Positioned at the pinnacle of Ford South Africa’s Ranger portfolio, the Ranger Platinum has finally made its way to our shores, with the most luxurious iteration of the next-generation Ranger boasting a host of premium fittings and interior features. Here’s what you can expect.
Priced from R1 119 000, which includes Ford’s four-year/120 000 km warranty (service and maintenance plans are optional), the Ranger Platinum was introduced to the SA market alongside the recently launched, adventure-ready Ranger Tremor.
However, whereas the latter model was designed with a focus on going off the beaten track, the Ranger Platinum focuses on luxury. However, that’s not to say it can’t cope with roads far removed from tarmac.
Indeed, the Ranger Platinum, although equipped with a range of premium features, will take you anywhere — from the city centre to desolate environments — with its 3.0-litre V6 oil-burner coupled with the Blue Oval brand’s full-time four-wheel-drive set-up.
As a reminder, the turbocharged engine with which the Ranger Platinum, just like the unit powering the Everest Platinum, is endowed churns out 184 kW and 600 Nm, with the latter available from a lowly 1 750 r/min to 2 250 r/min. Ford’s 10-speed self-shifter sends power to all four corners.
In addition, the 4WD system features high range (4H), low range (4L), and “4 Auto” (4A), the latter of which you can engage if you want to have this premium double-cab bakkie making the decisions by itself during on- or off-roading. As with many 4×4 bakkies, rear-wheel drive is available in the 2H setting.
So, what makes the Ranger Platinum so luxurious? Well, to name but a few of this double cab’s additional equipment, it is fitted with fully adaptive, matrix LED headlamps with glare-free high-beam functionality. It also rides on a set of 20-inch alloy wheels. Chrome trim adds sophistication, while “Platinum” badging is found all-around.
However, it’s the interior where the most notable changes — or, rather, additions — have been made. Among many other items, the Ranger Platinum’s interior is kitted out with model-specific, 10-way electrically adjustable, leather pews, replete with heating and cooling functionality. The steering wheel also offers heating for the cold winter days.
What’s more, there’s a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch, portrait-orientated touchscreen infotainment system, the latter of which incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which relays tuned via a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. A 360-degree camera system is also present.
