Ford Troller TX4; Bentley Ice Race Continental GT; Alpine A110 Sportsx; Upcoming models; Aston Martin Vantage Roadster; 100 years of Mazda

While the world anticipated the release of the new Bronco, Ford Brazil’s rugged Ranger-based Troller TX4 stole the limelight from its North American cousin

BUILT IN BRAZIL

The body-on-frame SUV retails for R$167 560 (±R580 000) and is available exclusively in the South American country, where it is produced in the Troller assembly line in Horizonte, Ceará. Ford Motor Company acquired the Brazilian 4x4 maker in 2007.

Various advanced techniques were applied to the manufacturing process: 3D printing helped speed up the production of prototype models, while virtual reality software was used to test the vehicle’s ergonomics.

Before the start of production, new investments were made in the factory and employees underwent 14 000 hours of training.

BAKKIE-BASED THREE-DOOR

The Troller TX4 is underpinned by the Blue Oval automaker’s familiar

Ranger platform. The three-door SUV’S dimensions do, however, differ from the bakkie’s. The wheelbase is 635 mm shorter, while the deletion of a loading bay has cut the length by 1 235 mm. Ground clearance is up by 79 mm.

Under the bonnet, the Troller TX4 employs a similar 3,2-litre inline-five turbodiesel mill and six-speed self-shifter as found in the Ranger. The automatic transmission has been calibrated specifically to “optimise driving on all types of terrain and especially for off-road use”.

TOUGH YET TUNED FOR THE TARMAC

The Troller TX4 boasts an electronic traction control setup featuring lowand high-range configurations, with a shift-on-the-fly mode allowing it to drive at speeds of up to 120 km/h while the latter setting is activated. A locking rear differential, steel bash plate, snorkel, auxiliary Hella LED lights, tow hooks fore and aft, and full alloy spare complete the exterior package.

The off-road kit extends to the cabin, where the floor is finished in rubber and the pews are trimmed in easy-to-clean vinyl. Convenience items include climate control; a 6,75-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, replete with screen mirroring functionality; a 12 V socket; and 60:40-split rear seats with Isofix anchorages.

The Troller TX4 is underpinned by the automaker’s familiar Ranger platform