Ford Ranger Wildtrak Review
Ford exhibited the Ranger Wildtrak at the Geneva Auto Show and we think time is ripe for premium pick-up trucks to enter India. The lifestyle pick-up market hasn’t been addressed as yet in the country and it remains unexplored.
There are pick-up trucks available in the country like the Tata Xenon, Mahindra Getaway and Genio but look at them hard and you will realize that they aren’t what can be classified as proper lifestyle trucks, which are such a rage in other countries, especially the US.
Ford should seriously consider launching the Ranger Wildtrak in the country because it shares a lot with the latest Endeavour sports utility vehicle, which is going to be launched here soon.
Photo Credit: Imagenesdecarros.org/fotos/un-deportivo-compacto-pick-up-q-ford-ranger-wildtrak-2012
Both the Endeavour and the Wildtrak share a common platform and the later is manufactured in Thailand and it can be easily imported as completely knocked down (CKD) unit. And it would be great if the Wildtrak is manufactured within the country as this will see it priced competitively.
The Ranger Wildtrak raises the bar when it comes to safety and has lots of high-end equipment and features, which buyers don’t perceive would be present in vehicles such as this.
Ford amply demonstrated during the world debut of the Ranger Wildtrak at Geneva that a pick-up truck can be hi-tech, safe and at the same time quite powerful. The new Ford Ranger Wildtrak is offered in three body shapes and with option of two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak Features
Powerplant
The main engine doing duty under the hood of the Ranger Wildtrak will be the new 2200cc diesel producing 150hp.
Photo Credit: Tunespeed.com/car/new-car/ford-ranger
Buyers can also opt for a 3200cc engine, but this powerplant is unlikely to make it to India because it won’t be fuel efficient and Indian customers are sensitive about the mileage their vehicle delivers.
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Features
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak pick-up will have safety features like electronic stability program (ESP), anti-lock braking system (ABS), airbags and trailer sway control system (TSCS), which keeps the nearly 1500kg vehicle firmly planted when it is driven on road or off it.
What will be also welcome is the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which will be seen for the first time on diesel-engined vehicle here and may also find itself doing duty on other Ford vehicles sold in the country.
Photo Credit: Velocityshow.net/2012-ford-ranger-wildtrak/2012-ford-ranger-wildtrak-interior/
Even if we don’t get the same gearbox, Ford might build a similar unit for small-sized engines in its range. Why should India get pick ups like the Ford Ranger Wildtrak? Pick-up trucks are a rage in the West as they offer versatility which is missing in other vehicles.
They are practical, have go anywhere capability and because of their spacious cargo bed, owners can carry almost anything on them. In India, pick-ups are mainly sold in rural and semi-urban areas, where the only means of transport for both people and goods is the humble and robust pick-up.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak Price
If Ford introduces the Ranger Wildtrak here in different trim levels, which will address different customers, the price expected will be around the Rs 14-lakh mark. There is no doubt the Ranger Wildtrak will set a standard for luxury lifestyle pick-ups and kick start a whole new segment.
