TURBOCHARGING THE FUTURE
While the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is at its best in Bi-Turbo fourwheel drive form, there’s also a less potent one in the guise of Turbo for the rear-wheel drive (known as HiRider in Ford speak).
Both use the same 2.0-litre diesel motor but, as their badges indicate, are distinguished with the number of turbochargers.
While the Bi-Turbo produces 213hp at 3,750rpm and 500Nm at 1,750-2,000rpm, the Turbo generates 180hp at a lower 3,000rpm and 470Nm at the same engine speed range.
Although the differences aren’t that vast under normal driving, it’s when you press harder that they are in which the Bi-Turbo feels livelier on top-end power. As well, it’s a touch quieter and more refined than the Turbo.
The Turbo is also mated to Ford’s new 10-speed automatic and helps for lower CO2 emissions than the 160hp 2.2-litre diesel and sixspeed auto combination it will eventually replace entirely in the long run. Ford quotes a figure of 187g/ km against the older unit’s 197g/km.
Whether potential buyers of the Wildtrak will find the 236k monetary saving for the Turbo (priced at 1.029 million baht) worthwhile is for them to decide. Yes, the Turbo outperforms practically all the other
pickups currently on sale, but there’s still much to like about the Bi-Turbo’s brilliance.
Expect Nissan to be the next brand to introduce twin-turbo diesel technology to its Navara NP300 when it is updated later this year. But before that will happen, the new 2.3-litre four-pot diesel will appear in the Navara-based Terra SUV, due for launch in Thailand this month.