JIMS 2011: FORD BRINGS OUT BIG GUNS RANGER AND FOCUS ST

Ford seems to relish the Johannesburg International Motor Show. At the last event three years ago they showed us one of the stars of the show, the revived GT 40. At JIMS 2011 Ford again wowed the audience when taking the covers off, wait for it, the all-new Ranger bakkie (pickup). Massive in size, good in looks, and apparently quite rugged, the Ranger looks set to offer a serious segment challenger.

Ford SA will build the Ranger right here in Silverton in Tshwane, keep some of the units and export the rest to a global customer base in 148 countries. The vehicle is said to be as dynamic as it is powerful. We got to sit in it, and felt like we were sitting inside a Focus. Wait for our launch report early next month.

Of course JIMS was also the place where Focus ST made his appearance. The hot hatch makes good of a 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine to deliver 184kW to the front wheels, via a 6-speed manual gearbox. It promises to be the perfect antidote to the usual salad of bratwurst and frog’s legs.

Also presented was the Kuga, unfortunately in its old look. A new facelift is almost on sale in Europe. Not sure which version Mzansi is getting though. The Kuga is a mid-size SUV (by SA standards) that will rough it out with the likes of Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35.