The Ford Ranger Thunder: Customised styling and bi-turbo engine

The 2020 Ford Ranger offers a perfect blend of style, comfort, power, and off-road prowess. The wide range of cab layouts and engines makes choosing one over the other very tough. However, we believe the newly introduced 2020 Ford Ranger Thunder is one of the best variants in the line-up.

The 2020 Ford Ranger Thunder is a modified version of the WildTrak that comes with lots of visual updates such as new grille with red detail, black exterior detailing, 3D Thunder lettering, black alloy wheels, leather seats with interior red stitching, black mountain top roller shutter, a bed-divider in the load box, and sports hoop with red inserts. 

The Ford Thunder is available in a 3.2L TDCI or a 2.0L Bi-Turbo paired with a 6-speed auto for the non-turbo and a 10-speed automatic for the turbo engine, and you can choose between a two-wheel and four-wheel drive. It’s ideal for every driving condition: traffic, highways, and rock-crawling.

Apart from the new Thunder, there are 33 different variants available in the Ranger line-up. The six primary trim levels are Base, XL, XLS, XLT, Wildtrack, and Raptor.

Most of these are available in Single Cab, Super Cab, and Double Cab; however, the WildTrack, Thunder, and Raptor are only accessible in Double Cab.

There are four engine choices, which include:

• 2.2L TDCI 4-Cylinder Diesel with 118kW and 385 Nm of torque
•  3.2L TDCI 5-Cylinder Diesel with 147kW and 470 Nm of torque
• 2.0L Bi-Turbo 4-Cylinder Diesel with 157kW an 500 Nm of torque
• 2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder Diesel with 132kW an 420 Nm of torque

These engines can be matched with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with dual-range gearing. The four-wheel-drive is part-time, which requires you to choose the rear-wheel-drive for gravel and 4WD on loose terrains.

The Ford Ranger Thunder has a SYNC3 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth audio connectivity with voice control, and iPod integration. Other standard facilities include cruise control, air-conditioning, power windows, power-adjusted external mirrors, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, an ‘easy-lift’ tailgate, adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat, hill launch assist, electronic stability control, trailer sway control, locking rear differential for all 4WD and High-Rider Ranger trim levels, and a 230-volt inverter. Customers can choose from 13 exterior colours, four of which are reserved for Thunder, namesly Moondust Silver metallic, Absolute Black metallic, Sea Grey metallic, and Frozen White.

The automaker ensures the safety of passengers through standard stability control, six airbags, and reversing camera with parking sensors. The standard active safety suite includes low and high-speed autonomous emergency braking with vehicle and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, a radar-based forward collision alert, a lane-keeping aid and warning, an impairment alert, and automatic high beam control.

The Base 2020 Ford Ranger starts at R323,400 and goes as high as R875,700. The Thunder and Raptor are the two most expensive Ford Ranger models (contact the dealership for exact prices), both highly capable for off-road adventures. However, the Raptor is ideally born to perform featuring a Terrain Management System with six precision modes, limit-breaking suspension, and magnesium paddle shifters. 

With a wide range of body styles, power choices, and more rugged variants, there is a Ranger for every bakkie lover in South Africa. However, the 2020 Ford Thunder is in a class of its own, owing to its aggressive styling, new interior trim, advanced safety tech, and off-road credentials that make it the best pickup truck in the market.

Be sure to visit the Car Reviews section of our blog to find out more about other new automotive releases this year.

Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.ford.co.za