Heels & Horsepower Magazine

The Ranger Stormtrak – coming to a Ford dealership near you soon

Ford South Africa is introducing another unique and appealing iteration based on the upmarket Wildtrak – the Ranger Stormtrak.

Following the remarkable success of the limited-edition Ford Ranger Thunder in 2020, Ford South Africa is introducing another unique and appealing iteration based on the upmarket Wildtrak – the Ranger Stormtrak – later this year.

“The Ranger Thunder was exceptionally well received when we launched it a year ago, proving unequivocally that there is strong demand for range-topping models that offer something different from the norm,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa.

The new Ranger Stormtrak follows the same recipe as the limited-edition Thunder, by elevating the style, sophistication and exclusivity of our most luxuriously appointed model in the Ranger line-up.

“The new Ranger Stormtrak follows the same recipe as the limited-edition Thunder, by elevating the style, sophistication and exclusivity of our most luxuriously appointed model in the Ranger line-up,” Mashinini says.

In Stormtrak guise, the Ranger seems to have gained several muscular, attention-grabbing 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.

Further identifying this limited-edition Ranger’s special status are three-dimensional Stormtrak logos on the lower sections of the front doors, as well as on the rear tailgate. The upcoming introduction of the Ranger Stormtrak also sees the addition of a vibrant new paint colour, Lucid Red. It can also be specified in Sea Grey, Frozen White and Blue Lightning.

It seems it’s not just on the styling front that the Ranger Stormtrak has gained special treatment, as practicality has been elevated too thanks to the standard fitment of Ford’s new Power Roller Shutter for the rear load compartment.

This ensures that goods can be safely secured in the loadbed with ease, 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 bedliner provides a useful 12-volt socket for powering accessories such as a camping fridge.

Step into the cabin and you are greeted with sumptuous luxury and attention to detail – including illuminated front scuff plates.

This theme is continued on the premium leather seats which incorporate 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.

As with the Ranger Wildtrak, the premium level of standard features is exceptional, including the SYNC®3 infotainment system with embedded navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as FordPass functionality that allows the owner to remotely access numerous vehicle features from their phone – such as remote and scheduled starts to either cool or heat the cabin.

Also standard is an extensive list of innovative active and passive safety systems and driver aids, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Collision Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert System, and Semi-Automatic Parallel Park Assist.

In line with its range-topping status, the Ranger Stormtrak is powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine which produces 157kW and 500Nm. It is paired with an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission that delivers seamless shifts matched to responsive performance and impressive fuel economy. The Ranger’s towing capacity of 3 500kg remains unchanged, along with the 800mm water wading depth and 230mm ground clearance.

Pricing for the Ranger Stormtrak will be announced closer to launch in late Q3.

Touch Down! The Ford Mustang Mach 1 Is Here And Its All Muscle and Action

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is the most track-focused Mustang yet, and it has officially touched down in South Africa. 

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is the most track-focused Mustang yet, and it has officially touched down in South Africa. 

As an exclusive limited-edition model, only 90 units are available for the South African market, making the new Mustang Mach 1 a highly sought-after car that pays tribute to the original, iconic 1969 version – but with all the modern design and performance attributes that have helped make the current-generation Mustang the world’s best-selling sports car.

The Mach 1 elevates Mustang to another level in the hearts of performance car fans.

– Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa

The V8-powered Mustang GT delivers exhilarating performance, but a specially calibrated 338kW version of the 5.0-litre unit in the Mach 1 ensures even greater thrills.

Mustang Mach 1 delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.4 seconds with increased downforce compared with the Mustang GT for enhanced cornering capability and high-speed stability. 

“There’s a reason Mustang is the world’s best-selling sports car, but the Mach 1 elevates Mustang to another level in the hearts of performance car fans,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “Road or track, this is the most capable Mustang yet and is more than worthy of carrying the legendary Mach 1 badge.

Mustang Mach 1 TREMEC six-speed manual transmission Ford 10-speed automatic transmission
Power 338kW @ 7 250 r/min
Torque 529Nm @ 4 900 r/min
Acceleration 0‑100 km/h 4.8 seconds 4.4 seconds
Acceleration quarter-mile (400 metres) 13.0 seconds 12.6 seconds
Braking 100-0 km/h 31.8 metres 31.9 metres
Top speed 267 km/h 249 km/h

PRICING

Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 6MT R1 182 100 incl. VAT

Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 10AT R1 203 800 incl. VAT

All Mustang models 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, with 15 000km service intervals.

New on the Tarmac: Meet the stylish new Ford Everest Sport

Ford South Africa has bolstered its position in the expanding and highly competitive sport utility vehicle (SUV) market with the introduction of the new Everest Sport. 

Based on the popular Everest XLT, the new Sport derivative includes a host of feature enhancements, both to the exterior and the cabin, giving the Everest a more dynamic and athletic look.  

SPORTY DESIGN

The Everest Sport boasts a black mesh grille and unique Everest badge on the bonnet, along with black mirror caps and door handles, ebony roof rails, special Sport decals on the rear doors and striking 20-inch black alloy wheels. The Everest Sport also comes standard with LED headlamps and daytime running lights, cruise control and front and rear park sensors with a rear-view camera. 

 

“From when it was first introduced locally in 2019, the latest-generation Everest has given Ford a strong foothold in the SUV segment of the local market” . 

– Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa
COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY FEATURES

The extensive standard safety package comprises Electronic Stability Programme with traction control, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Launch Assist, Roll Over Mitigation, as well as seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbag).

 
MODEL RANGE

Customers have the choice of 4×4 and 4×2 models, both of which are available with Ford’s frugal 2.0-litre Single Turbo diesel engine, delivering 132kW and 420Nm. The units are mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.

There are six body colours to choose from: Diffused Silver, Frozen White, Agate Black, Moondust Silver, Sea Grey and Copper Red.

 

“With the attractive new Everest Sport, we raise the stakes even further, catering to buyers who recognise and appreciate the qualities of the Everest but would like to set themselves further apart from the crowd through distinctive styling and feature enhancements”.

PRICING

2.0 Single Turbo 10AT 4×2 R662 800

2.0 Single Turbo 10AT 4×4 R704 400

All Everest models 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, with 15 000km service intervals.