European customers in the market for a sporty take
on the Ford Ranger, but not in need of the full-on Raptor performance model,
may want to check out the new Wildtrak X.
Following the success of the previous Black Edition,
Ford rolled out its latest special-edition Ranger at the Commercial Vehicle
show in Birgmingham. It offers Performance Blue metallic paint, black trim, and
an enhanced interior.
To go with that optional paintjob, Dearborn has
blacked out the grille, sport bar, roof rails, side steps, and alloy wheels. It
also gets special Wildtrak graphics and a black roll-and-lock bed cover. The
interior of Europe’s best-selling pickup also gains black leather seats with
grey stitching.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X will only come in Double
Cab configuration with the 3.2-liter diesel. The engine kicks out 200 ps and comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel
drive. That’s almost as much muscle as the Raptor, but without the rest of the
off-road goodies that come with it. The order books are already open, with
deliveries set to commence in August.
Ford first introduced the current T6-generation
Ranger in Australia back in 2010. It builds the truck at assembly plants in
Argentina, Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand. The North American version is
being produced in Michigan to slot in underneath the F-150 that remains the
best-selling truck in America.
With the Ranger’s return to the United States, Ford
hopes to attract customers who’d otherwise look at the Chevy Colorado/GMC
Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, or Nissan Frontier.
