Bucket Seat: Ford Ranger Tremor

Another day and another Ford Ranger derivative, the guys at Ford SA do love to tinker with their line-up but I don't think its a bad thing as they really making a Ranger for everyone just depending on what you want it for. The Tremor is one of the more buff looking Rangers in the stable once you get to the nuts and bolts of it all, you realise it borrows the best bits from all the other Ranger offerings and packaged into one complete offering that is a good mix between hardcore off-roading and a versatile double cab bakkie with loads of tech. 

DESIGN

Just like any other Ranger, the Tremor's main feature is the front end with its menacing honeycomb radiator grille that is blacked out with the Ford badge in center accompanied by the distinct C-clamp headlights either side. The Aluminium bash plate isn't just there to compliment the looks but also serves a purpose since this is a fully fledged 4x4. Like mentioned before, it does stand taller than most, thanks to the Bilsten suspension which is borrowed from the Wildtrak X, which increases the ride height by 24mm, it's also 30mm wider than the normal Rangers and has the cast aluminium steps borrowed from the Ranger Raptor to thank for that. Massive General Grabber A/T tyres complete the rugged 4x4 look that gives the Tremor a more aggressive stance. On the inside, the Tremor has the massive touchscreen infotainment screen as the focal point but the immediate difference is noticeable on the floor with virtually the entire tub and seats being finished off in vinyl giving the Tremor a more hardcore, durable surface to clean. The long legged sportsbar in the bin finishes off the look for the Tremor and really add's to the no nonsense style of it all. 

PERFORMANCE

Under the hood, you will find Ford's impressive 2.0L BiTurbo diesel engine that delivers 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque, this all mated to the 10-speed automatic gearbox makes for a power house on the dirt. With the Tremor having AWD - Full time 4-wheel drive system you really get to experience the power of this engine when going in the dirt. The AT3 tyres assist in the fun of it all and the various pre-programmed driving modes make it simple enough for even a novice to navigate tricky conditions on the roads less traveled. On normal roads the Tremor handles like a breeze, one would have thought with the big tyres and high suspension the cabin would be filled with unwanted road noise and it being all over the place but its very composed even at high-speeds on the highway. Handling isn't too bad either and it's everything you'd expect from a bakkie of this nature, could be down to the setup of the shocks and driving modes but the Tremor knows it's surroundings and performs great wherever it goes. 

COMFORT

The interior ain't no Ranger Platinum contender but it's minimalist to a point where all the materials used are robust and easy to clean but the Tremor still comes with all the technology bells and whistles which is what I'm here for. With the 12-inch colour touchscreen infotainment center dominating the cabin with FORD SYNC4 and all mobile apps pre-loaded for wireless usage, it makes it the command center for this beast. The instrument cluster is the standard 8-inch digital display which the driver can navigate through the various car and driving info from the multi control steering wheel. Like all the other Rangers, the Tremor comes with 6 auxiliary switches for additional add-ons and dual-zone climate control for those ever changing conditions when venturing into the great unknowns. The Tremor seats are finished off in vinyl with Tremor name stitched into the driver and front passenger seats, the tub is also vinyl coated for easy cleaning when messed, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if you could take a hose to the floor of the Tremor. Overall, with the driving comfort and what you get in the cabin, the Tremor is not a bad place to be for a work horse/ activity bakkie. The load box comes with the normal goodies which include as a 12V power outlet. The tremor also comes with a 4-camera system with surround view and multi-view ensuring you have eyes all around the car at any given time. 

VERDICT

I think I hit the nail on the head in my previous description of the Tremor, it is an activity bakkie, designed for those that have a sense of adventure but don't want the big V6 of the Raptor. It has the best bits from most of the Ranger line up and with that, it doesn't cross the million rand mark so makes it an appealing option for those that want an adventure bakkie but at a little less than a fortune. I wouldn't go as far as saying its a baby Raptor because the Raptor name badge deserves a lot more credit than that but Ford has given us something very worthwhile and not just another Ranger derivative with a different name badge as this one is unique in every possible way. I like the fact that they gave it almost all the tech you can get from the Ranger range so that it is properly equipped for off-roading. The only thing missing is the e-shifter but in my opinion this one doesn't need it as the current 10-speed automatic does just fine. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L BiTurbo Diesel
Gear Box	10-speed automatic
Torque	500Nm
Power	154kW
Towing capacity	3500kg
Price	R978,600

 

Bucket Seat: Ford Ranger Platinum

The words "luxury" and "bakkie" should never be mentioned in the same sentence, a bakkie is meant to be rugged and tough, something that gets messy and have a multitude of uses but none of that includes princess treatment for its occupants. But here I am, about to tell you about a double cab bakkie that is rugged, that is built tough, can take on just about any challenge but all the while, keeping its occupants in complete luxury with premium finishes and technology galore. Which bakkie can offer this? Well the range topping Ford Ranger Platinum of course! Yes, Ford South Africa have decided to extend the Platinum name plate onto the Ranger and with it, comes all the bells and whistles that we've come accustomed to with the Everest Platinum. During my time with the bakkie, I drove into one of the more elite estates in Durban and the Ranger felt at home, hence I dubbed it "The Estate Bakkie", I think it could catch, anyway, lets get into the crux of it. 

DESIGN

While the design of the Ranger is pretty much standard over the range, each trim is characterized by the exterior features, that make a massive difference in terms of overall aesthetics. Don't believe me? Look at a base Ranger without the Matrix LED headlamps, ya, thought so. Just looking at this Ranger Platinum, gives you a feel that it is special and sets itself apart from the others, it's almost like that meme of that guy from the 1700's looking down upon you. It's so fancy that even the name of the colour palates are fancy, my test car was finished off in "Agate Black" and yes, it didn't look like an a normal black as it stood there glistening in the sun light. The Ranger Platinum has a host of shiny details that give that premium look from the outside with its main eye catcher being the Platinum grille with chrome surround, other noteworthy details are the Matrix LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, LED front fog lamps, colour coded door handles, side steps, mud flaps for both the front and rear. While we at the rear, the rear bumper is accent coloured as well. The load box or bin as we call it has a nice finish and as an added extra you could have an automated roller cover. Added to the looks department is a classy rear sports bar with sports hoop and chrome roof rails.  The Ranger Platinum sits on massive Goodyear Wrangler tyres which have 20" diamond cut alloys inside them, very attractive looking rims for an attractive looking car. Now, like the Everest, there are a number of Platinum badges around the car to make it known this is a Platinum model, if you follow me on TikTok, you can view the video on the official count on this one and see how it compares to the Everest. 

PERFORMANCE

Powering the Ranger Platinum is the same V6 turbocharged 3.0L V6 diesel engine that I had in the Everest Wildtrak earlier this year. While the performance figures are the same, with it delivering 184kW and 600Nm of torque, the output does feel a bit more composed in the Platinum, not sure if it has anything to do with the suspension of the comfy seats. It has the same 10-speed automatic gearbox with e-shifter and rear wheel driven with optional 4WD and low-range for rough terrain. On the road feel, its a lot more sturdy than other Rangers I've driven, doesn't feel bouncy when doing high speeds and overall a very smooth ride. It is a nice looking car with nice features so I didn't really want to take it off-road and get it dirty but hey, I am doing a test on it so I treated it to some light gravel venturing in the cane fields and boy did it eat it up like a charm. That V6 just comes alive when you hand it a challenge, the driving modes are easily selectable from the jog shuttle control behind the gear selector, where you can choose one of seven, yes it has seven driving modes, namely Normal, Eco, Tow, Slippery, Mud, Sand and Rock Crawl. Then there is the off-road controls which you can control the diff lock, traction and select your high and low gears as well as engaging four wheel drive. Most off these though are pre-programmed into the driving modes, so if for example you're doing rock crawl, the 4-wheel low range would be engaged along with it, so even as a novice you could easily navigate most obstacles that come your way with the car. Ford claim a 10.1L per 100km fuel consumption with the Ranger Platinum, but with me having just 7 days with it, and a V6 in front of me, it's safe to say I didn't really achieve that figure. 

COMFORT

It's not like the Ranger Platinum doesn't shine in other departments but this is where it shines the most, on the interior. I mean, quilted leather seats with heating and ventilated, along with steering wheel heating, in a bakkie? Come on man! It almost feels as if you're stepping into one of those off-roaders form the UK that's name is very close to Ranger. Choice of materials used in the cabin are very premium, even the fake dark wood trim on the dash looks believable and not like a cheap plastic knock off. There's ambient lighting to illuminate the cabin at night, though I don't know if you can choose the colour on this as I couldn't find any settings on the SYNC menu. The digital cluster is different from the other Rangers as it features the 12.4-inch screen which only the Ranger Raptor has. This screen is fully configurable via controls from the multi-function steering wheel which are easy to use even when driving. Focal point in the cabin is the 12-inch iPad style multi-function touch screen infotainment center. The UI from FORD SYNCE 4 is pretty neat with the ability to give you option to display your mobile apps wirelessly but still have native controls present for easy access to the vehicles data when needed. There is even controls for your climate control on the screen should you wish to use that instead of the analog controls located below it. It is dual zone climate control with vents in the second row for the rear passengers, the front seats are electronically adjustable and the Matrix LED head lights are adaptive. There is a wireless charging pad as well as USB Type C ports for charging devices. There are 12V power points in the center storage and back with the bin featuring one as well as a 3-pin Euro plug. The auxiliary switch bank is located just behind the sunglasses case on the roof and can accommodate up to 6 additions. The sound system is a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system which provides the perfect quality for any type of music. 

TECH & SAFETY

With a car like this, safety is a paramount with the Ranger Platinum having dual front, front side, curtain, driver far side and driver and passenger knee airbags. For the road it comes with dynamic stability control which incorporates ABS, load adaptive control which assesses the weight of the load to manage the roll over mitigation, if you're towing something, it has trailer sway control to make sure whatever you're towing stays in line with the vehicle, by the way the maximum towing capacity of the Ranger Platinum is 3500kgs. The Ranger Platinum comes with 360 camera views with 4 cameras that project multiple views to assist you with everything, there is even an additional camera port should whatever you're towing have a camera too. Key driving aids include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane assist and evasive steer assist to avoid collisions. It even has post collision braking which stops the car after impact should the drive be unconscious at the wheel. A handy feature for a big car like this is active park assist 2.0 which is fully autonomous and can parallel and alley dock your car with perfection making use of the PDC's. There's loads more which you can read about in the brochure but I think I covered the important ones. 

VERDICT

I know I joked about the Ranger having 20 odd derivatives in my Ford Puma review, but with it being made locally, it really was an opportunity for Ford South Africa to showcase what they can do and make it known there is a Ranger for everybody, even if you're living on a fancy high-end estate and just want to look cool for your neighbors. The Ranger Platinum has a steep price tag but if you really go through what you're getting, you will soon find there is no other brand that can offer you all of this in a bakkie, apart from it's twin that is made in the same factory as this but it does come at a higher cost. The trend in motoring is a weird one as we see the shift from sedans and hatches to crossovers, SUV's and bakkies. I was never really an advocate for bakkies being a family type vehicle simply because they were big, didn't offer the same level of comfort and were a hassle to park. I also felt that most people who bought them, rarely used them for the purpose they were made for but clearly my thinking was short sighted as sales still continued to rise and demand for something like this became more relevant. I'm glad that Ford has heeded their call as this is a masterful example of what can be made. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0L Turbocharged V6 Diesel
Gear Box	10-speed automatic
Torque	600Nm
Power	184kW
Fuel Consumption	10.1L per 100km
Price	R1,120,100*

*base price

 

 

Bucket Seat: Ford Everest Wildtrak

The Ford Everest now in its 3rd generation see's for the first time having a Wildtrak derivative. The Ford Everest Wildtrak offers a range of features that enhance its styling, interior, infotainment, safety, technology, comfort, and practicality. These extras make it a more premium and capable SUV, than the entry level Everest. Having driven the range topping Platinum model, I was keen to get behind the wheel of this mid level variant from the brand to see how much it differed in terms of performance and ride quality as both, the Wildtrak and Platinum come powered with the same 3.0L V6 power train. Having spent a week with it, doing the daily routes I had the chance to take it away for the weekend on some light country side exploring to get a better feel of what the car had to offer and here are my thoughts on how it handled itself. 

DESIGN

The design of the Everest is brilliant in my opinion, sticking true to its American routes, the massive frame its built on gives the car the presence it commands whether it be on the road or in the wild, this particular model, the Wildtrak offers some unique design characteristics that make it stand out from the other models in the stable, starting with the styling: 20-inch ‘Asphalt Matt Black’ alloy wheels keep the massive body up complimented by black wheel arch flares, black window trim, and Wildtrak badging and branding in black around the car. The dark colours contrasted well with the body colour of Arctic White which the one I had came in. The front of the car is really menacing with the wide grilled that integrates into the C-Clamp headlamps that follow the cars lines that lead to the cabin. The car is very box like in statue and the straight lines keep that theme going till the back. I'm a big fan of the rear light design which runs across the tailgate and has the Everest name badge in the center. My one grip would have to be the tow bar, it's a fixed one that can be removed manually and I understand the reasoning for it as it has a higher towing capacity but I would have really liked an automatic option which stows it away, especially for this and the Platinum models. Not only would help with the looks but also helps with parking it. On the interior, we have a full Ebony leather upholstery with Cyber Orange stitching, panoramic sunroof, , interior ambient lighting, which cannot change colour, unless I have no idea how to find the setting, but pretty much stock standard Everest interior. 

PERFORMANCE

As mentioned before, the Everest Wildtrak is powered by the same  3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine that is found in its Ranger sibling and the range topping Platinum models, this motor delivers a Power and Torque ratio of 184 kW of power and 600 Nm of torque which is coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission. With the various driving modes available on the Everest, namely Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud & Ruts, and Sand which is all controlled via a jog shuttle dial in the center consol, it makes going from tar roads to gravel quite simple by flicking it in the appropriate setting and the car does everything for you. Ford claimed fuel consumption is 8.5 L/100km which could be achieved on long distance travels but realistically my range was hovering around the 10.6L mark which seemed fair for a big engine like this. As mentioned, that ugly tow bar is there for a reason giving the Everest a towing capacity of 3 500 kg braked, which is a lot more than some of its rivals. The driving dynamics of the Ford Everest Wildtrak with it's V6 is a gutsy unit, consistently delivering sustained power and torque at low and high speeds. It’s torquey and plenty of its 600Nm is available across a broad rev range. The 10-speed auto transmission has had the previous-gen’s thrashiness between ratios smoothed out – and if you want to take over duties yourself you can do so via the 'e-Shifter' in this 4WD wagon. The suspension set-up – with coil springs at every corner – helps to produce smooth, composed ride and handling although can feel a bit bumpy or bouncy at times.  Off-road, the Everest has a long wheelbase making its undercarriage vulnerable to scraping rocks, tree stumps or exposed tree roots, especially during more technical 4WDing sections.

COMFORT

The cabin of the Everest is narrow but tall and second-row and the seating is a bit squeezy for three adults, especially in terms of hip and shoulder room for larger blokes, but it’d be fine with slighter adults and even gangly teens. The cabin is very quiet, with nothing much intruding in terms of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), other than low-level wind-rush around the wing mirrors. The noise of the turbo diesel engine does come through every now and then when harsh accelleration is present but that is easily drowned out by the 8-speaker premium sound system. Like the Ranger the Everest focal point of the cabin is the  12-inch touchscreen that controls Ford’s powerful SYNC 4A infotainment system. This is the command center of the car and has wireless connectivity to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While in the mobile apps, it is easy to access the Ford menu with shortcuts located to the top right side corner making it easy for the driver to toggle should they wish to change some vehicle settings. The dual zone climate control can be controlled via physical knobs or via the screen as well. The Wildtrak came with heated seats but not cooling like the Platinum. The car is equipped with advanced technology, including keyless entry and start, a raft of media ports around the cabin for charging your various devices and power outlets for coolers or pumps. The seats are comfortable, with faux-leather which covers the steering wheel as well. The digital dash is an 8-inch screen which can display various information via the multi-function steering, which the digital speedometer is cool, I would have like the option for it to display the old analog style speedo. The seven seats make the Everest Wildtrak extremely useful as a people mover, and incredibly spacious when the back seats are folded down which I had it for most of my time on the weekend as away as it was only the 3 of us.  The Wildtrak has a 360-degree surround view camera, which is crucial for safe parking of this hulk. It’s an optional fitment but a very handy one if you ask me. 

VERDICT

The Ford Everest Wildtrak is a comfortable and capable SUV with a luxurious interior, advanced technology, and a smooth and powerful drive. It's a great option added to the line up for someone who is looking for a large family SUV but has a more sporty side to them instead of someone who is looking more on the luxury spectrum of the Platinum. The standard features that come with the Wildtrak along with the styling, make this car quite attractive to the young at heart who love adventure, and in my weekend away at the sea side, it caught the eye of many surfers who were keen to not only check it out but wanted to see how many mates they could fit in for a trip to Mozam. So whether you're a family looking to vacay in the berg for a week, or a troop of surfers looking for the ultimate waves, the Everest is the ideal vehicle for you and whats even better it does the daily quite well too. Yes, the size of it does take getting used to be with the help of the PDC's and cameras, you will soon master parking this thing in the tightest of spots. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0L Turbo Diesel V8
Gear Box	10-speed automatic
Torque	600Nm
Power	184kW
Fuel Consumption	10.3L per 100km
Price	R1,180,200

 

Bucket Seat: Ford Puma

The Ford Puma started its life as a compact coupé back in 1997. Available only in Europe, sales weren’t the greatest and it never really caught on apart from the UK, hence it was retired in 2001. Fast forward to 2019 and the badge was revived by Ford and spawned into a compact crossover. Based on the Ford Fiesta platform, the revived Puma became quite a hit, offering a different take on the crossover from everyone else with it being almost like a raised sporty hatchback. Now I know what you’re thinking, if the Ford Puma was launched in 2019, why the hell did we only get it in 2023? Well, there were a number of factors for this, biggest being Ford South Africa still had a lot of Eco Sports to sell. While there is big difference between the two as I soon found out after testing the Puma, the price point would have had the EcoSport killing its own sibling in the market. So what Ford decide to do? Kill the EcoSport for the sake of the Puma. Will this pay off though? That is the question.

DESIGN

The Ford Puma styling is really top notch, even with it arriving in SA a whole 4 years later it doesn’t seem dated at all because it’s so unique. The sport lines and curves with its bulging headlamps give it that feline look of it ready to pounce. I don’t think there is a bad angle on the particular car and it’s so easily recognisable that I could spot it a mile away in a parking lot. The detail on the front of the car is quite cool, from the chrome border grille to the silver accents on the bottom diffuser. The way the nose is sculptured from the grille up to the pronounce headlights and which then transcend to the windscreen following the curves of the wheel arch really give the car a higher look that what it really is. Everything about it is bold and funky, which adds to the appeal to the youth but as I noticed while spending time with it, it was often the old folk that I would catch staring. The rear is well rounded off with winged tail lights that extend a bit over the side and this particular model being the ST Line, featured a nice rear wing to add to the sporty nature. The bottom diffuser is finished off with more silver accents with borders around the dual tail pipes. The interior follows the standard Ford design guidelines, and I did mention it looked similar to the EcoSport, which wasn’t completely wrong but there are some big differences, biggest being the quality of materials used in the Puma, these are much more high end that the EcoSport.

PERFORMANCE

So how does this 1.0-litre 3 cylinder Ecoboost engine perform in the Puma? Look at the brochure and it will give you the power output of 92kW and 170Nm of torque, not a lot you might think for a car that’s asking price is north of 600K. The big question is how does it drive? Well, I have to be honest it goes rather well, that 7-speed auto gearbox works like a charm in both city driving and on the highway. One must remember this car is made for Europe so the key factors were for small commutes and city driving, it serves those two purposes like a charm. On the open road it can reach a cruising speed of 120km/h without it breaking too much of a sweat and can maintain it on uphills as well. The car feels solid and the ride quality is pretty decent, there’s a big difference between driving this and the Ecosport so one could say that this does deserve its higher price tag. I like taking the car cars through some twistys and the Puma navigated whatever I threw at it rather well with its punchy acceleration and well mannered cornering. With my heavy foot and aggressive driving nature, it did not bode well for the fuel average but Ford claim it can do 5.3L per 100km.

COMFORT

So it’s described as a “compact crossover” but it is still rather spacious. Look, it won’t fit a family of 7 but 4 adults can go along comfortably. I must commend the quality of the seats though, not sure if it’s specific to the ST Line but the quilted leather styling was not only great to look at but extremely comfortable too. There wasn’t a heating function for the seats, and don’t see if it’s available as an extra on the website but it’s not a deal breaker for me. The car does have single zone climate control which was a let down for me, I expected minimum dual zone for it. The Puma comes with a nice 8-inch TFT touch screen with but it still has SYNC 3, because it’s still an old model. This means it has mobile applications built in but your device needs to be plugged in for use. The car came with an impressive 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system that wasn’t listed on the extras sheet so I’m guessing it’s standard. Other notable standard features include keyless entry and push button start, tyre pressure monitoring two USB ports and wireless phone charging tray. Safety features include lane keeping assist, 6 airbags, ABS and cruise control with adjustable speed limiter.

VERDICT

The Ford Puma is a disrupter to the segment, it’s a wild kind of car that is a cross over but could easily pass as a hatchback. There are few things that didn’t sit overly well with me, one was why did Ford decide to bring this model in now when there’s a facelift due very soon and secondly, I know I said the car did warrant to cost more than the EcoSport but it is A LOT more than the EcoSport which makes me wonder of the market would take to it. I got it on test a good 5 months after it was launched and haven’t seen a single one on the roads of Durban but mind you, spending the beginning of the month in Cape Town, I saw quite a few! So I’m guessing it would take some time to see them filter through the various spots but it’s nice to see such a refreshing option in the segment and even better seeing Ford bring something new, other than 20 variants of the Ranger.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.0 -litre turbo, 3 cylinder
Gear Box	7-speed automatic
Torque	170Nm
Power	92kW
Fuel consumption	5.3 liters per 100km
Price	R615,440*

*base price