It’s clear that campers aren’t for everyone, but if someone is thinking about getting one for work or leisure, they’ll definitely consider buying a Ford Ranger, a best-selling model in this regard. category in Europe.
This is already the fifth generation of the American car and we have already been able to specifically test the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2023, which is the highest version of the range in addition to the aggressive Ford Ranger Raptor, which occupies its space in terms of design. c.
Before I go further, if you don’t have the leased one, I remind you that within the boundaries of the Ford Ranger there are different versions, which are from the smallest to the most decorated: XL, XLT, limited and finally this one that I experience Ranger Wildtrack.
Major Design Changes to the Ranger Wildtrak
The first thing that stands out is that it looks more robust on the outside, if it is possible to give such a form an even more formidable appearance. And these are not subjective perceptions on my part, but something that can be seen with the new indicators, which are now much larger and have taken the vulvar technology as a standard. Unusual for this type of vehicle by the way.
In addition, the mitre’s stress lines are hydroformed, which is a way of working with materials in other areas, such as bicycles, to achieve very precise shapes.
The Ford Ranger has grown in width by 50 mm to accommodate the more powerful engine, as we will see later. And this is important, because customers were demanding more powerful mechanics. This greater width also permitted the installation of a larger auxiliary battery.
It measures 5.37 meters long, 1.91 meters wide (2.2 with mirrors) and 1.88 meters high, so it’s a long car that’s difficult to maneuver with and that you have to climb into the cabin.
Fortunately, you can count on the 360º vision camera and the assisted parking (550 euro option), so that the parking is not obstructed, and to get inside or access the transport area at the back of the bathroom, it has a scratch and a special one. gradually placed on the side, behind the abutment. A simple and smart solution.
The front air intakes have also been increased in size, which not only creates a more aggressive look, which I mentioned before, but also allows better mechanical cooling.
From the side the changes are not so pronounced and at the back it stands out that the letters ‘Ranger’ are fixed in the rear, unlike the sticker used before. In addition, the lid of the chest has sharper lines and the bath comes with an automatic lid as standard.
This lid, which is like blind aluminum, can be opened from a distance, from the inside or with a button inside the bath. This region, unlike the vagabonds, has its own light. In addition to the ruler on the ends of the sticks for measurements to use in professionals, for
This is the inside of a Ford Ranger Wildtrak
The base has also grown by 50mm compared to the previous generation. 3.27 meters in total, as you can imagine, the space in the room is sensational.
In Spain, by the way, the Ford Ranger Wiltrack is sold only in the double cabin version, that is with two seats and space for five passengers, but in other markets the single cabin version is sold as they call it. Supercab
The fact that the wheel is longer helps that it does not overhang for as long and therefore to increase its distance on the road. It has an attack angle of 30º, a ventral angle of 21º and a departure angle of 23º.
As for the perceived quality, I must admit that I was impressed to find that it was a premium tourism interior, not a car designed for 100% work.
Inside I have a cast of soft surfaces, I sit in painted leather seats, sewn in a different color, and I know that the various parts fit so correctly that there are no cracks even on a journey that I have made for more than one hour. .
The fact that the Ranger is wider than before also helps to increase its capacity to load luggage or materials, since those extra 50 mm in width now allow a Euro pallet to fit in the rear box, since this area measures 1,224 mm wide. .
You can transfer the rear box to 1,067 kg and, having a resin base, it is perfect for transporting all types. And to this we must add the rails that incorporate as a standard, the holes that have a resin base that allow them to be divided and retained, and the 12V and 240V electrical outlets, the plug that you need.
Premium car technology, not a pick-up
And if I liked the materials and adaptations, the technological section left me speechless. It has a fully digital 8-inch dashboard, which allows to see not only the navigator, but also the parameters of the 4×4 system or the trip computer, for example.
The main screen is 12 inches and arranged vertically. I think the configuration is the most powerful, not only because it mimics the screen of a mobile phone, but also because it allows you to have different options at a glance, and prevents you from having to take your hands off the wheel. or turn your eyes away from the road.
It has the latest operating system feature, which is Sync 4 and is twice as fast as before. It comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, as well as “wireless” phone call and OTA updates (via the Internet without a dealer).
Ford Ranger Wildtrak mechanical range
The new Ford Ranger Wildtrack is now available with two different engines. The previous 2.0-liter biturbo diesel with 205 hp is kept, which delivers 100 Nm of torque, but a new V6 has now been added to the range, also a diesel, but with 240 hp and 600 Nm of torque.
This is the second version of the Ranger Wildtrak 2023 that I drove in this test and it is true that it is more energetic than the first stomp. The consumption of this route in which I was not too careful when the accelerator went over 11 liters, although Ford declares an average cost of 10.1. Not a little of either, really.
The change is automatic by turning the torque in all cases. It’s called the E-Shifter and it has 10 speeds. It’s lighter than faster, and not much more efficient when you use the tabs on the sides of the mobile knob, which will allow you to switch the transmission mode to manual and up and down as you please.
The truth is that this solution does not seem to me to be the most appropriate, because on a long descent the asphalt automatically removes inertia and the change does not hold unless you change to one or two years less. Without a doubt, a much better solution would be some paddles behind the wheel.
The drive is 4×4 in all cases, but the car has a rotary selector knob that allows you to choose between 2H (rear drive), 4H (all-wheel drive for off-road driving), 4A (automatic 4×4), and 4L (reduction).
It should also be noted that it offers five driving modes: Normal, Eco, Trailer (supports up to 3,500 kg), Slippery, Mud and Sand. All affect brake and throttle response, stability control, and traction control.
In addition, it has hill descent control and a rear differential lock, so that the traction is excellent with obstacles or complicated roads. You can transfer 100% power to either axis if conditions require it.
Price and factors that determine the purchase
The Ranger is Ford’s global model, that is, it is sold in 180 different countries and manufactured in six different plants, although it is designed in Australia (not in the US as it is supposed to be). The units that are sold in Spain are specifically assembled in South Africa.
It is available from now on for an official price of 55,930 coins in the case of the 2.0-liter version and for 57,930 coins in the model with the V6 engine. But it has an official discount of 14.5% on the ex-official price, which equates to about 7000 euros.
This means you can get the Wildtrak V6 for 50,800 Euros and the ‘addition’ model for around 2,000 Euros less. This suggests that the V6 will be the main selling point, as there is little price difference in response and performance between the two.
