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 Stormtrak

With Ford revealing to the world the next-gen Ranger and the Ranger Raptor, everyone is waiting impatiently for the local launch dates but while we still have some time before the next generation of one of the countries most loved bakkies, we still have some great models of the current range on offer. As per the norm with most out going models, brands tend to start releasing some special edition models to lure customers to take advantage of the model before the stops production for the new model. The Ranger Stormtrak has been released to do just that, while it was launched towards the end of last year, I recently got to spend some time with this rather impressive double cab bakkie and here's how it went.

DESIGN

The Stormtrak follows the lines of the range topping variants in the Ranger stable, such as the Wildtrak and Thunder with an aggressive look that is achieved with a blacked out front grille and door handles, posh side skirting, large black 18-inch rims and very sporty livery with the Stormtrak badge large and embossed on the front doors and tail gate. Other design elements include some coloured vents in the grille and black mud guard fitting on the front bumper. Finished off in a nice metallic Rapid Red colour the Stormtrak really did stand out from the rest and was quite the attention stealer. The car has a lot of presence so it demands attention, both on the road and when parked. Looking at the interior, not much has changed in terms of design but the finishes have been spruced up to give it a different look and feel to the normal Ranger line up. Red stitching  adorns the dash and steering wheel to give it that premium yet sporty guise, there's a good mixture of leather and suede in the cabin, again adding to the sporty nature of the car. Stormtrak insignia has been stitched into the front seats. Other noticeable additions include the Ranger name plate on the side skirts and Stormtrak name badge on the passenger side of the dash. 

PERFORMANCE

The Ranger Stormtrak is powered by Ford's latest 2.0L BiTurbo motor from their engine line up, it's probably my favourite engine from their offering with it producing 157kW and 500Nm of torque from the smallest displacement motor in the line-up. This is assisted massively by the 10-speed Automatic gearbox which is a married made in heaven with this motor. It would have been fun to have paddle-shift as well but then again, I'm the same guy that said its an overkill in a competitors model which had it. The Ranger's ability on the road needs no re-introduction as it's sublime on tarred surfaces but it really comes alive on the dirt roads. I had the opportunity to do some exploring with the Ranger Stormtrak on the outskirts of Northern KZN, taking the roads less travelled through picturesque escarpments at some hairy heights. While my passengers were left aghast at some of the conditions, I was quite comfortable behind the wheel of the Ranger Stormtrak, knowing exactly what this vehicle is capable off and it handled every hurdle with ease. The Ranger off-road system is one of the easiest to operate and even a novice can figure it out. 

COMFORT

While this is a double cab bakkie, the cabin is quite spacious with enough room to seat four adults comfortably. The driver and front passenger get dual-zone climate control and seat heating, the rear passengers get single zone climate control which is controlled by the front passenger. The seats are very comfortable, with extra padding to ease out the bumps you'll experience when traveling off-road. The car comes with the lastest Ford SYNC 3 interface which has built-in mobile apps with 3x US ports for connectivity, Bluetooth, which is displayed on an 8-inch colour TFT screen. The car is equipped with a 6-speaker system that is pretty decent for a van.  Other handy standard features include active park assist for parallel parking as this vehicle is quite big. PDC sensors in the front and back plus a rear camera. LED Headlamps with daytime running lamps, side steps, roof rails and one which I really like is the automated tail-gate cover which is remote controlled. Sateywise, the Ranger Stormtrak comes with Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assit with pedestrian detection, Distance Alert, Autonomous emergency braking, Lane Keep Alert System and Auto High Beam Control. 

VERDICT

Overall, the Ranger Stormtrak really is the complete package when it comes to your luxury double cab offering. While the price may be an eyebrow raiser, seeing the list of equipment that comes standard might just give you some understanding behind it. Even with the next Gen Ranger due sometime this year, there will still be a market for this model, seeing that with increase in pricing for just about everything, this model might suit the pocket for many who can't justify spending their money on the newer model. It really is a well put-together bakkie and one can easily see why it's giving SA's number 1 selling bakkie, the Hilux such a hard time in the market since its introduction. The Stormtrak is a well rounded package which looks the part and in my opinion doesn't need any extra cosmetic modifications like what most owners are doing on the market. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L BiTurbo
Gear Box	10-sepeed automatic
Power	157kW
Torque	500Nm
Top Speed	210km
Price	R855,200

 

Bucket Seat: Ford Ranger Thunder

Ford's Ranger has really been a breath of fresh air to the market which was largely dominated by Toyota's Hilux. The sales speak for themselves and the Ranger proved to be more than just "healthy competition" to the Hilux as in most months it outsold it! One of the key differentiators for Ford was the variety offered in the Ranger line-up and also making their double cabs more passenger friendly, which persuaded many who would look to an SUV, now looking at getting a bakkie instead. While at first glance, it would not seem like the most practical passenger vehicle around but I tell you what, after spending a week with it, it makes a good fighting case as you will soon learn. The new Ranger Thunder is currently a special edition Ranger and the range topping variant the Wildtrak is still available but for me, Ford have really thought out of the box to enhance the appeal for this bakkie over that of the Wildtrak. 

DESIGN

While the overall design of the Ranger remains the same, the Thunder has some great design tweaks to really make it stand out from the crowd. Ford say they made it as bold as a lightening strike in a storm and they're not wrong, with anew black mesh grille, unique multi-spoke 18" black rims and red racing detailing with accent coming through in the grille and signage on the side of the van. Other stand out design enhancements are the powder coated black roof rails, the awesome designed race sports bar with red detailing, black molded side-steps which are both functional and give the bakkie are more wider stance and lastly the 3D Thunder signage on the side and the back with red inlays. I was a bit disappointed to get a white Thunder as the launch colour is black, from the press images you can see why the Black looks so much more intimidating but when you're next to the bakkie, any colour will do it justice, that's the lengths that Ford has gone with these little elements that make this look so great. Even on the interior, the full ebony style interior has breaks with high-gloss plastics and red stitching, having that racing inspired look come through. 

PERFORMANCE

Offered in two engines, the old 3.2L TDCi or the new 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine in both 4x2 and 4x4 models, the Thunder can be customised to what you want. The model I had featured the new 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine which I prefer, its paired with a 10-Speed automatic gearbox which assist the engine in leaps and bounds, both on the road and off-road. Performance figures are actually more than the 3.2L, as this particular engine churns out 157kW and 500Nm of torque, that is 10kW more than the old Wildtrak engine. The car feels solid on the road and unlike the older 6-speed automatic gearbox, it doesn't find itself hunting for gears when faced with an obstacle. The Thunder just breezes through any situation and with the extra 4 gears, this helps a lot to lower the consumption. The four-wheel drive system also assists in this aspect on the road as well, transferring equal power to all four-wheels, easing to carry the load of this monster. 

COMFORT

Now, coming back to using a double cab bakkie as a passenger vehicle, is the Thunder a practical option? Well, the answer, as much as it bugs me a lot because I'm not the greatest fans of bakkies is yes. Ford have really ensured that all creature comforts that you would find in a normal passenger car was fitted into the Ranger Thunder. It features all-new leather seats for both front and rear passengers, it comes with red stitching to make it look bolder. The driver and front passenger get to enjoy heated seats as well as dual-zone climate control. The Ranger Thunder is equipped with an 8" TFT touch screen with Ford Sync 3 preloaded. This has Bluetooth connectivity as well as mobile applications such as Android Auto and Car Play. There is plenty of USB ports available in the front for charging or for phone connectivity. The driver instrument cluster also features two 4x2 TFT screens which alternate vehicle information as well as entertainment and navigation info, all controlled by the multi-control steering wheel which is also covered in that neat new leather and has the red stitching. On the road, the ride is pretty comfortable on the Ranger Thunder, even with the big wheels and rims, its a smooth and quiet journey while you're in the cabin. 

VERDICT

Overall I've been impressed with the Ranger Thunder, while it may look like a bakkie, it has so much going for it that makes you feel comfortable no matter what environment you're in. The loading bay is nice and spacious and has a bed divider in the loading box so you can separate your cargo and to ensure it doesn't get affected by the elements, it has a sealed roller shutter door which is lockable. The Ranger Thunder is a stylish yet practical bakkie, one which definitely has people turning heads and while there is many after market kits you can buy and add on to your Ranger now, I recommend keeping this one stock standard if you getting one. I mean it already looks so damn great, why would you want to go spoil all the hard work the men and woman at Ford have gone through to make yours looking like a freak of nature? You can't see me right now but I'm eating my humble pie, yes I am finally admitting you can use a bakkie as a passenger mode of transport but not just any bakkie, it has to be a Ranger Thunder!

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	10-Speed Automatic
Torque	157Nm
Power	500Nm
Cylinders	4
Price	R830,900