If you have travelled to or through Mthatha, you will know it takes a combination of patience, aggression and a bakkie to best the town’s traffic, pedestrian and pothole problems.
So when Time to Torque rolled into the former Transkei with Ford’s premium Ranger Platinum, the craters in the suburbs off the N2 turned to minor cracks and traffic jams into a temporary inconvenience.
But before we get there, we left off in last week’s edition of Time to Torque after returning to Gqeberha from East London to swap out the Tremor for the Platinum.
We were ready for a long distance test on one of SA’s most dangerous stretches of road and some of the tightest corners in the cuttings along the 500km road trip.
And after adjusting the fully quilted leather, 10-way electronically adjustable, heated and ventilated seats, finding the right playlist to blow out of the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and grabbing the leather-wrapped multifunction heated steering wheel, we were ready for the road.
From the outset it was clear we had stepped up in luxury and power with the Platinum derivative pushing the ponies through its 3.0l V6 turbodiesel engine with 184kW and 600Nm, mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The combination saw us easily eat up the first 300km to East London, overtaking at will and allowing the vehicle’s intelligent adaptive cruise control system to the take the lead at times.
The drive had a feeling of gliding along the road as opposed to the rigidity of other two-ton competitors.
Seated in the suave cabin which is awash with chrome and leather finishes, the allure of Platinum is evident as the interior is fitted with everything, and then some.
It introduces the sophistication of the upmarket SUV segment while maintaining the practicality of a bakkie.
With features including wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through the 12-inch centre touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, several USB A and C ports and a digital instrument cluster, among other things, the spacious and well-insulated interior is a pleasurable place to be.
After stocking up on supplies and filling the load bin — which also has 12V and 240V sockets as well as an electric roller shutter — to transport items from East London for a funeral in Mthatha, we again set off.
However, this time a little more aware as we headed out from Gonubie with the sun setting and approached SA’s most dangerous stretch of road — the N2 between East London and Mthatha.
While driver-assist features such as the stop-and-go, lane-keep assist and driver fatigue warning systems, among other things, are nice to have, it was the Platinum’s innovative Matrix LED headlights that made all the difference as we climbed the Kei, Mtentu and Mbhashe cuttings.
The bright-as-day headlights independently turn as the vehicle takes the corners, creating a greater field of vision as well as switching between the high beams to accommodate oncoming traffic.
All the while, feeling particular balanced in the tight turns, despite being fully loaded both in the cabin and rear.
And little more than two hours after setting off from East London and set in eco mode — one of six driving modes, namely, normal, eco, slippery, towing, mud/ruts and sand — we arrived safely and stylishly at my father-in-law’s home running at a respectable 9.9l/100km, the figure jumping to little under 13l/100km in town.
It was here, among the male elders of this bakkie-loving community that the Platinum received its praise with older models being made to move out the yard for the Ranger’s prime parking spot in front of the main door, welcoming those visiting to offer their condolences.
While the exterior aesthetics of the Platinum, including 3D chrome badging on the bonnet, sides and damped tailgate, a bespoke chrome grille, two recovery hooks and 20-inch aluminium rims were appealing to guests and onlookers, it was the tech that took the prize.
After introducing the old guard to the functionality of the touch screen with its fully adjustable 360-degree view from several cameras, the multitude of ambient lighting settings and off-roading gadgetry like trail control and trail turn assist, it was again the pro trailer backup assist with trailer reverse guidance that piqued interests.
Engaging this feature allows the driver to perfectly line up the tow bar and turn the trailer in its intended direction, with the turn of a dial, as opposed to the cumbersome task of counter-steering the trailer into position.
In the days that followed, the vehicle kept turning heads and starting up discussions about the future of the premium double-cab segment while making us feel like the belle of the ball among the “ballies” and their bakkies.
And it’s that type of confidence the vehicle instils in the owner, who is fully aware of the more than R1m asking price but is not fazed by it, opting for the prestige and presence that comes as part of the package.
Overall, it’s a matter of getting what you paid for with the combination of top-end creature comforts, soft driving experience, state-of-the-art technology and of course, status, that makes it a viable option for those able to afford it.
The Platinum come with a four-year/120,000km warranty and four-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance, with customers given the option to purchase service or maintenance plans of up to eight years/135,000km, and the warranty can be extended for up to seven years/200,000km.
The Ford Ranger Platinum 3.0l V6 Diesel 4WD 10AT is priced at R1,119,000.
The Herald
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