If you wanted a range-topping bakkie from the Blue Oval, but found the Ranger Raptor too potent for your liking, then you’d probably opt for more looks and luxury. Ford has filled that void with the Ranger Platinum model, which uses the same 3.0 turbodiesel V6 as its Everest stablemate along with some updates for 2024. Kyle Kock drove it in the Helderberg.
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Ford Ranger Platinum 3.0 V6 4WD AT Platinum Fast Facts
- Price: R1 119 000
- Engine: 3.0-litre, V6 turbodiesel
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Power: 184 kW at 3 250 r/min
- Torque: 600 N.m at 1 750 r/min
- Driven wheels: rear wheel drive, selectable 4WD with low-range
- Fuel consumption: 10.1 L/100 km
- CO2: 222 g/km
What are we driving and why is it significant?
While the Ranger Raptor is universally recognized as the ultimate bakkie in terms of its brutish performance, it is perhaps too edgy for the South Africans who want to use a double cab bakkie daily for the school run, commute, and run between meetings. On occasion, their bakkies will be called upon for leisure activities like towing a boat or caravan or to haul kayaks and bikes on family vacations.
Related: LONG-TERM WRAP UP: Ford Everest Platinum
At the local launch of the Ford Ranger Platinum and Ranger Tremor models, Ford Motor Company Africa president Neale Hill demonstrated the Ranger product portfolio over a Y symbol, with the base models coming up right to the XLT before the Wildtrak and Wildtrak split off to one side as 4×4 and adventure-ready bakkies. This is the same tier that the Raptor sits atop as the ultimate expression of offroad capability and speed. On the other side of the Y is the new Platinum, which is more focused on opulence and on-road comfort. Ford thinks that this is one of the keys (the other being Ranger Tremor) to unlocking even more market share.
What does the Ford Ranger Platinum cost?
The Ranger Platinum costs R1 199 000. It’s the only model in the Ranger line-up that makes use of the company’s 3.0 turbodiesel V6 engine and it’s also just R25 700 cheaper than a Raptor. I prefer to think of them as two range-toppers that represent different preferences of the buying public.
What are Ford Ranger Platinum’s rivals?
The Ranger Platinum sits atop a group of bakkies that are stylishly adorned with large alloys, flashy trim aplenty, and automatic transmissions. Additionally, they’re often kitted with leather upholstery and come with all the bells and whistles in terms of tech and safety. The strongest candidate for Ranger Platinum rivalry would have been the Mercedes-Benz X-Class in V6 guise, but currently, there’s another German bakkie that the Ranger shares DNA with that can also claim to be the most luxurious double cab, the Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI V6 Aventura (R1 184 200).
What is new on the Ford Ranger Platinum?
The Platinum comes with the satin chrome trim on the grille, badges, and window frames and boasts the largest alloys in the segment. Its windows are tinted fairly dark so that there’s a decent level of privacy for its occupants.
There are quilted and stitched leather seats inside the Ranger Platinum (heated and cooled up front), as well as a heated leather steering wheel. The Platinum also gets a split-level storage compartment in front of the front passenger and a 220v socket for charging of laptops, mobile phones, or whatever else happens to be in the bakkie. The infotainment screen in Platinum specification is also bigger than any other Ranger at 12.4 inches.
What is the Ford Ranger Platinum like to drive?
Driving the Ranger Platinum along Clarence Drive from Gordons Bay to Pringle Bay, I was reminded just how smooth the powertrain can be. The turbodiesel V6 isn’t there to have its neck wrung, but rather eased into overtaking manoeuvres through the clever calculations done by the 10-speed automatic and 600 N.m torque spread between 1 750 and 2 500 r/min.
Also, overzealous prodding of the throttle will only result in ridiculous fuel consumption. For the record, on the launch route, we managed an average of 9.2 L/100 km, including some enthusiastic driving on stretches of tarmac that invited it and a gravel road detour toward Grabouw.
Verdict
I’ll be the first to admit that I was sceptical when I learned that Ford was launching a Platinum version of the Ranger, but seeing it in motion on the coastal road of the Western Cape, I remembered that South African motorists are very image-conscious, and this bakkie makes a bold statement. Will it manage off the beaten track? Well, it’s got low range and a rear diff-lock, so it’s capable of some rough stuff, but I doubt that owners will be keen to scuff up their 21-inch alloys and basecoat paint.
The Ranger Platinum will no doubt be seen en route to Harties towing the family boat or a pair of jet skis, or his and hers kayaks along with associated adventure gear. My statement is backed up by the sophisticated towing technology that Ford kitted the Ranger Platinum out with. Such as the towing assistant that can be controlled by the drive select dial like a miniature steering wheel while the vehicle takes over control of the actual steering with the dimensions of the trailer or caravan in mind.
Is it the ultimate towing vehicle in South Africa? Probably, and we can’t wait to put these features to work in an upcoming road test.
