From workhorse to tech marvel: the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab Bakkie excels in every aspect

We’ve had our long term Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab bakkie for a couple of months now and it’s been a trusty workhorse without skipping a beat.

I’ve carted a faulty tumble dryer to the repair shop, saving on the call-out fee, lawnmowers, because the city council has long since given up on service delivery where we live, so veld grass verges need to be cut and thrown a bakkie load of wood on the back with winter creeping up on us.

I’ve also focused on my fuel consumption and, between my partner and I, we've managed to get it down to 9l/100km.

It helps that much of the driving has been done on highways, but for a 2.0-litre Bi-turbo diesel engine with 154kW and 500Nm of torque aided by a 10-speed automatic transmission, that’s not bad for a big bakkie.

Ask Ford self-service

While bakkies of yore were considered primarily as agricultural implements, the new generation of leisure transport is in a completely different class.

This is especially so with the Ford Rangers with driving dynamics closer to a modern SUV, interior creature comforts that hit it out of the park and technology to scare any luddite.

One of those is the Ask Ford self-service tool that allows you to ask a question 24 hours a day and is then retrieved and answered from Ford systems, owners' manuals or Ford websites. It uses the repository’s AI technology to search for the best responses.

Ask Ford self-service is integrated with the Ford Pass app, incorporating an embedded factory-fitted modem that enables certain functions of the car to be performed from your phone.

Ford Pass app

Owners can access useful information such as odometer reading, fuel level and distance to empty, as well as tyre pressures on vehicles fitted with the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

It is free to download from the App Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android. The pairing process is completely secure and can only be completed simultaneously via the owner’s smartphone using the vehicle’s SYNC infotainment screen, and multiple owners can be added.  

Owners can remotely lock and unlock the doors, or start the engine (automatic derivatives only) immediately or at a scheduled time to activate the climate control system.

The system automatically locks the car’s doors if the engine is started via the app, and the car can only be driven when the ignition key or proximity key is used.

In the case of attempted theft, the vehicle’s alarm will be activated, and the engine will shut down. 

It also allows the owner to pinpoint the vehicle’s location anywhere in the country.

It’s a very handy tool, and while I haven’t used most of the functions, I have amused some children with the remote start function and booked a service via the app.

Ask Ford has specific channels designed to support Ford dealers and FMCSA’s national Customer Relationship Centre staff, assisting them in obtaining the most up-to-date and precise information related to specific queries.

Ask Ford relies on three main tools that assist in finding the information. Firstly, Ford’s comprehensive knowledge repository is searched for the most accurate response.

Should the question not be answered from the knowledge repository it will obtain information from the owner’s manual and finally, the system will use the web crawler function through all official Ford sites.

When used together, the key features of the FordPass app and FordPass Connect include command and control functionality, key vehicle information, online resources and links to emergency roadside assistance.

Even a decade ago, this would have sounded like voodoo, so you can only imagine where we’ll be 10 years from now!