Before we delve into our Ford Ranger Tremor test, we’ll remind you we also reviewed it at its South African launch earlier in the year. Not only that, but we’ve driven the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X and reviewed the top-of-the-range Ranger Platinum 4×4, which can justifiably be termed bakkie royalty. The point we’re trying to make is we have extensive experience behind the wheel of the current Ranger product portfolio. So, we’re well placed to guide you through the ever-growing Ranger line-up.
FORD RANGER TREMOR
Firstly, we should proudly hail this South African-built bakkie. The engines are built in the Eastern Cape and the full vehicle is assembled in Silverton, Pretoria, for export all across the globe. More amazing is how the current Ford Ranger has only been out for just over a year and a half and we’ve already seen so many special-edition models, like the Ford Ranger Tremor. So, what is it exactly, and why do we think it’s the clever-money option?
Starting at R977 500, this hulking great bakkie is a fun, off-road focussed Ranger. Critically, the Tremor’s donor vehicle is the XLT, rather than the more elaborate Wildtrak (like the X is to the Wildtrak, so the Tremor is to an XLT). And there’s a clear customer in mind for the Ford Ranger Tremor, too. This person is someone who wants to go adventuring, and overlanding, and is not afraid of off-roading.
OFF THE RICHTER SCALE
Likewise, the name Tremor refers to its supreme earth-moving capabilities. But in a practical sense all you need to know is it replaces the previous FX4 nameplate. There’s good reason for this. Ford Motor Company wants to keep naming conventions consistent across all global markets. There’s a Tremor in the United States, so there’s one in South Africa, too. WhoHaa! Speaking subjectively, we absolutely love the look of the Ford Ranger Tremor. Its macho makeover is all about form following function, with a bit less bling than a Wildtrak X. But that’s not to say some of the best bits haven’t been cherry picked for it …
The grille is very close to that of the Wildtrak X. Add-ons include the steel bash plate, recovery hooks, load-baring tubular sports bar on the load bay, cast aluminium running boards and clever rear load-bay step. Crucially, off-road-focussed General Grabber 265/17 AT tyres (with cool white lettering) ensure you’ll never get stuck in the mud or sand. And that’s just the beginning of its off-road prowess.
BUILT FORD TOUGH
Structurally, there’s a 30-mm wider track and 24-mm higher ground clearance (than a standard Ranger). The ride quality on road is little jiggly and that’s due to uprated Bilstein dampers from the Wildtrak X. Queue seven distinct driver modes (including Rock Crawl for the first time) accessible from a rotary dial on the transmission tunnel. Moreover, the Ford Ranger Tremor is jammed full of clever all-terrain tech.
Try Ford Trail Control, which behaves like cruise control for off-roading. At any speed from 1 to 32 km/h it will crawl up a steep off-road hill – in high or low range – and modulate the throttle for you. Not only does this keep your progress smooth, but it leaves you to focus on your steering inputs with the guidance of its 360-degree off-road cameras. Similarly, Ford Trail-turn Control helps nip the inside wheel in a tight hairpin bend to reduce your radius by as much as 25%.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST?
Inside, it’s quite a bit nicer than an XLT Ranger. There are plenty of dark satin-plastic accents and contrasting orange stitching on the Tremor seats. Removable hard vinyl floor mats catch all the beach sand and dirt you can throw at the For Ranger Tremor without letting any wetness through. As you’d expect, Ford’s latest Sync4 infotainment system is in place. And the full 12-inch digital driver display is present and correct, with the tablet-like centre touchscreen fully Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
Under the big, wide bonnet you’ll find the Blue Oval’s tried and tested bi-turbo 2.0-litre diesel. It develops a hearty 154 kW and 500 Nm that’s usable, responsive and is yet to be found wanting in any practical scenario. Overall, it’s a real easy pleasure to drive. Much like bigger-engined offerings, it feels bred for chewing up long distance gravel travel with ease thanks to the 10-speed automatic gearbox. Economy wise, you’ll see figures in the 10 l/100 km range most of the time. But if you’re particularly sparing with the throttle you may see it drop as low as 8.5 l/100 km. Zero to 100 km/h sprint times are not exactly the Ford Ranger Tremor’s remit, but we recorded a sub-10-second run. This is par for the course for a two-tonne-plus bakkie.
THE VERDICT
As you can tell, Ford South Africa has been fully fortifying its locally produced Ranger line-up. In the current-generation bakkie, it’s readied a phalanx of excellent offerings to stand guard and gobble up punters in every possibly defined gap in the market. This Ford Ranger Tremor essentially takes over the mantle of the previous-generation Ranger FX4. Walking the line between capable workhorse, convenient day-to-day cruiser and off-road beast, at R977 500 represents excellent value in today’s money. With such a vibrant and well-executed line-up, it’s no wonder that at last count the Ford Ranger was the best-selling double-cab bakkie in South Africa. The Ranger is well and truly proving its pedigree and building its myth with each and every unit that rolls off the Silverton assembly line.
THE FIGURES
- Ford Ranger Tremor 2.0 BiT 4WD Tremor 10AT
- Engine: 1 999 cc 4-cyl twin-turbo diesel
- Power: 154 kW, 500 Nm
- Performance: 9.75 seconds – 0-100 km/h
- Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
- Economy: 10.9 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
- Price: R977 500
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