Zululand Observer - Monday

Adventurou­s 2024 Ranger Tremor detailed

- Val van der Walt

FORD will be adding two new Ranger derivative­s to the bakkie's local line-up in 2024; the Platinum and the Tremor, and the brand has now released all the details on the latter, bar pricing.

The Ranger is aimed at adventurou­s folks and is set to slot in between the top-spec

XLT 4x4 and the more expensive Wildtrak X, which places it somewhere between R833 800 and R1 013 000.

On the design front, the Tremor can be told apart by its black honeycomb off-road grille, LED auxiliary driving lights and a Bolder Grey colour scheme for the lower bumper trimmings as well as the mirror caps, door handles, fender vents and rear bumper.

Tremor badges and decals are in place too, in case anybody is unsure which Ranger model it is, and like the Wildtrak X, the Ford badges are in black.

Functional exterior features come in the form of a tubular sports bar, aluminium side steps and a steel bash plate, as well as steel underbody protection for the engine, transfer case and fuel tank.

Inside, in line with this model's adventure credential­s, the Tremor sports water-resistant black vinyl seat upholstery with grey contrast stitching and instead of carpets, you get vinyl flooring for easy cleaning after muddy outings.

Its adventurou­s owners can also look forward to 17-inch Asphalt Black machine-faced alloy wheels fitted with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres.

It also becomes the second four-cylinder model to receive Ford’s full-time four-wheel-drive system with 4A mode, while also inheriting the Trail Turn Assist feature from the aforementi­oned Wildtrak X.

The Tremor also ushers in a new driver assist feature called

Pro Trailer Back-up Assist with Trailer Reverse Guidance, which will subsequent­ly also become standard on the WIldtrak X, Platinum and Raptor models.

Ford said the Tremor comes with the same modified suspension system as the Wildtrak X, which includes Bilstein positionse­nsitive shock absorbers.

Thus it features a 30mm wider track than regular Rangers, while the ground clearance has been raised by 24mm.

Powering all this hardware is of course Ford’s well-known 2.0 litre, bi-turbo diesel motor that puts out 154kW and 500Nm, married with a 10-speed automatic transmissi­on.

In the convenienc­e department, the Tremor gets the larger 12-inch digital driver’s display in place of the 10.1-inch screen on the normal XLT to allow fitment of the offroad Sync screen and 360-degree camera system that assists the driver when manoeuvrin­g in tight spaces, as well as roofmounte­d auxiliary switches that allow seamless fitment of 4x4 overlandin­g accessorie­s.

Keyless entry and start are also standard, as are a wireless charger and a 12-inch portrait-style infotainme­nt hub that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Driver assist features, meanwhile, are plentiful, with clever safety tech such as

Trailer Sway Control, Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection.

Keep an eye out in Autodealer for more informatio­n and pricing when the new Ford Ranger Tremor is officially launched early next year.

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 ?? ?? Early work on the first hole as the grass mounds behind the freshly-dug bunkers get a good hosing
Early work on the first hole as the grass mounds behind the freshly-dug bunkers get a good hosing
 ?? ?? One of the better views in golf . . . from the clubhouse verandah the sweeping views to the east take in the first hole, the Umlalazi River mouth and the Indian Ocean
One of the better views in golf . . . from the clubhouse verandah the sweeping views to the east take in the first hole, the Umlalazi River mouth and the Indian Ocean
 ?? ?? Part of the course’s appeal for city dwellers is the proximity of the natural forest: here the path from the 11th green to the 12th tee winds its way down the slope between the trees
Part of the course’s appeal for city dwellers is the proximity of the natural forest: here the path from the 11th green to the 12th tee winds its way down the slope between the trees
 ?? ?? John Botha and Jeremy Kirkwood discuss the planned upgrades to the second hole
John Botha and Jeremy Kirkwood discuss the planned upgrades to the second hole
 ?? ?? The new bunker in front of the final green, with the clubhouse overlookin­g
The new bunker in front of the final green, with the clubhouse overlookin­g

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