A new special edition of the Ford Ranger is rolling in with the storms and they call it the Thunder. This is a new limited-edition trim option based on the Wildtrak, being offered to the European market. So, sadly we won’t be seeing this bakkie driving on our roads. It’s still a cool bakkie to look at and see if maybe something might come transfer over to the next generation Rangers.
It’s all about the looks with the new Ford Ranger Thunder. 
There are almost no mechanical and cabin changed from the ranger and the exterior is all about style. The Thunder comes in a deep Sea Green and features many red and black highlights. The red highlights show of the new grille that sticks out of the body giving it a 3d effect. The red also makes its way onto a non-functional sports bar for extra style.
Big Thunder branding is on the doors and tailgate with even more Thunder in the darkened front and rear lights. Even more black is used on the 18-inch alloy wheels that come standard and on some of the load box accessories like the roller cover and utility storage box. It’s a dark mean looking machine.
Very little change in the interior. 
One might expect a little more to change on the interior but it’s not bad. With a lot of leather and comfortable seats embroidered with Thunder, it just a little bit more special. The red highlights come back in the stitching on the steering wheel, seats and instrument panel. There are even more red highlights on the sill plates with illuminated Thunder.
The same thunder in every ranger. 
You won’t be hearing another sound from this Thunder as it comes with the very familiar to Ford Ranger engine. A 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine that produces 157 kW and 500 Nm to all four wheels. It too comes with the 10-speed automatic transmission that makes this generation of Ranger so much better than the last.
Only 4500 of these Thunders will be produced and only 1400 will be right-hand drive. So, even if we’re given the option here in South Africa, there would still be very few of them around. Still, it’s nice to see what happens to a Ranger when it goes to the dark side.