twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine as used in the normal Wildtrak 2.0 BiTurbo, the “X” trim retains the standard model’s 154 kW and 500 Nm, and it also uses the same ten-speed automatic gearbox. The key mechanical difference lies in the AWD system, because the new X is the first four-cylinder Ranger to feature a full time/on-demand AWD system.
This AWD system adds an electronically-controlled full-time AWD option to the established 2H, 4H, and 4L selections. This makes the new system capable of using AWD even on high-grip surfaces such as uneven or potholed tarmac for added driving stability, because the electronic control system is programmed to send torque to the axle with the most traction when this mode is selected.
Alternatively, RWD-only mode (2H) could also be selected to try and save fuel, while high- and low range (4H and 4L) transfer case operation with a fixed 50/50 front-rear torque split can be selected for really tough off-road driving.
Other bundu-bashing hardware enhancements in the Wildtrak X includes a track that grows wider by 30 mm, an added 26 mm of ground clearance, and new partly machine-finished black 17-inch alloy wheels shod with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres. The suspension is upgraded with position-sensitive dampers to both improve on-road ride quality and off-road wheel travel, and maintain steady body motion control in corners. Don’t expect a multi-link rear end with coil springs or Fox dampers, though - those are still reserved for the much faster and costlier Ranger Raptor.
The WIldtrak X also introduces a function that Ford named “Trail Turn Assist”, which applies the inner rear wheel’s brakes in off-road driving to shorten the radius of sharp turns by up to 25 percent; along with “Trail Control”, which automatically increases engine power or applies the brakes to maintain a constant driver-determined speed over rough terrain.
Ranger Wildtrak X cosmetic changes
If the new alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres don’t draw your attention to the Wildtrak X’s special abilities, the wider track and increased ride height will. Apart from the obvious off-roading improvements brought about by the revised suspension, increased ground clearance and specialist tyres, Ford also aimed to reduce the desire for owners to fit non-OEM aftermarket accessories by developing the Wildtrak X just for those owners. Imagine it as a factory-customised Wildtrak and you’ll be almost entirely correct.
There are other differences to the Wildtrak X’s exterior, too. There’s a new grille with driving lights integrated into its horizontal slat, along with orange accents in the bumper and a steel bash plate underneath. Cast aluminium side steps are standard, and various trim pieces like the grille surround, Ford badges, mirror caps, door handles, and rear bumper are all finished in black.
The changes inside are a bit more subtle, but the leather/suede-combination upholstered seats receive “Wildtrak X” logos embroidered on their backrests, as do the upper glovebox cover and floormats. Orange contrast stitching rounds off a cabin that should be sufficiently unique to remind owners that they’re in something a bit more special than a normal Wildtrak.
Other Wildtrak X equipment
Apart from the changes listed above, the Ranger Wildtrak X receives nothing extra on top of the normal model’s equipment list. Standard features include a 12-inch colour touchscreen to front the SYNC 4A infotainment system with wireless charging and wireless smartphone mirroring, a 10-speaker B&O audio system, and a complete driver assistance suite which includes active parking assistance (self-parking), blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane centering, and a 360-degree camera.
Other creature comforts at this specification level includes automatic dual-zone climate control, a configurable digital instrument cluster, electric front seat adjustment, keyless entry with pushbutton start, all-LED exterior lighting, and parking sensors at both ends. As far as standard gadgets go, the Ranger Wildtrak is up there with (or beyond) most premium-brand SUVs at this price point. Kudos to Ford, boo to the premium-brand OEMs!
Ford Ranger Wildtrak X price
These high-tech goodies, the enhanced AWD system, cosmetic add-ons, and new off-roading technology do not come cheap, adding a substantial R 88,000 to the standard Wildtrak 2.0 BiTurbo 4x4’s asking price. The new total of R 1,013,000 is only R 13,400 shy of the significantly more powerful 3.0 V6 turbodiesel variant’s list price, which may present buyers with a bit of a conundrum: Near-Raptor-level off-road ability and OEM styling add-ons in the X or much stronger performance but a plain appearance in the V6, for similar money?
That would depend on the individual buyer’s preferences. Those who don’t need the V6’s performance will be perfectly happy with the BiTurbo four, especially in its latest form, and it’s bound to be considerably lighter on fuel as well as being more aggressively styled than its more-powerful sibling. And, given it’s improved off-road ability, more-rugged stance, and enhanced appearance over the normal Wildtrak, the new Wildtrak X may eventually come to be seen as a junior (albeit much slower) Raptor for nearly two-hundred-thousand less. It’s all about perspective!
Martin Pretorius
- Proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
