To V6 or not to V6, that’s the question
IS BIG BETTER? NO, RATHER GO FOR FORD EVEREST XLT
Model’s Wildtrak V6 a monster, but tough to tell difference in real life.
I’ve often thought the manne who buy massive “trucks”, do so as a way of compensating for a lack of bulk in other, hidden areas.
True, it is the Americans with their rugged, outdoor “cowboy” image who are the mast masters of this … but our okes here have certainly adopted the “big is better” philosophy as bakkies continue to grow in size.
A corollary of that mantra can also be seen in the engines in some bakkies in our market.
It used to be that bakkies, before they became fashion accessories for the wannabe-Camel men, came equipped with four-cylinder motors – some petrol but mostly turbodiesel.
Granted, there were occasional V6 petrol lumps under the bonnets of models like the Nissan Navara, but inline diesels dominated.
Then along came Volkswagen a few years ago, with its 190kW 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel from the VW group parts bin.
The engine – one of the better diesels the group produced – also did duty in models from the Porsche Panamera to various Audis.
Put in the front of the Amarok (the previous model), the V6 definitely won the bragging rights when it came to out-andout acceleration, putting all of its four-cylinder rivals to shame.
These days, the Amarok is a mere clone of the Ford Ranger and uses Ford’s 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, which is assembled in the Eastern Cape.
The 184kW motor is found in the upper ranks of the Ranger range and the top models of Ford’s Everest.
And, that brings me to the debate I’ve been having with myself, having driven both an Everest Wildtrak V6 and our longterm Everest XLT back to back.
“To V6 or not to V6?” Hamlet may well have asked had he been one of the manne and not merely the Prince of Denmark.
Our long-term Everest XLT has the four-cylinder 2.0-litre biturbo diesel engine, which puts out 154kW.
All the four-cylinder Everest models these days are fitted with this engine. The previous model could be bought with a single-turbo 132kW engine, which was more than adequate, but that’s another story.
The V6 has 184kW and 600Nm of torque, which makes it a clear winner in the grunt stakes over the bi-turbo.
But, what’s the point?
In most circumstances – other than drag strip acceleration – an ordinary driver would be hard pushed to see much difference between the four and six-cylinder motors.
Sure, the V6 has nice shove in the back when it comes to overtaking, but the four-cylinder is no slouch there, either.
The V6 in Wildtrak and Limited spec also has nice goodies to go with it – but, again: what’s the big deal? The four-cylinder, with its fancy touchscreen and comprehensive equipment has everything you’d need.
And there would not be much to choose between the two offroad, because both 4x4 versions have Ford’s excellent package which includes low-range, diff lock and, best of all, clever electronic programmes which take all the guesswork out of going off-road.
The V6, although muted when used normally, does have a seductive growl when revved hard, but you pay for that at the fuel pumps with consumption about 20% higher than that of the four-cylinder models.
And, here’s the reality: no matter which engine you choose, the Everest (and its Ranger sibling) is not a performance machine.
Even thrashing the V6 will still see you losing to a small turbocharged hot hatch, and once you get up to illegal speeds in a big, high vehicle like an Everest, you’re asking for trouble if something goes wrong.
The V6 in the Ranger and
Everest is an excellent engine – no doubt about that. But, given what the vehicles are going to need in their primary role, one would have to say it’s overkill. Unless, of course, your company picks up the fuel tab.
Both versions of the Everest are excellent cruisers in the city and at the national speed limit on the highway.
In that mode, there is very little difference in performance.
So, save yourself a bit of money and go the four-cylinder route.
Because, even if you do get the V6, you’ll always been looking over your shoulder, reminded there are people out there buying the outrageous Ford Ranger Raptor, whose petrol twin-turbo V6 pushes out 292kW and is the very definition of automotive insanity.
The Everest is not a performance machine