There is always a first time for everything, so they say. Apart from all things cars, this writer enjoys learning about aviation and technology.
So when Ford South Africa sent through an invitation email to see their newest member in the bakkie segment, I jumped at it. The email was then followed by a request to download the FordApp before the launch. “What in the Ford’s name?” I asked myself.
Well, that might not have been too much of a surprise because vehicles have technologically advanced through the years and I have tested cars that can be commanded via a cellphone.
Arriving in Durban North at the Virginia Airport Hanger, we made our way into the Cessna Grand Caravan charter plane and our destination was Port St Johns airfield where Ford had all its new FX4 models lined-up for us to test.
I am not a fan of small aircrafts, in fact, I fear them. The last small aircraft I was in was the Embraer ERJ 135 LR and the experience was not bad.
The flying time until touch down at the airstrip was approximately an hour and what made it memorable for me, was being able to sit right behind the pilots and watch the jittering instrument cluster gauges.
You will now understand why I mentioned at the beginning of this article that there is always a first time for everything, and that brings us to the new Ford Ranger FX4.
It is the first model locally to be equipped with the FordPass Connect technology. Arriving at the launch, my co-driving partner paired his phone and the pairing experience was seamless despite the wobbly network signal.
With the app, we were able to view fuel level and range, oil life percentage, GPS location of the FX4 as well as odometer reading.
We were also able to start the vehicle by holding down the virtual ‘start’ button on the Smartphone and the vehicle started within a few seconds. There is more one can do on the app such as activating the dual-zone climate control system remotely.
The FordPass Connect technology is available in all Rangers from XL specification upwards, from February 2021.
After a brief lunch, it was time to sample the FX4 Ranger. It is based on the XLT Ranger and it is stunning.
It comes fitted with black 18-inch alloy wheels, FX4 insignia on the doors and tailgate, and what we found charming and out of the ordinary are the load bin roll bars that extend a little bit further to the rear. The front grille is borrowed from the Ranger Thunder but without the red trimmings.
Jump inside the cabin and you are greeted by an interior that boasts similar stitching to what lurks in the Thunder and Wildtrak models. The leather seats, dashboard, gear lever and the steering wheel have red stitching.
There are also FX4 logos on the seats.
Like most Rangers we have tested, the FX4’s interior is well equipped. It remains settled and does not rattle over poorly maintained roads.
It is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen that incorporates the brand’s Sync 3 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Under the hood of the new Ranger FX4 lies a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with an adequate 132 kW of power and 420 Nm of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission gets the job done by sending power to all four wheels in the 4×4 variant that we have sampled.
Depending on the application, there is a 4×2 variant that is powered by the same unit.
Our launch route included a mix of gravel and water crossing, as well as tar driving. The Ranger FX4 handled all the tasks with so much simplicity. There is a rotary switch situated next to the gear selector and from there you can change to four-wheel-drive or low-range by just toggling a switch.
The new Ranger FX4 does not pretend. It is capable and it is worth it when you are looking for a bakkie that fits every occasion. If you have R687 900 lying around somewhere, then the 4×4 is worth looking at. Ford charges R618 900 for the 4×2 variant.
Safety comes courtesy of active safety features such as Electronic Stability Programme with Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist, Roll-over Mitigation, Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Control and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist.
The Ranger FX4 is equipped with a full complement of airbags including dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, plus a driver’s knee airbag.
There are child seat anchorage points fitted to mount ISOFIX-equipped child seats.
