Latest news with #FordRangerXLT
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Easy-going Ford Ranger XLT the perfect camping companion
Double cab bakkie not only comfortable and safe, but very easy on the juice too. There can be nothing more South African than jumping in a Ford Ranger and going for a weekend of camping at an ATKV holiday resort. And that's exactly what we did when we took our long-term XLT to Buffelspoort recently. Buffelspoort is located around an hour from both Pretoria and Johannesburg on the road out towards Sun City, which meant it was just long enough to appreciate the open road manners of our Ford Ranger double cab. Unfortunately, though, open road driving in this country is a dangerous thing and any and all safety systems are welcome in a vehicle. And even though our long-term Ford Ranger is a mid-spec model, that slots in above the XL and below the Wildtrak, it still comes with a level of active and passive safety features that many of its competitors simply can't match. Ford Ranger safe as a house On board, you have Dynamic Stability Control incorporating ABS, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control. And if you tick one of the Tech Pack boxes, you can have Pre-Collision Assist, Post-Collision Braking, Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage, Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection. ALSO READ: Even without a fancy badge, Ford Ranger XLT is a lot of bakkie On the road is also where the Ford Ranger excels with its car-like ride while still retaining its off-road abilities. To achieve this balance, there have been a host of under-the-skin improvements, from increasing the wheelbase by 50mm to moving the rear dampers outboard of the springs. Not that a trip to Buffelspoort required any sort of off-road driving, but it is worth noting that the front approach angle is up from 28.5 degrees to 30 degrees. And the departure angle is up to 23 degrees from 21 degrees. This is with the towbar fitted. The loadbin is large enough to swallow camping gear with ease. Picture: Mark Jones If the road less travelled still calls, the Ford Ranger features an electronic rear differential lock. A differential lock allows both wheels on a specific axle to turn at the same speed, providing additional traction when you're off-roading. This feature might still come in handy, as we chose a 4×2 Ford Ranger XLT instead of a 4×4, knowing most of its life would be spent in the urban jungle. Four driving modes Talking of which, The Citizen Motoring's bakkie comes with four selectable drive modes to help you get traction to the wheels that need it the most and in a way that is best suited for the situation at hand, without you having to be an expert. These modes are Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery. They adjust everything from the gearshift to throttle response, traction and stability controls, ABS and more. Tow/Haul mode is a new drive mode that optimises the gear shift timing to maintain power when you're climbing up a hill or deliver the right amount of engine braking when you're travelling down a hill. All of which comes in handy when you know that your Ford Ranger has a braked towing capacity of 3 500kg with a 350kg tow ball download limit. That's a heavy load. The XLT's interior. Picture: Supplied Perhaps the best kept secret of the four Ford Ranger XLT derivatives on offer is that you can have the 154kW/500 Nm 2.0 litre bi-turbo top spec model in 4×2 and 4×4 guise with a 10-speed automatic transmission if you really want the extra urge. Or you can opt for a simpler 4×4, or 4×2, 125kW/405Nm single turbo with easy shifting six-speed auto like we did. Trust me, and I have done the performance testing of our Ranger XLT, when I say that this combo is more than good enough for everyday use. ALSO READ: Ford Ranger's clever onboard systems allow you to tow like a pro Easy on the juice What's even better is the fuel consumption that has settled at 8.9 litres per 100km with a heavy bias towards city-type driving. It went into the high 7s on the trip out to Buffelspoort. It's really hard to fault this bakkie in single turbo guise. The Ford Ranger XLT double cab 4×2 SiT 6AT retails for R681 500. The price includes a four-year/120 000km warranty, with service and maintenance plans available as options.
The Citizen
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Omotoso to be deported
Here's your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today; Home Affairs have confirmed that controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso is in the country illegally and will be sent back to Nigeria. While police were arresting Omotoso on Saturday morning, their colleagues nabbed an extortionist pretending to be Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya. The con artist had managed to fleece at least R100 000 from an associate of a prominent SA businessman. Tensions in the GNU continue, with one expert saying the DA's stance on transformation could hurt it at the polls. And if you are looking for an alternative to the Ford Ranger XLT and Toyota Hilux Raider, VW may have a bakkie for you. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Nigerian pastor Omotoso 'illegally in SA' and set to be deported Weeks after being acquitted of rape, racketeering and human trafficking charges, Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso has again been arrested. Last month, the controversial televangelist was acquitted of 30 charges because the court found that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Omotoso was guilty. Televangelist Timothy Omotoso in the dock of the Port Elizabeth High Court. Picture: ANA However, in a dramatic turn of events, national police commissioner Fannie Masemola said Omotoso had been re-arrested on Saturday morning. CONTINUE READING: Nigerian pastor Omotoso arrested for violating immigration laws DA transformation policies stance dents its image and may lose it votes, says expert The DA's stance on transformation policies puts its reputation and reach at risk, says an internationally renowned reputation management expert. South Africa's transformation policies are aimed at rectifying the injustices and inequalities caused by the now-defunct apartheid laws. Democratic Alliance flag. Picture: @Our_DA/Twitter But the DA has opposed several transformation policies, such as the Employment Equity Amendment Act, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), and the recently announced Transformation Fund by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. CONTINUE READING: DA transformation policies stance dents its image and may lose it votes, says expert MK party slams GNU partners for prioritising political expediency before South Africa The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has accused the government of national unity (GNU) of failing to run the country and is calling for fresh elections. Various disagreements have occurred between GNU partners concerning Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana's increase in value-added tax (VAT). President Cyril Ramaphosa smiles as Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen shakes hands with Deputy President Paul Mashatile at a sitting of Parliament. Picture: AFP In a statement, MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said it is clear that the GNU is failing to govern with consensus on a number of issues. CONTINUE READING: MK party slams GNU partners for prioritising political expediency before South Africa Are you the real Godfrey Lebeya? Fake Hawks head extorts more than R100k A scammer pretending to be Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya has been arrested after extorting more than R100 000 from an associate of a prominent SA businessman. Police say the 41-year-old suspect used 'a profile picture and personal details resembling those of Lebeya' and allegedly reached out to the well-known businessman on WhatsApp. Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya. Picture: Gallo Images / Deaan Vivier The businessman, who resides in Gauteng, was told his phone had been hacked, before the fake Lebeya offered to help. CONTINUE READING: Are you the real Godfrey Lebeya? Fake Hawks head extorts more than R100k VW Amarok Life targets Ford Ranger XLT and Toyota Hilux Raider Volkswagen has added a new derivative to the VW Amarok bakkie line-up to go head-to-head with the Ford Ranger XLT and Toyota Hilux Raider. The new model is the 125kW VW Amarok Life 2.0 TDI which only comes with a 4×2 drivetrain and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The VW Amarok Life is built alongside the Ford Ranger in Silverton. Picture: Volkswagen Just like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux it is up against, the new VW Amarok comes packed with a range of practical and premium features despite not being a top-of-the-range derivative. CONTINUE READING: VW Amarok Life targets Ford Ranger XLT and Toyota Hilux Raider Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Afrikaners head to US | KZN cops ramped up for Soweto Derby | Viral topless car thieves
The Citizen
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VW Amarok Life targets Ford Ranger XLT and Toyota Hilux Raider
New bakkie model comes standard with alloy wheels, LED lights and smartphone integration. The VW Amarok Life is built alongside the Ford Ranger in Silverton. Picture: Volkswagen Volkswagen has added a new derivative to the VW Amarok bakkie line-up to go head-to-head with the Ford Ranger XLT and Toyota Hilux Raider. The new model is the 125kW VW Amarok Life 2.0 TDI which only comes with a 4×2 drivetrain and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. VW Amarok Life well-specced Just like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux it is up against, the new VW Amarok comes packed with a range of practical and premium features despite not being a top-of-the-range derivative. These include 17- ch Combra alloy wheels, power tailgate lock, trailer hitch and front and rear park distance control including a fixed rear-view camera. Six tie-down hooks and integrated cargo lights feature on the sides of the loadbox, making it ideal for both family and work-related tasks. ALSO READ: Powerful LDV bakkie slayed by VW Amarok, Ranger, Hilux and D-Max Inside, the Amarok Life features seat trim covers finished in durable fabric and an 8 inch multifunction display with radio, six speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity. Smartphone integration is seamless thanks to App-Connect (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). The VW Amarok Life includes a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and cruise control with a speed limiter. Safety is a priority, with LED headlights and daytime running lights, as well as driver and front passenger airbags. Frugal sipper The 2.0 TDI offers 125kW of power and 405Nm of torque from its four-cylinder single-turbo diesel powertrain. Claimed top speed comes in at 180km/h with the fuel consumption number set at 6.9 litres per 100km. The VW Amarok Life 2.0 TDI costs R704 700. Its two main rivals, the Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XLT and Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6 Raider cost R681 500 and R633 200 respectively The VW Amarok comes standard with a five-year/150 000km warranty and also a five-year/100 000km Genuine Easy Drive maintenance plan.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Even without a fancy badge, Ford Ranger XLT is a lot of bakkie
Single turbo diesel mill and six-speed auto box powertrain delivers great fuel economy. Keeping up with Ford Ranger badges is a bit like keeping up with the Jones'. Over the last five years or so, our long-term fleet saw the likes of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Thunder, Raptor, Stormtrak, Wildtrak X, Tremor, Platinum and Stormtrak. The Silverton-assembled Wolftrak would have probably been on that list was it not only for export markets. Ford Ranger XLT a familiar face It was a bit like putting on an old but comfortable pair of shoes when The Citizen Motoring's latest long-term Ford Ranger arrived in XLT guise. Despite the impressive list of mentioned model names, the XL and XLT grading system goes back many years on Ford products. This scribe owning a Ford Bantam XL more than 20 years ago. The XLT is one cut above the entry-level XL bakkies in the Ranger food chain. Our tester is a double cab 4×2 which is only offered in automatic transmission at R681 500. While it is bereft of fancy factory-fitted trim like sports bar, roof rails, side steps, steel roller shutter and pretty stickers, it does at least have a towbar and aftermarket tonneau cover. The loadbox is covered with spray-in loadbin-liner. ALSO READ: Can this Ford Ranger give the Toyota Hilux a Tremor or two? The exterior importance of the addition of the T to the XL means that this Ford Ranger comes standard with the auto C-clamp shaped LED headlights. The headlamps on the XL consist of blocks of very yellowish halogen lights which are not a patch on the commanding look created by the C-clamp LEDs. The Ford Ranger XLT's 17 inch rims are wrapped in chunky rubberware. Picture: Charl Bosch Chunky tyres The standard 17 inch alloy wheels are also clad in chunky 255/70 R16 rubberware. This make the alloys virtually pothole and pavement-scratch proof, something some of the lower profile fancier tyres and rims can't attest to. Inside, the XLT is fairly humble compared to its shinier siblings. There is no leather apart from the gear lever and no fancy finishes. Yet it doesn't bother us one little bit. It comes with a 10.1 inch portrait-style infotainment system and 8 inch fully digital instrument cluster, which makes a huge difference. Not that long ago tech like this didn't even feature in the top bakkies, nevermind in Plain Janes. Lots of tech The SYNC4A infotainment system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as FordPass Connect via embedded modem. It also features keyless entry and remote start, six-way manual driver's seat adjustment, reach and rake steering wheel adjustment, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charger and USB Type-A and Type-C ports in the front and rear and rear seat air vents. Safety features come in the form of seven airbags, traction control, dynamic stability control, pre-collision braking, cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, cross traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and hill-descent control. The Ford Ranger XLT also comes with front and rear parking sensors and reverse camera. ALSO READ: Isuzu D-Max X-Rider loses out to Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux Superb single turbo One of the bakkie's best features in our opinion is its 2.0 litre single turbodiesel engine. It makes 125kW of power and 405Nm of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed auto box. The single turbo has been very much underappreciated ever since it was introduced alongside its 2.0 litre biturbo sibling on the previous generation Ford Ranger. While it looks much less than the biturbo's 154kW/500Nm on paper, it is anything but a slouch as our tests against the clock have proven over the years. And yet the best of the mill is its fuel consumption. We have struggled to get the new bi-turbo under 11L/100km and the 3.0 litre V6 models under 13L/100km. Yet the single turbo mill hardly threatens double figures. The cabin is bereft of top-end creature comforts, but still very comfortable. Picture: Charl Bosch Over the first 1 600km of its stay with us, the Ford Ranger XLT achieved 8.9L/100km. And to be fair, that included a lot of stop/start city traffic. We are sure that with more open road driving, we can get close to Ford's claim of 7.5L/100km. Ford Ranger XLT a plush ride We'll even predict that it can achieve a 'from Joburg to Cape Town on one tank' challenge. It does come with an 80 -litre fuel tank after all. There is the added benefit of an Eco driving mode, which is available alongside Normal, Tow and Slippery. If we do undertake a ride like that, it is guaranteed to be a comfortable one. The Ford Ranger has raised the bar in ride quality. The XLT is no different, albeit not having any of the fancier dampers of its pricier siblings. It is an honest bakkie which versatility allows it to be anything from a rugged worker to a city clicker. We look forward to spending some more time with it.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Countdown to Costco: Gas station opens one month before much-anticipated retail warehouse
STUART — Costco Wholesale Corp. opened its members-only gas station here Tuesday, one month before opening its highly-anticipated retail store. The gas station is the first finished piece of the 49-acre development at 3173 S. Kanner Highway, just south of Martin County High School. The 156,438-square-foot Costco Wholesale store is to open 8 a.m. April 25. Workers waved signs along Kanner Highway Wednesday, beckoning drivers to sign up for memberships at a kiosk near the store entrance and to fill up their vehicles for the first time. Drivers who already had Costco memberships said they were impressed with the gas prices and said they were eager to start shopping at a Costco store closer to home. "It's quite a bit cheaper," said Jaimo Opila, of Stuart, after filling up his Ford Ranger XLT. He's had a Costco membership for more than 25 years, he said. "Not having to run to North Palm Beach is very, very convenient." A gallon of regular gas cost $2.73 per gallon Wednesday at Costco, the cheapest price in Martin County, according to GasBuddy, a comparison-search website for gasoline. "I just renewed my Costco membership at the end of last year, knowing that Costco was coming to Stuart," said Carla Williamson, of Stuart, adding she is excited to buy fresh produce and other goods in bulk. "I am thrilled, because it is going to help my family, in terms of cost of living. I have young children and food costs a lot." More: Stuart Costco store to open April 25 as 49-acre Kanner Highway development nears completion More: Stuart could get 'vast majority' of $206M-$400M economic benefit from Brightline station The gas station is open to members only. It has 12 pumps and 24 fuel positions. The station sold 500 gallons of gasoline on its opening day, according to Tony Sleugh, a Costco fuel operations manager. A Costco station typically sells 35,000 gallons of gas per day, he said, but the Stuart location is expected to ramp up to that volume once the adjoining store opens. Jack Randall is TCPalm's economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at or 904-466-4755. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Countdown to Costco: Gas station opens one month before retail store
