Ford readies its Rangers for Dakar
Ford has officially announced its entry into the upcoming Dakar Rally. And it's a pretty simple formula: dropping a V8 Mustang engine into its Ranger pick-up.
A two-Ranger strong team has been confirmed as the Ford team for Dakar. The two Rangers have been readied by Pietermaritzburg (South Africa)-based Neil Woolridge Motorsport and the logistics are being taken care of by German-based South Racing.
The two T6 Ranger 4x4 Double Cab vehicles are powered by the Mustang's V8 5.0-liter engine that churns out 349PS and 560Nm at around 4000 rpm. They get full-composite bodies and Sadev six-speed sequential gearboxes to go with their four-wheel drive setup. Independent front and rear suspensions, front and rear anti-roll bars and Michelin tyres on 16-inch Evocorse wheels kit out the custom Dakar Rangers. Controlling the beasts is Brembo's front air-cooled and rear water-cooled brakes. The 2014 Dakar Ranger weighs 1,975 kg and can reach a top speed of 170kmph.
The annual Dakar Rally, which now runs from Argentina to Chile, covers more than 8000 kms and is one of the toughest and most widely spoken-off inter-continental rallies. Last year's affair had 745 competitors, from 53 nationalities. It will take place from January 5-18, 2014.
"We are extremely proud to be sending these South African-built Rangers to the 2014 Dakar. Dakar is the ultimate test of man and machine and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate with a phenomenal team comprised of local and global expertise," said Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO, Ford (South Africa).