2024 Ford Ranger Platinum
Ford is once again setting new benchmarks in the highly competitive bakkie segment with the launch of the Ranger Platinum – the most luxurious and sophisticated Ranger ever.
The Platinum joins the recently announced Tremor as the latest addition to the Ranger line-up.
The Platinum series takes prime position at the pinnacle of the standard Ranger line-up, alongside the mighty Ranger Raptor, which is the master of high performance and off-roading.
Class and style
The Ranger Platinum distinguishes itself from the rest of the Ranger line-up with a unique grille incorporating accented mesh and a silk chrome finish for the horizontal bars and grille surround. This is complemented by three-dimensional ‘PLATINUM’ badging on the bonnet and lower sections of the front doors for a further exclusive touch.
The loadbox incorporates the fixed sports hoop and side rails as standard, while the tailgate features additional damping for enhanced ease of use.
On a practical level, the Cargo Management System is fitted as standard, making it easy to safely secure all types of loads, while the useful roof rails are carried over from the Wildtrak models.
Buyers can have the nifty powered roller shutter fitted as an added-cost option.
The Platinum joins the Raptor as the only Ranger models currently available with Ford’s innovative Matrix LED lights which are built into the signature C-clamp headlamp design.
The fully adaptive Matrix LED lighting system offers numerous benefits, including a glare-free high beam which prevents dazzling other road users while providing increased visibility at night.
Customers can select from five colour options for the Ranger Platinum: Iconic Silver, Frozen White, Carbonized Grey, Lucid Red and Agate Black.
Luxury interior
While the exterior enhancements make it abundantly clear that the Ranger Platinum has an upmarket pedigree, the cabin truly embodies the no-comprise approach to comfort, convenience, and supreme luxury.
The seats are unique to Platinum and feature premium quilted and perforated high-grade leather, along with accent stitching and “PLATINUM” badges on the front seatbacks and floor mats to emphasize the vehicle’s special status.
Furthermore, the front seats offer heating and ventilated cooling functions, along with 10-way power adjustment with a memory function. This allows the occupants to achieve the perfect seating position with ease, and remain supremely comfortable regardless of the weather outside.
The driver also benefits from a heating steering wheel to take the edge off icy winter mornings.
The instrument panel, similarly, gains an exclusive edge thanks to soft-touch trim with accent stitching, attractive Black Maple decorative finishes for the dashboard and door appliques, satin aluminium trim strips, and the addition of the upper glovebox for enhanced practicality.
With ambient lighting as standard, owners can change the interior ambience to suit their preferences or mood.
Refined performance
The premium look and feel of a high-end luxury vehicle is one thing, but it must be matched with effortless performance – and in this regard, the Ranger Platinum doesn’t disappoint.
It features the same silky smooth 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine as found on the top-spec Wildtrak model, delivering a seamless 184kW of power at 3 250 r/min and a massive 600Nm of torque from 1 750 to 2 250 r/min.
This highly praised V6 engine provides seamless performance in the city, on the open road, when towing (up to 3.5 tons), or venturing off-road.
It is mated to Ford’s sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission that is electronically controlled using the compact e-Shifter, and is packaged with the switch-operated electronic parking brake.
As with all V6 models in the range, a full-time four-wheel drive system is standard, providing sure-footed traction and control, regardless of the driving conditions.
It operates in 4 Auto (4A) by default for both on and off-road driving, while 4×4 high-range (4H) and low-range (4L) can be selected for gravel and more challenging terrain, respectively.
Rear-wheel drive only is available by switching to 2H.
Pricing and warranty
The Ranger Platinum and Ranger Tremor will be available in local showrooms at the end of Q1 2024, with indicative pricing as follow.
Ranger Platinum Double Cab 3.0L V6 4WD 10AT: R1 119 000
Ranger Tremor Double Cab 2.0L BiT 4WD 10AT: R977 500
Included as standard is Ford Protect comprising a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance, and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
Customers have the option of purchasing a service or maintenance plans up to eight years or 135 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
