Ford Ranger Platinum: A Pinnacle of Luxury Bakkie Hits South African Market

South Africa's automotive landscape welcomes a new paragon of luxury as Ford introduces the Ranger Platinum to its lineup. Sitting at the pinnacle of the Ranger family, the Platinum model is a testament to Ford's commitment to blending robust utility with premium comfort at a price point of R1,119,000.

At first glance, the Platinum stands out with its distinct design elements. An exclusive grille with accented mesh and a silk chrome finish sets the front fascia apart, alongside eloquent three-dimensional badging that adorns the bonnet and doors, declaring its Platinum status. This motif is echoed in the silk chrome detailing found on the side steps, vents, window linings, and rear bumper, which harmoniously complement the 20-inch alloy wheels with machine-faced details and ebony accents, fitted with versatile all-season tyres.

Tailored in five classy hues – Iconic Silver, Frozen White, Carbonized Grey, Lucid Red, and Agate Black – the Ford Ranger Platinum caters to diverse aesthetic preferences. The functional embellishments continue with a sports hoop, standard-fit side rails, and roof rails that bolster its utility credentials. The tailgate not only adds extra damping but also gives buyers the option of a powered roller shutter integration for heightened convenience.

It's inside the cabin, however, where the Ranger Platinum truly shines. Quilted high-grade leather adorns powered seats that offer heating and cooling options for optimal comfort, coupled with "Platinum" badges that reiterate the truck's luxurious identity. But luxury isn't just felt, it's interactive; ambient lighting sets the mood while a prominent 12-inch centre touchscreen display, equipped with Sync 4A infotainment, enables seamless connectivity through wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging.

Technical finesse is not spared in the Ranger Platinum. The driving experience is enhanced with a 12.4-inch full-width LCD instrument cluster, a feature it shares exclusively with the athletic Ranger Raptor. The performance is delivered robustly by a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine—producing 184kW and 600Nm of torque—mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, and bolstered by a dynamic four-wheel-drive system, adjustable to various ranges to conquer diverse terrains.

The Ranger Platinum is equipped with an array of drive modes, from normal to rock crawl, ensuring adaptability to all driving conditions, alongside a substantial towing capacity of up to 3,500kg. The advanced tow features, including a pro trailer back-up assist, augment practicality for those who work as hard as they play. The spectrum of safety features is comprehensive, from advanced adaptive cruise control and active park assist to a suite of airbags, ensuring that the Platinum is as safe as it is luxurious.

Ford South Africa's GM for Marketing, Doreen Mashinini, underscores that the Ranger Platinum's introduction into the local market marks a moment where the boundaries of bakkie luxury are redefined, aspiring to the comfort levels akin to premium SUVs.

The new Ranger Platinum, along with the Tremor, will hit showroom floors by the quarter's end, each sold with a four-year/120,000km warranty. Service and maintenance plans are customizable, extending up to seven years/200,000km to cater to customer preferences.