The recently-announced Ranger Stormtrak is expected to make its debut in Namibia towards the end of September. Based on the luxuriously appointed Wildtrak, the Stormtrak is poised to continue the success of Ford’s popular recent limited-edition model, the Ranger Thunder.
According to local sales representatives, the Ranger Stormtrak 4X2 will be priced at N$790 000 while the off road 4X4 derivative will go for N$850 000. Both of these available models will be offered with an automatic transmission.
All new Ford Rangers come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A six-year/90 000km service plan is included which covers six services. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.
“When it was launched in 2020, the Ranger Thunder added distinctive styling and enhanced functionality to the already trendy and popular Ranger Wildtrak on which it was based,” said Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “The Thunder proved itself a tremendous success surpassing all expectations with a sales tally of well over 2 000 units during its 12-month production run,” she said.
“The new Ranger Stormtrak builds on this strong foundation by introducing even more striking visual enhancements and convenience features to Ford’s generously specified bakkie,” said Mashinini.
The Ranger Stormtrak gains several outlandish design elements, including a striking black mesh grille with red inserts, a black insert in the lower section of the front bumper, black decals for the bonnet and doors, black roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black.
Three-dimensional Stormtrak logos on the lower sections of the front doors, as well as on the rear tailgate identify the newcomer, along with an attention-grabbing model specific Lucid Red paint colour. The Stormtrak can also be had in Sea Grey, Frozen White and Blue Lightning, all formulated to appeal to the varied personalities of Ranger customers.
The styling upgrades to the Stormtrak are matched with carefully considered convenience features to aid day-to-day practicality, including a Power Roller Shutter for the rear load compartment, which allows a customer to electronically open or close the protective shutter over the loadbox and provides a convenient method to securely stow cargo out of sight.
Compared to the manual roller shutter, which can be locked only in specific predetermined positions, the intelligent Power Roller Shutter can be securely locked in any position and has also been designed with an anti-pinch feature to prevent injury or damage when contact is made with an object.
Bespoke buttons on the key fob, instrument panel and inside the load box add to the overall convenience of the system, complemented by the tailgate locking mechanism being integrated into the vehicle’s central locking system.
Adding further versatility is the adjustable bed divider kit that makes it easy for the owner to compartmentalise the cargo area according to the size of the items being carried – thus preventing goods from shifting around when driving. A drop-in bed liner provides a useful 12-volt socket for powering accessories such as a camping fridge. Inside the cabin you are greeted with luxury and attention to detail – including illuminated front scuff plates. This theme is continued on the premium leather seats replete with striking red stitching, as well as the Stormtrak logo taking pride of place on the front seat backrests. Red stitching is used throughout the leather-trimmed cabin, including on the soft-touch dashboard upper, steering wheel and gear lever, further enhancing the sporty ambience.