2.2 Ranger - Danger

Dad wants the toughness and machismo of a Ford Ranger, mom wants the comfort and driveability of a Ford Everest. But if Mom could have a frugal, family-friendly double cab Ranger with an automatic gearbox, then both parties are pleased, no? Actually, yes. And it’s for this exact reason that Ford have added nine new 2.2TDCi automatic Ford Rangers into the local lineup. Where the mighty Toyota Hilux is still king of Single Cab Town, sales of double cab Rangers are reaching new heights. With the addition of the new no-brainer transmission into the humblest of Rangers, the 2.2 TDi Single Cab 4x2 XL Auto (R273 596) excl VAT, there’s a good chance that the numbers may change for the bettter.

To put the new autos to the test, local media flew to George where Ford put together a launch route that included every possible road surface. From the award-winning golf estate perched on the dramatic cliffs of Pinnacle Point, we drove our Ford Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab 4 x 2 XLT (R) to the dunes near Vleesbaai where we swapped vehicles to take part in some responsible 4x4-ing (in the Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab 4 x 4 XLS). It wasn’t a particularly challenging route, but with the sand being very soft, it was almost surprising that not one person managed to get stuck. It was only when we physically had to climb up the dunes with our own two legs after sandboarding down, that I realised exactly how soft the sand was. I had to stop and rest about five times before reaching the high dune’s summit - obviously I have been neglecting the cardio.

After our dune adventure we took to the tar to get to Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar, a beautiful wine farm nestled in the green, Karoo-like foothills of Herbertsdale. We were back in the Ford Ranger 2.2TDCi Double Cab 4x2 XLT, equipped with Ford’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, namely SYNC2. It took my colleague a while to pair her phone, but once that was done there’s was no need to disconnect hers to connect mine, as the systems allows for multiple users. Fully voice-activated and a captive audience to your inner control freak, it allows the user to access various functions such as the phone and sound system, and to set the air-conditioning to your exact preferred temperature.

After a laid-back lunch of charcuterie and delicious, thin-crust pizzas, my colleague and I procured a Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCi Double Cab 4x4 XLS Auto for ourselves, and as the route was now mainly on gravel, we switched from 2x4 to 4x4 High (on the fly) for bettter grip and stability, via the rotary dial on the centre console. Now the Ranger felt beautifully secure, and driving the back roads (including Thomas Bain’s panoramic Robinson Pass) to George Airport was an absolute pleasure. The 2.2-litre Duratorq engine offers a meaty 118kW and 385 Nm, and even though it’s not insanely powerful it imparts a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes on the Ranger. Fuel consumption in the XLT version we drove earlier was a thirsty-ish 11.8 litres per 100 km, but in the XLS we managed to get our diesel consumption down to 9.1 litres per 100 km. That’s the difference between driving in town and road-tripping through the countryside.

I really like the functional layout in the Ranger. The plastics are of a high quality, and the rugged, modern look of the instrument cluster in both the mid-range XLS and high-end XLT is easy on the eyes.

                                                                                             Recommended Retail Price         Environment Tax

	Incl E.Tax	Incl E.Tax	CO2	CO 2
	Incl VAT	Excl VAT	Incl VAT	Excl VAT
RANGER 2.2 DIESEL AUTO
SINGLE CAB
RANGER 2.2 TDCi SINGLE CAB XL 6AT 4X2	R311,900	R273,596	0	0
RANGER 2.2 TDCi SINGLE CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R426,900	R374,474	0	0
SUPER CAB
RANGER 2.2 TDCi SUPER CAB XL 6AT 4X2	R357,900	R313,947	0	0
RANGER 2.2 TDCi SUPER CAB XLS 6AT 4X2	R411,900	R361,316	0	0
RANGER 2.2 TDCi SUPER CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R472,900	R414,825	0	0
DOUBLE CAB
RANGER 2.2 TDCi DOUBLE CAB XL 6AT 4X2	R384,900	R337,632	R4,150	R3,640
RANGER 2.2 TDCi DOUBLE CAB XL 6AT 4X4	R426,900	R374,474	R6,544	R5,740
RANGER 2.2 TDCi DOUBLE CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R517,900	R454,298	R6,544	R5,740
RANGER 2.2 TDCi DOUBLE CAB XLT 6AT 4X2 Auto	R482,900	R423,596	R4,150	R3,640
OPTIONS
Metallic Paint	R750	R658
Spare Wheel Lock	R840	R737
6" Alloy - XL Models only	R6,540	R5,737
PDC/Camera - XLS Models only	R7,210	R6,325
Steel Rear Bumper - XLS Models only	R1,000	R877
Electronic Locking Differential - 4X2 Models only	R4,130	R3,623