The Ford Ranger is already one of the top-selling vehicles in the country. Now, continuing with Ford’s quest to offer customers a wider range of features and options in the Ranger line-up, an exclusive limited-edition Ranger Thunder has been launched in South Africa. This exciting new addition to the range includes a raft of unique design and functional enhancements to the much-loved Ford Ranger base model.
The exciting new limited-edition Ranger Thunder adds a sportier and even more exclusive dimension to what is already one of the pickup segment’s front-runners in South Africa. This new model sits perfectly between the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and the Ford Ranger Raptor and is the ideal fit for that buyer who wants a bakkie with a sportier feel but without losing the luxury car feeling that the Wildtrak provides.
Bring the thunder
Derived from the highly successful Ford Ranger Wildtrak, the addition of the exclusive Ranger Thunder brings even greater style, luxury, capability and practicality to the range. Numerous distinctive design features are unique to the Ranger Thunder, starting with a revised honeycomb-style front grille incorporating red accents for the side “nostrils”, which gives this new derivative a distinctly performance-oriented demeanour inspired by Ford’s sportiest models.
This is complemented by black detailing for the side mirror housings, and bold three-dimensional “Thunder” nomenclature at the base of the front doors and on the rear tailgate. The new 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are finished in black which adds to the Ranger Thunder’s assertive and sporty character. Additionally, the integrated sports hoop fitted as standard on Wildtrak models now gains a striking red insert that adds further stylistic flair.
Luxury, inside & out
The Ranger Wildtrak is already renowned for the luxurious feel of the interior cabin, but the Thunder raises the bar even further. The extensive swathes of black leather that adorn the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake shrouds now feature striking red contrast stitching in place of the orange used on the Wildtrak. New front leather seats have been fitted, featuring bold “Thunder” decals embroidered in red.
Aside from the visual enhancements, the Ranger Thunder benefits from numerous practical additions in the load compartment too, including a lockable “Mountain Top” black roller shutter to safely secure goods being carried. There’s also a cargo area management system with a bed divider that allows the owner to easily compartmentalise the available space for securely holding different-sized items.
Ranger Thunder models are exclusively available in Sea Grey, Frozen White, Absolute Black and Moondust Silver. As with the Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor, the Thunder is powered by the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine which produces 157kW and 500Nm, and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination, which benefits from the transmission’s Progressive Range Select (PRS) function by giving the driver the ability to lock out gears from the automatic shifting range, makes the Ranger Thunder ideal for towing or when driving in slippery conditions or climbing steep gradients.
Exciting features
In addition to bold design and a smooth drive, the Ranger Thunder also offers some exciting features. The vehicle offers many of the same technologies that debuted in the current generation Wildtrak, including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Additional features available standard on the Ranger Thunder include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, and a Driver Alert System.
The Ranger Thunder also benefits from Ford’s innovative Semi-Automatic Parallel Park Assist (SAPPA), which takes the hassle out of parallel parking manoeuvres by using ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear bumpers that search for parking spaces that are big enough to park the vehicle, and alerts the driver when a suitable spot is found.
Even more upgrades
While the new Ford Ranger Thunder is the exciting new car of the hour, Ford took the opportunity of this exciting limited-edition launch to bolster the standard specification on almost its entire Ranger line-up. There are several enhancements to the already impressive list of standard features on XLS and XLT models, which Ford says gives customers even greater value for money, as well as improved driving safety.
Most notably the manufacturer has introduced LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights and front fog lamps as standard on the new Ranger Thunder, and on all XLT, Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor derivatives. Ford’s Connected Touch Radio (CTR) with an eight-inch touchscreen replaces the smaller four-inch display and entry-level SYNC®1 system previously fitted to XLS models. The CTR infotainment system is available as an option on the XL derivatives, which also gain practical side steps as an optional extra.
On the Ranger Wildtrak, the list of factory-fitted options has been expanded to include the roller shutter for the rear load box, along with the new black finish for the 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels.
All models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A six-year/90 000km service plan is included, with 15 000km service intervals.
Want to know more? Find out everything you need to know about the new Ford Ranger Thunder in the launch video below:
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