Before we get to the excellent new Ford Ranger Wildtrax X, we’ve got to talk surfing. We must because this reviewer has taken up said pastime after the age of 40 and, sadly, it’s now become almost my entire personality. Do you know how to identify a surfer over 40? You won’t have to, because they’ll tell you all about it at every possible opportunity …
I honestly didn’t think my affliction was too bad. Until I began to catch my friends’ eyes glazing over as I responded to “what you been up to?” Of course, I have to stop myself from giving a never-ending account of the waves ridden and not ridden this winter. And that’s another misnomer to address before we talk Ranger Wildtrak X. Pretty much anywhere in the world, surfing is a winter endevour. So, forget the cult movie Endless Summer. In the Western Cape, it’s all about chasing the Endless Winter!
WHAT ABOUT THE FORD RANGER WILDTRAK X?
Nevertheless, while everyone is bored to tears by me, at least this Blue Oval stead to chase waves with isn’t. Of course, I’m talking about the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X and I genuinely believe it is the sweet spot of the Ranger life right now. Think of it as halfway house between the luxury Wildtrak and kick-your-teeth-in Ranger Raptor.
It costs R1 070 500, which, by today’s standards, is not an insurmountable amount of money for the ultimate adventure bakkie. Key to its offering is the rear Power Roller Shutter, which has been around for some time. And the new Flexible Rack System (a R19 000 extra). For a surfer, the aforementioned is an absolute game-changer. The rear rack can move anywhere you need along the load bay so you can affix your beloved surfboards. Best of all, it means you don’t need to immediately fit a bulky canopy to make your Wildtrak X practical.
ONE HIGH-TECH BAKKIE
Truthfully, the 9-foot longboard fitted to the Flexi Rack System is purely for show. My 6-foot shortboard fits inside the Wildtrak X cabin no problem. And that’s the board you want to tackle the Western Cape’s pumping winter swells. Nevertheless, it’s the Ranger’s impeccable road manners that win the day as we start our peninsula search. Wow, this bakkie really has blossomed into a full-rounded conveyance. The high-tech cabin is awash with practical stowage areas, soft contact points and all the modern conveniences (mod-cons) imaginable.
In fact, it might be a little too comfortable for the perfect surf mobile, come to think of it. Because climbing out of the high-riding, temperature-controlled cabin into freezing gale-force winds to pull on a damp wetsuit isn’t exactly enjoyable. But surfers are a different breed, I guess. Part human, ‘part seal,’ as my wife loves to point out to me as I’m shivering in the corner post-surf. Nevertheless, there’s nothing a truly committed surfer won’t endure if there’s the chance of a perfect wave at the end of it …
RAPTOR-LITE
Better still, unlike pulling into the carpark in a rusted-out Corsa Ute, when you arrive in a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, there are only accepting head-tilts all around. First and foremost, this beast of a bakkie looks the part. It’s 30 mm wider than a regular Ranger, as is its increased ride height. The X’s grille is bespoke, with just enough styling tweaks to notice, but not so many that it looks aftermarket ‘zef.’ Standard-fit General Grabber AT3 tyres with white-wall lettering look the part and provide sophisticated ride and stability both on and off the bitumen.
Furthermore, there is bespoke Wildtrak X trim all around, a brilliant Bang & Olufsen sound system, tablet-like touchscreen, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Best of all, all these mod-cons are reliable and predictable in their operation, too. Besides the digital trickery, spend enough time in it looking for swell and you discover just how wonderfully easy it is to drive. There’s precious little sawing at the wheel for a tall-riding bakkie, and even substantial undulations on the road pass-by unnoticed as you glide along.
QUICK AND EASY GOING
A such, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X uses the economical 154 kW and 500 Nm four-cylinder Bi-Turbo motor. Granted, it’s not especially economical – we saw 10.9 l/100 km most of the trip – but the motor pulls soundly from low down and is quiet and refined. Most other bakkies as big as the Wildtrak X would suffer from a slow steering rack and three-point turns galore. However, this not the case here. Better still, Ford has fitted a new Trail Turn function that can shorten tight turns by simply nipping the inside wheel’s brake. Although this is more of an off-road feature and will wear your ATs out if you attempt it too often on tarmac.
But this search for perfect winter waves highlights the Wildtrak X’s quick and easy-going nature. Of course, it’s a heavy bakkie, but lay into the throttle progressively and you build speed effortlessly. Just what you want scooting from spot to spot along the coast, trying to decipher what the wind, swells and tide are doing. Another quick surf rule-of-thumb I’ve come to learn, for those who are interested: If there are waves, you surf! Don’t leave one spot that’s working, thinking there might be something better elsewhere. In the time it takes to explore and return to your original spot, invariably, conditions will have deteriorated. There’s millions of waves out there, but it only takes one …
THE VERDICT
So, is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X the ultimate lifestyle surf vehicle? Absolutely. The Flexi Rack System is unsurpassed and when combined with the Power Roller Shutter, there’s no pre- or post-surf situation you won’t be prepared for. Many of these same traits will apply to mountain bikers, fishermen, canooists, you name it, and the practical benefits are endless. In this guise, the Wildtrak X absolutely monstered the task of chasing the Endless Winter all around the peninsula. This bakkie clearly walks a fine line between Raptor tough and Wildtrak comfort, but it does so while adding genuine practicality to the mix. I’m just sad I have to hand the keys back to Ford and go back to making do with an inferior solution to my surfing needs. You know, the ones I can never shut up about …
THE FIGURES
- Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2.0 BiT 10AT
- Engine: 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel
- Transmission: 10-spd auto
- Power: 154 kW
- Torque: 500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds (estimated)
- Consumption: 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested)
- Price: R1 070 500
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FORD RANGER WILDTRAK X?
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