The new Ford Ranger has claimed top honours at the 2023 South African Car of the Year (SA COTY) awards, with 2023 COTY chairperson Mabuyane Mabuza saying this achievement is a testament to the automomotive industry’s commitment to producing high-quality double-cab bakkies “seamlessly” blending comfort, “cutting-edge” technology and safety with performance.
“Over the past decade, the popularity of SUVs and Double Cabs has skyrocketed at the expense of sedans. Double cab bakkies have become a common choice for everyday commuting, family adventures and various work applications, providing a popular solution for South Africans’ mobility demands,” said Mabuza.
“The Ford Ranger’s triumph represents a milestone for the industry, setting a new benchmark and symbolising a noteworthy accomplishment for one of South Africa’s primary export products. Proudly representing our nation across global markets, this victory showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of South African automotive manufacturers.”
Garth Napier, Managing Director of Old Mutual Insure, the sponser of the SA COTY competition, added: “Well done to the Ford Ranger 4×4 and the category winners of the 2023 COTY contest … We are proud to align with their commitment to excellence and congratulate them on their well-deserved success.”
Locally, the SA-built, new-generation Ranger double cab line-up currently comprises 13 derivatives, available with the choice of three diesel powertrains, with the single, petrol-powered model — the Raptor — spearheading the range, a trio of transmissions and three drivetrains. The engine line-up comprises the Blue Oval brand’s 125 kW/405 Nm 2.0 SiT (available with a six-speed manual and automatic ‘box with the same number of cogs, and in 4×2 and 4×4 guise), a 154 kW/500 Nm 2.0 BiT (exclusively available with the firm’s familiar 10-speed self-shifter, and in 4×2 and 4×4) and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 oil-burner coupled with the latter transmission and 4WD. The range-topping Raptor, which we sampled in Namibia, employs a 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol unit.
As a reminder, the range will soon comprise another model, the Wildtrak X, which, Ford SA has confirmed, will arrive here in the third quarter of 2023. This model features several model-specific, off-road upgrades, and employs the 2.0-litre BiT oil-burner.
