Quit the milk bottle jokes, the new Ranger is now also available with 2.0-litre single- and bi-turbo engines, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. And whatever your views on cubic capacity, it makes for a super-capable vehicle.
The exterior has been given some tweaks, including new HID headlamps. The interior is now a bit darker, and the suspension has been revised for a plusher ride with less body roll.
The 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre turbodiesel engines are retained in a line-up that includes 33 derivatives, but the big news is the latest tech. The single turbo engine puts out 132kW and 420Nm; the bi-turbo (Wildtrak only for now), delivers 157kW and 500Nm of torque – yet uses up to 9% less fuel than the 3.2 with its six-speed auto gearbox.
This is a superb update of a great bakkie. A drive on twisty tar roads and rocky logging trails in the mountains above George shows that it delivers. Coupling a 10-speed transmission to a proper low-range transfer case, plus diff-lock when needed, offers a spread of ability that is hard to match. Pricing is keen, too…
2.0 Single turbo XLT 10AT 4×4 – R580 200
2.0 Bi-turbo Wildtrak 10AT 4×4 – R678 200
