The “tougher, smarter, more efficient” Ford Ranger 2.2L Wildtrak has been named as the‘Pickup Truck of the Year (Twin Cab)’ at the Malaysia Car of the Year (COTY) 2018 Awards, further reinforcing the Ranger’s top position in Malaysia’s pickup truck segment.
Hosted by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute a.k.a. MARII (formerly Malaysia Automotive Institute, MAI), winners of the awards were assessed based on five criteria: exterior and interior design, technical specifications and engineering innovations, safety features, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, as well as best overall value for money.
“We are honoured that the Ranger has received yet another prestigious endorsement. With its unmatched versatility, comfort and advanced technology and features, Ford Ranger has proven itself as the toughest and smartest truck that customers can count on to help them achieve more, whether at work or with their families,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (above, at an earlier VOTY Car Awards event)
The Ranger 2.2L Wildtrak delivers robust capability with unbeatable towing ability of 3,500kg, class-leading water-wading capability of up to 800mm and exceptional payload capacity while adding a level of refinement unseen in the pickup truck segment. The Ranger continues to be Ford’s best-selling nameplate in Malaysia and one of the best-selling pickups in the market. In the third quarter of 2018, sales of the Ranger jumped 61% to 2,245 units sold.
For more information on Ford, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot now available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese – to provide a better customer engagement experience.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia announced its participation in this year’s Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 which will take place from 23 November 2018 until 2 December 2018 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The show will see the official launch of Ford’s most anticipated vehicle of the year, the Ranger Raptor – the first and only factory-built, high-speed off-road performance truck. Combining the Ranger’s ‘Built Ford Tough’ character with Ford Performance DNA, the Ranger Raptor sets a new benchmark in off-road capability and opens up a new premium pickup segment.
Alongside the Ranger Raptor (below), Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) will also unveil the New Mustang (above) exclusively to visitors, the only unit flown into Malaysia on air freight, and will be showcased specifically for the 10-day show.
The SDAC-Ford stand will focus on delivering an immersive customer experience journey through interactive technology. It will enable visitors to engage with the brand through socially shareable content. Interactive experiences include the Virtual Reality Test Drive which educates visitors on Ford’s safety technologies, while the Augmented Reality Experience transports drivers to the various terrains the Raptor is able to overcome through its Terrain Management System (TMS).
Another highlight will be the Self-Guide Audio Tour, where visitors will be able to tour the stand at their own pace with a fully narrated audio guide headset. This “personal tour guide” will inform visitors on the stand’s design concept, educate visitors on the vehicles on display and promotions and happenings.
Visitors who make a vehicle booking of the New Ranger and New Mustang at the 10-day show will stand a chance to grab cash vouchers in a wind tunnel machine. The first 888 customers who register their new Ford Ranger will each receive an electrical goods voucher worth RM1,0001. Customers who purchase any new Ford Ranger variant will also be in the running to win a Ranger Raptor under the ‘Buy A New Ford Ranger, Win A Ranger Raptor’ Contest1. On top of that, Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be offering new Ranger including New Ranger Raptor customers up to 2 years free maintenance or up to 40,000km for customers who successfully register their vehicle before 31 January 2019, whichever comes first1.
The SDAC-Ford stand (No.1009) is located at Hall 2, Level 1 of the MITEC and is open to the public from 10am to 10pm on weekends, and 11am to 10pm on weekdays from November 23 until December 2. For more information and ticketing info, visit www.klims.com.my.
The first-ever Ranger Raptor, Ford’s new 4×4 off-road, performance pick-up truck, blasted out from behind its camouflage during a reveal event in Thailand recently, which means it’ll soon be here… and it can’t come soon enough! Just look at it…
The ultimate Ranger is purposefully designed, built and tested to set a benchmark as the only factory-built performance truck across Asia Pacific. Designed by Ford Performance team for the true enthusiast off-roader, Ford Ranger Raptor strengthens Ford’s commitment to deliver “Built Ford Tough” pickup trucks to customers in Asia Pacific.
“We are so excited and proud to unleash this vehicle to the public, driving it really makes you feel like a hero,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Performance. “The Ford Performance team is excited to extend the Raptor name from our flagship off-road performance F-150 to Ranger. Just like the F-150 Raptor, the Ranger Raptor builds upon the core capability of the range of vehicles it comes from and carries the unmistakable Ford Performance DNA appearance.”
Tuned for all Terrain…
Ranger Raptor comes with a Terrain Management System (TMS) offering six modes for various driving experiences, which can be selected via a dedicated five-button switch located on the steering wheel. Each mode has been calibrated to offer the best possible combination of technologies working in unison to tackle the chosen terrain or driving style with aplomb. These include:
On-road modes
– Normal mode – Emphasising comfort, fuel economy and driveability
– Sport mode – Responsive for spirited on-road driving. This means fast, crisp gear shifts at higher engine speeds to aid throttle response. The mapping reacts to increased demand inputs from the driver by holding gears longer and downshifting more aggressively.
Off-road modes
– Grass/Gravel/Snow mode – Designed to inspire safe and confident driving on off-road slippery and uneven surfaces. This is done through smoother gear shifts and second-gear starts, minimizing the probability of wheel slip.
– Mud/Sand mode – Vehicle responsiveness is tuned for optimum traction and momentum in deep, deformable surfaces like loose sand and mud. This is achieved by maintaining lower gears with high torque.
– Rock mode – Used specifically for low-speed rocky terrain where smooth controllability is key.
– Baja mode – Vehicle responsiveness is tuned for high-speed off-road performance, just like drivers need in the famous Baja Desert Rally. In this mode, vehicle systems like Traction Control are pared back in terms of intervention to allow spirited off-road driving without fighting the vehicle’s on-board systems. Gear selection is optimized for maximum performance, and the mapping will hold gears longer and downshift more aggressively.
Power to Move You…
The Ranger Raptor powertrain features cutting edge technology to offer more power and torque, better fuel economy, less weight and with off-road specific calibrations for engine, transmission, driveline, steering, brakes and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In a revolutionary move to deliver incredible performance and responsiveness, a 10-Speed transmission is combined with a new 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo diesel engine in the Ranger Raptor to deliver a maximum of 213PS (157kW) of power and a whopping 500Nm of torque.
Ford’s comprehensive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is also there to help in difficult cornering and braking situations. The impressive technology suite includes Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Load Adaptive Control (LAC).
We’ll keep you posted on the impending Malaysian launch of the Raptor, coming soon! – CW.
Setting a new benchmark in off-road pickup capability, the Ranger Raptor has been designed to combine Ford Performance DNA with Ranger’s renowned toughness and engineering capability
Ranger Raptor includes standard front and rear Fox Racing Shox shock absorbers to help travel at high speeds off-road and includes increased ride height, wider track and improved approach and departure angles that ensure extreme off-road capability and stability
Innovative all-new Watt’s linkage rear suspension with coilover rear springs helps ensure rear axle lateral stability off-road while also improving ride and handling
New powertrain combination of a 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo diesel engine and 10-speed transimission has proven durability through extensive testing, offering smooth torque and power through independent turbos and closer gear ratios over a wider overall span
Ranger Raptor has been tested in the world’s toughest conditions to ensure an unrivalled off-road package is offered to astonish and excite drivers
