The Malaysian pick-up truck segment enjoys a cult-like following with fiercely loyal fans who will not accept any discussion about any other truck being better than theirs.
Fans of the Hilux will swear that the Toyota is God’s gift to mankind while the fans of the D-Max, Navara and Triton are probably ready to bear arms to defend their choice.
But in the midst of it all, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is the silent King. Elegant, poised and well equipped for just about anything the world has to throw at it, the Ranger Wildtrak is perhaps the one truck that could comfortably hold a wheel to any other brand because it has about all of the features that one could ever need.
The modern pick-up truck is a different vehicle from what it used to be. Before the Ford Ranger appeared in the late 1990s, pick-ups were pretty much workhorses and comfort was not a strong point. They were intended for use in rough conditions and mainly for business purposes.
Ford changed that image and usage norm when it introduced the Ranger which offered more comfort, a passenger car-like interior and even stylish looks – without losing that rugged ‘Ford Built Tough’ capability.
Many people found it easy to use a Ranger, and decided that it could serve as their daily drive instead of a passenger car. It was ideal as a multi-role lifestyle vehicle, just as useful for sending the kids to school as well as going off-road to explore the countryside on weekends.
If you’re keen on making the switch too, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has special offers this month that will save you money. They’re offering up to RM7,000 savings for the Ranger Wildtrak, and up to RM8,000 savings for the more performance-oriented Ranger Raptor. These are for the 2020 models imported from Thailand and between 2020 and 2021, no major changes have been made so they are just as good and up to date.
Besides the comfort, the Rangers come with a high level of protection. The Ranger WildTrak has an extensive array of smart safety technologies including first in-class features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning.
It also comes with the first and only in-class Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking system – definitely a useful feature considering the length of the vehicle. Not only does the system help to find the right size parking space but it also automatically steers itself into the bay. All the driver has to do is control the power and there’s even a rearview camera to show what’s behind.
The Ranger Raptor remains as the first and only factory-built high-speed performance pick-up truck in Malaysia. It has been developed by Ford Performance and all the extra items on the vehicle are factory-fitted, not aftermarket installations.
Its race-bred suspension uses Fox Racing Shox that have extra-long travel for those who want to try ‘flying’ (literally) over the ground. The advanced Terrain Management System is like a ‘computerised co-driver’ which has various modes to suit different surface conditions and optimise stability and traction.
There’s even a Baja Mode, the name referring to a region in California where desert races are run. Ford engineers have taken experience from engineering vehicles for such races and in this mode, the Raptor can rocket over rough terrain at high speeds with stability and more linear power delivery.
The Ranger Raptor is powered by a 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with 213 ps/500 Nm (compatible with B7 and B10 diesel grades) Power flows to four wheels through Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission and a robust transfer case which provides a second set of ratios that are very low for tougher conditions.
“As models at the top of their class, the Ranger Raptor and Ranger WildTrak are the epitome of lifestyle pick-up trucks that are gaining in appeal to discerning customers and pick-up enthusiasts in Malaysia. With these special deals, we hope to offer customers more savings this festive season,” said Turse Zuhair, Head of Sales at Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.
Find out more about the Ranger models by visiting www.sdacford.com.my where you can also check the locations of authorised Ford dealerships. You can also send a WhatsApp message to the Ford Digital Salesperson at +60 19-204 1200 to get information and immediate answers to queries.
The Chinese New Year festive season is coming up and if you want to celebrate it with a brand new vehicle, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has some deals for you which could save up to RM6,000. The savings are for the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ranger Wildtrak models (selected year) and while stocks are available.
The Ranger Raptor is still the only pick-up truck of its kind in Malaysia and even the region. Built with the expertise and assistance of Ford Performance, it sets a new benchmark as the first and only factory-built performance pick-up truck in the country.
While there are some models which have bodykits installed to give them a more macho look but the performance is not increased, the Ranger Raptor has enhanced performance to go with its much more aggressive appearance. In particular, the Fox Racing Shox that are installed as standard provide higher damping forces at full bounce and rebound to enable better off-road capabilities – and the ability to handle jumps.
The Ranger Raptor comes with a powerful 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine which produces 213 ps/500 Nm which goes to the rear or all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. An intelligent Terrain Management System offers 6 modes, including a Baja Mode, which customise the engine and performance characteristics to the terrain for optimum grip and stability.
Not everyone may need the extreme capabilities of the Ranger Raptor but still want off-road capability without giving up on refinement. This is where the Ranger WildTrak will prove to be an ideal choice. Besides a generous list of standard equipment and features, it also has an array of smart safety technologies.
Some of the first-in-class features are Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. There’s also Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking which will certainly be welcome by those who have been deterred by the vehicle’s size and length. At the touch of a button, the computer slots the Ranger Wildtrak in and all the driver has to do is manage the power.
Its 2-litre Bi-turbo diesel engine is also mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and provides drivers with 180 ps of power and 420 Nm of torque. This gives the WildTrak the ability to carry a maximum payload of 1000 kgs and a towing capacity of 3500 kgs.
To locate a Ford showroom in Malaysia, visit www.sdacford.com.my . In view of the current pandemic requiring observation of SOPs, customers are encouraged to make an appointment first. They can do so using WhatsApp to connect to the Ford Sales Line at +60 19-204 1200.
It’s that time of the year again when car companies want to make the festive season a more joyful one for you with money-saving offers if you plan on getting a new vehicle. Thanks to the coming of the Year of the Rat in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), which represents Ford in Malaysia, has attractive prosperity deals for the Ranger Raptor and Ranger WildTrak.
Until January 31, 2020, customers who purchase a Ford Ranger WildTrak or Ranger Raptor won’t have to pay for scheduled maintenance for the first 2 years (or maximum of 40,000 kms). Ang Pao worth RM2,000 and an exclusive Ford Performance Golf Umbrella are also included in the promotion.
Ford Ranger Raptor
During the same promotion period, the Ranger WildTrak will cost RM3,000 less with the cash rebate SDAC is offering. This can offset the downpayment, reducing the amount of the hire-purchase loan and therefore the monthly instalments.
Benchmark for pick-up trucks
Since being originally launched in the late 1990s, the Ranger has been a benchmark in the pick-up truck segment. Besides inspiring a trend to depart from the boring old utilitarian design, the Ranger also introduced, many class-leading safety features showing that Ford cared about the lives of its customers.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak
With the latest Ranger WildTrak, there are smart safety technologies which are on par with passenger cars. And of course, ‘Built Ford Tough’ capabilities ensure that the vehicle can take on any kind of terrain and provide many years of reliable service to its owner.
The Ranger Raptor – Malaysia’s first and only performance pick-up – will get the adrenalin gushing. It has Ford’s Performance DNA and features like the Terrain Management System, a huge Bash Plate underneath to protect against impacts and FOX Racing Shox dampers that will soak up the shocks from jumps.
Both variants, as with the rest of the Ranger line-up, come with a full manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or maximum of 100,000 kms.
For more information the Rangers available in Malaysia, visit www.sdacford.com.my.
The ever-popular Ford Ranger pickup truck achieved a strong first quarter in Malaysia with retail sales increasing over 9% from the previous year to 1,451 vehicles. The healthy first quarter performance helped Ranger increase its share of the pickup segment to 15.3%, a gain of 1.3 percentage points from the first quarter of last year.
“The ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger is continuing to attract a wide range of loyal customers across the country,” said Truong Kim Phong, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. Ranger continues to be Ford’s best-selling nameplate in Malaysia and one of the best-selling pickups in the market as strong demand has continued across the entire model line.
“Ranger’s bold design and its unmatched versatility, safety and capability is really helping drive its popularity in Malaysia,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.
The Ranger is available in Malaysia in 10 variants – including the Ranger Wildtrak, Ranger FX4, XLT, XL and Standard variants – allowing it to complement a wide-range of customer’s work and lifestyles. Recently, SDAC launched the much-anticipated and very much asked-for Ranger Wildtrak 2.2, which you can read about here.
“We are confident that the Ranger will continue to drive our momentum in Malaysia. We also plan to introduce more global Ford vehicles, as well as continue to enhance our customer and ownership experience, including the ongoing expansion of our dealer network,” added Muzri. (So when is the Ranger Raptor [below] coming in then eh? Hurry, hurry! – Ed.)
See more of the incredible Ranger Raptor during its unveiling at BIMS 2018here.
To support Ford’s fast-growing customer base in Malaysia, Ford and SDAC continue to expand the nationwide dealership network both in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Recently, Ford and SDAC announced the opening of a new Ford dealer facility in East Malaysia, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching). Read about that here.
