Ford Ranger Wildtrak Pick-up

Ford Ranger Wildtrak Pick-Up - THE TRAKS OF MY TYRES

Ford’s Ranger Wildtrak pick-up looks good value, whether you’re an adventure sports enthusiast or not.

If you’re one of these lunatics who enjoy travelling out into the back of beyond in order to risk life and limb by participating in some absurdly dangerous adventure sport, Ford have thoughtfully created a vehicle just for you. At first glance, it looks like they’re limiting their market a bit here.

Just how many of these death-defying individuals are there in the UK? Aren’t us Brits supposed to prefer a cup of tea and a nice sit down to plunging off a cliff with an elastic ban tied loosely round our ankles?

As with so much in the modern motor industry, it’s all smoke and mirrors stuff. By telling us that the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is aimed at trendy adventurous types like mountain bikers, snowboarders and jet skiers, the Blue Oval marketeers instantly arouse the interest of individuals who have no intention of ever undertaking any of the above but would like other people to think that they do.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a special edition version of the standard Ford Ranger that, as is special edition tradition, offers lots of equipment and styling accessories for an attractively low price. Ford’s promotional blurb on the vehicle tells us that: "the Ranger Wildtrak is the ideal vehicle to transport the active sportsperson to the most extreme terrain, anywhere in the world". Whether it’s true in Venezuela or Papua New Guinea is difficult to ascertain but, if the marketing men are to believed, over here it’s virtually a given that all active sportspersons drive around in special edition pick-up trucks. The reality is a little different because the relative success of these vehicles in recent years has more to do with the pick-up’s commercial vehicle tax classification than any growth in sports apparently designed to put the participant directly in harm’s way.

Most of the people you see driving these vehicles aren’t bleach blonde surf bums but builders, plumbers or other self-employed business people. It’s because they can buy a double-cab pick-up and write it off as a business expense, reclaiming the VAT. The doublecab’s 5-seater interior, large carrying capacity and luxurious equipment levels (by commercial vehicle standards) make it an ideal crossover vehicle for business and leisure usage. Company car users may also be tempted because the pick-up’s van classification means they pay a flat rate instead of the costly Benefit In Kind tax levied on cars.

"The Ranger now needs to fight its corner on grounds of equipment and value for money"

So to the Ranger Wildtrak itself. This latest model has rear box rail extensions, an ‘aerodynamic’ sports bar, lower sports cladding and tail lamp protectors to enhance its appearance. Side intake 'gills' add to the visual effect. New integrated door mirror indicators and puddle lamps provide additional differentiation and Wildtrak decals on the front, side and rear identify it as a special Ford Ranger.

Combined with these stylish features are smarter alloy wheels, a sports front grille, side steps, an aluminium style front over rider and roof rails, an integrated bedliner and a rear protection bar with integrated park distance control. The cabin features heated seats in leather and perforated alcantara with orange tricot backing, floor mats with Wildtrak logo, a sports steering wheel, a dash-mounted off-road 'information centre', plus premium interior and footwell lighting. Wildtrak scuff plates complete the package.

To make sure your friends don’t think you’ve bought any old Ranger, this variant is available with an exclusive range of unique two-tone colours: Chilli Orange or Passion Red combined with Titanium Grey on the lower part of the body make for a truly striking appearance. Other body colours that can be combined with Titanium Grey are Steel Silver, Andaman Blue, Storm Black and Strato Blue.

The Wildtrak is powered by a potent 3.0-litre TDCi turbo diesel engine tuned to generate 154bhp. The TDCi set-up is a little raucous but powerful with good low-end torque – similar, in other words, to the diesel powerplants that you’ll find in most UK market pick-ups. The 4x4 transmission system also follows a familiar formula. The driver can select three modes, rear-wheel drive, 4x4 and a special low range 4x4 for serious offroad obstacles. To aid rear-wheel traction on treacherous surfaces, there’s a limited slip differential as standard. The Ranger performs well in the rough with its proven mechanical set-up and chassis.

Where Ford have taken a distinct step forward is in terms of the comfort and handling in the latest version of the Ranger. The on-road ride of pick-ups generally leaves something to be desired - especially when unladen - and even though the Ranger still maintains this rather bouncy tradition, it subscribes to a less extreme form. Both front and rear dampers have been tinkered with, making journeys over rough road surfaces noticeably more sedate. In addition, driver-friendly alterations to the power steering and gearbox make pottering about town less of a chore.

The latest Ranger is good enough to take the fight on equal terms to the pick-up sector class-leaders, so the extra equipment and style of this Wildtrack version should help it consolidate Ford’s position amongst lifestyle and commercial users who want something a little different. It certainly looks the part, the list price of around £21,000 seems generous and the Ranger’s proven mechanicals should stand up to all the rough treatment you can dish out.