- Ford announces new limited edition Ranger to coincide with second year of Odyssey challenge
- Off-roading accessories bring even more rough-and-tumble appeal
- Odyssey model based on mine-hardened Ranger XL-Plus
PRETORIA, South Africa, 14 August 2014 – To coincide with the 2014 Ranger Odyssey offroad challenge, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has unveiled a new, limited edition version of the locally-built Ranger that will be available from mid-August until the end of September 2014.
The inaugural Ranger Odyssey challenge in 2013 saw ten finalists setting up camp and driving in some of Africa’s most gruelling environments. Contestants embarked on an action-packed cross-continent adventure, with only the toughest progressing to the final rounds.
“We set out to find the hardiest contestants to take on Africa’s most demanding conditions,” says Gavin Golightly, marketing manager at FMCSA. “We wanted a personality that was as tough as the Ranger itself.”
In September, this year’s Ranger Odyssey competitors will get to experience the most testing terrain that Namibia has to offer over 12 days, 13 stages, and 2,500 kilometres. One team of two people will each win the opportunity to drive an Odyssey Ranger vehicle for a year, along with a R5,000/month fuel allowance.
To offer Ranger fans the opportunity of having their own ‘odysseys’, Ford has built the limited edition Odyssey Ranger. This double-cab, off-road-ready version of Ford’s popular bakkie will be fitted, as standard, with an accessory pack that includes a snorkel, allowing drivers to cross deeper bodies of water without endangering the engine, as well as a steel bullbar to protect the front end of the vehicle, and a diff guard to protect its running gear.
“This year the general public will get a chance to drive their own Odyssey Ranger,” says Golightly. “We’ve taken the toughest Ranger on offer – the XL-Plus, built to withstand punishing mining environments – and given it a bushveld makeover.”
Other extras fitted to the Odyssey Ranger also include a rubberised load box to deal with the most gruelling demands, and black 17-inch alloy wheels that complement the vehicle’s tough appearance.
The Odyssey Ranger is based on the mine-hardened XL-Plus model, recently unveiled by FMCSA at the Go Further event in Johannesburg. In addition to the off-road accessories buyers will also benefit from the uprated components and heavy-duty design implemented in the XL- Plus. Improvements here include a corrosion-treated, uprated frame that allows for a 3,500kg towing capacity; front drive shaft joints designed to cope with extreme mud environments; and stone protection for the rear suspension.
Power is provided by the 2.2-litre Duratorq engine built at the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth. It produces 110kW at 3,700rpm, and 375Nm between 1,500 and 2,500rpm. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, a locking rear differential, as well as a transfer case offering high- and low-range four-wheel drive, this limited edition Ranger will be able to conquer the tough roads that competitors will encounter in the Odyssey competition.
Pricing for the double cab model, including the Odyssey accessory pack, is recommended at R415 750.00 including VAT.
All Ranger derivatives come with a comprehensive 4-year / 120 000km warranty and a 5-year / 90 000kms service plan with service intervals of 15 000kms. Customers will also benefit from 3-years of roadside assistance and a 5-year corrosion warranty as part of the Ford Ranger package.
