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Ford’s new Ranger is packed with new technology and features, and it sets the bar in terms of driving performance, safety, tech and towing systems. T6 Platform engineer Ian Foston chatting with Balita24 Motoring editor Janine Van der Post and explains everything we need to know about the all-new bakkie.
Ford’s new Ranger is packed with new technology and features, and it’s set the bar for a new generation of bakkies from here on out.
The Blue Oval brand has been developing the new Ranger for the past 10 years, and T6 platform engineer Ian Foston was one of the people involved in the engineering process of the new vehicle. He chats to News24 Motoring’s Janine Van der Post at the local launch in December. In this comprehensive video above (filmed by Colin Mileman), he explains everything you need to know about the bakkie’s new tech and safety systems.
2022 Ford Ranger
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The Ranger is built at Ford’s Silverton plant in Pretoria – one of five global hubs in the world and the third to begin production for export to more than 180 markets. Ford also teamed up with Volkswagen for the new Amarok; this vehicle was also built on the same production line at Ford’s local plant. Naturally, the Amarok shares the same chassis, engines, gearboxes, and features as the Ranger.
Quite literally, everything is basically new in the next generation car, from the engine, to the transmission, to the axles, to the chassis, along with a lot of new technology. There’s also a new transfer case that makes off-roading easier, even over the most daunting off-road obstacles.
2022 Ford Ranger
The various driving routes during the two-day launch showcased all of this and can make even the most novice driver feel confident to tackle some hardcore off-roading. The bakkie felt so light on rough terrain that I hardly ever thought twice about being stuck or unable to get through very difficult situations. A switch on the fly driving mode makes things easier, along with a quick press of the diff lock button.
READ | Ford’s new Ranger launched in SA: Here’s how its competitive pricing compares to Toyota’s Hilux
Chatting with Foston at the launch, he shared that he is an avid camper and clearly loves the outdoors. He takes his job seriously, which is evident just by talking to him about their new product. His bursting passion and pride for this new Ranger was hard to contain.
2022 Ford Ranger
He and his family have toured Australia and driven his Ranger through some of the most rugged desert scenery and harshest regions of the Australian Outback, so he feels at home here in SA as he goes back and forth here on regular visits. Our mountainous and bushy 4×4 trails are a playground for the new Ranger to show off.
Foston is based in Melbourne, Australia, and is responsible for the delivery of body-on-frame vehicles. It covers current production and all-new development vehicles sold in 180 markets, manufactured in 10 assembly plants worldwide, and has five joint-venture partners.
Foston joined the Blue Oval brand in 2006 after spending 14 years at Jaguar Land Rover. During his 29-year automotive career, he worked around the world in various product development positions, primarily at Ford.
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