From workhorse to tech marvel: the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab Bakkie excels in every aspect
We've had our long term Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab bakkie for a couple of months now and it's been a trusty workhorse without skipping a beat.
I've carted a faulty tumble dryer to the repair shop, saving on the call-out fee, lawnmowers, because the city council has long since given up on service delivery where we live, so veld grass verges need to be cut and thrown a bakkie load of wood on the back with winter creeping up on us.
I've also focused on my fuel consumption and, between my partner and I, we've managed to get it down to 9l/100km.
It helps that much of the driving has been done on highways, but for a 2.0-litre Bi-turbo diesel engine with 154kW and 500Nm of torque aided by a 10-speed automatic transmission, that's not bad for a big bakkie.
Ask Ford self-service
While bakkies of yore were considered primarily as agricultural implements, the new generation of leisure transport is in a completely different class.
This is especially so with the Ford Rangers with driving dynamics closer to a modern SUV, interior creature comforts that hit it out of the park and technology to scare any luddite.
One of those is the Ask Ford self-service tool that allows you to ask a question 24 hours a day and is then retrieved and answered from Ford systems, owners' manuals or Ford websites. It uses the repository's AI technology to search for the best responses.
Ask Ford self-service is integrated with the Ford Pass app, incorporating an embedded factory-fitted modem that enables certain functions of the car to be performed from your phone.
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