PRETORIA, South Africa – Ford SA now has stock of a limited-run Ranger Thunder that has added unique design and functions to what the brand describes as ”one of the most popular vehicles in South Africa”.
The bumper bakkie also has the bits and pieces recently added diode headlights, daytime running lights, foul-weather lights to all XLT, Wildtrak and Raptor derivatives.
Ford SA’s Doreen Mashinini told The Corner: “We’re delighted to have added the Thunder to what is already one of the bakkie segment’s front-runners which gives customers even greater value for money as well as improved driving safety.”
Among the enhancements is Ford’s Connected Touch Radio with a 20cm touchscreen instead of the 10cm display previously fitted to XLS models. The CTR system is an option on the XL derivatives.
Mashinini added: “As the winner of the 2020 International Pick-up Award the SA-assembled Ranger is one of SA’s most popular vehicles and continues to set the benchmark for style, luxury and array of technology.”
The Thunder, The Corner was told, was derived from the Ranger Wildtrak by adding a number of unique design features, starting with a honeycomb grille that has red accents as the “nostrils”, black detailing for the external mirror housings, and bold “Thunder” badging at the base of the front doors and on the tailgate.
BLACK LEATHER SEATS
New 18” multi-spoked alloy wheel rims are finished in black and the sport hoop from the Wildtrak gains a red insert.
The Thunder also gains black leather upholstery; the material has also been added to the fascia, steering-wheel, gearshifter and handbrake – each with contrasting red thread instead of the Wildtrak’s orange.
READ MORE Ranger features on Carman’s Corner
Practical visual enhancements include a lockable black roller shutter oer the loadbed – the bed having a cargo management system with a bed divider to compartmentalise items.
AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM
The Thunder has the same 157kW/500Nm, two-litre, bi-turbo, engine as in the Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor to spin its 10-speed auto transmission – in which individual gears can be locked out better to manage towing (max 1500kg), steep gradients, or slippery surfaces.
Wading depth remains at 80cm, ground clearance at 23cm, and the Thunder has adopted radar-controlled auto braking and a camera capable of identifying pedestrians and stationary and moving objects.
SLEEP DETECTION
Additional features available on the Ranger Thunder include cruise control/proximity alert which will stop the Thunder independently. There’s also lane-keeping and a monitor to detect driver fatigue – even a space-seeking parallel-parking assistant.
All models come with Ford Protect – a four-year or 120 000km (whichever comes first) comprehensive warranty, three-years of roadside assistance and a five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.
A six-year or 90 000km service plan is included with 15 000km service intervals.
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