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Blue Oval looks to keep double cab advantage over its greatest rival the Toyota Hilux.
The Blue Oval has added yet another model – the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X – to its ever-growing bakkie line-up.
But where does the Wildtrak X fit into the greater scheme of things in the Ford stable? And more importantly for them, in their battle against South Africa’s top-selling bakkie, the Toyota Hilux?
Listen to Pitstop podcast
In The Citizen Motoring’s Pitstop podcast, Jaco van der Merwe and Mark Jones take a closer look at the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X. They discuss its importance in the Ford stable and how it will benefit them against the Toyota Hilux.
After rolling out the current generation Ford Ranger last year, the Blue Oval wrestled back the double cab segment from Toyota. And they have managed to maintain it over the course of 2023. But across all three body styles, single, extended and double cab, the Toyota Hilux still leads the Ford Ranger and the Isuzu D-Max.
ALSO READ: WATCH: X marks the spot for new Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Ford Ranger like no other
At a price of R1 013 000, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is definitely not going to be a volume seller. But it will offer buyers yet another enticing leisure option between the standard Wildtrak and Raptor.
Differentiating the Wildtrak X from the standard Wildtrak is better off-road credentials and styling enhancements. The Wildtrak X features Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, asphalt black machine-faced 17-inch rims wrapped with all-terrain tyres and Raptor-like cast aluminium side steps.
The very handy Flexible Rack System is offered as an optional extra. It consists of roof racks that fold into the roof rails and a sliding load rack that can be locked into five different positions.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: War between Hilux and Ranger gets X-rated
Off-road ready
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is the first bi-turbo in the stable to feature permanent all-wheel drive. It also features the manually selectable 2H, 4H and 4L, with seven additional driving modes to choose from.
Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control, which debuted on the Raptor, are offered standard on the Wildtrak X.
The Wildtrak X is only offered in one model. With 154 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque, its power outputs are unchanged from the standard Wildtrak. It is also mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
ALSO READ: Ranger XL might be a Plain Jane, but it’s a keeper
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