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Europe the latest victim of Ford’s Tremor sending Ranger
Tremor makes the passage to the Old Continent but at present, landfall in South Africa remains to be established.
Tremor arrives in Europe after having been limited to North America. Image: Ford
Exclusive to North America until now on the F-Series and then later, the domestic market Ranger and the Maverick, Ford has expanded the off-road focused Tremor package to the new T6.2 Ranger and for Europe.
Familiar changes
For now limited to the Old Continent, the Tremor, similar to the erstwhile Ranger FX4, uses the mid-range XLT model as a base and although furnished with several unique exterior additions, incorporates changes underneath the skin that become available last week on the equally new Wildtrak X.
Besides joining the Wildtrak X and the recently launched new Stormtrak as the third model to offer either a steel roll bar or the new Flexible Rack System as an option, the Tremor’s other unique aesthetic applique comprises a steel front bash plate, cast-aluminium side-steps, a pair of tow hooks, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, a blackened grille, a new colour option called Boulder Grey and Tremor badges on the tailgate.
Raptor influence
Lacking the decals the soon-to-be-outgoing T6 generation Ranger Tremor sports in the States, the new Tremor’s under-the-skin changes are similar to the Wildtrak, meaning it gets the position-sensitive damping mono-tube Bilstein shock absorbers and wider front and rear tracks that premiered last year on the new Raptor.
ALSO READ: Ford’s self-made Tremor leaves mark on US Ranger
Inside, the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster carries over from the XLT, with the only changes being the availability of the overhead auxiliary switch panel as an option and fitted as standard, water resistant vinyl floor mats and seat upholstery.
Bi-turbo and AWD
On the power front, the Tremor keeps hold of the bi-turbo 2.0-litre Panther turbodiesel engine which boasts different tuning as well as Ford’s AdBlue system deemed not needed in South Africa.
It, therefore, means a slightly reduced power output of 150 kW versus the local market XLT’s 154 kW, though torque is unchanged at 500 Nm.
The recalibrated General Motors co-developed ten-speed automatic gearbox prevails as the sole option available with drive going to all four wheels as standard via the same permanent system employed on the Wildtrak X, the Ranger V6, Everest Platinum and the flagship Ranger Platinum.
Inclusive of the full-time all-paw gripping system is the low-speed Trail Control system and Rock Crawl that only engages in low-range.
South Africa waits
Now available for ordering in Europe with delivers set to commence in August, the Ranger Tremor, as mentioned, remains Old Continent bound with Ford having so far ruled-out Australia as a non-European market for the new bakkie.
Given that the land Down Under sources its Rangers from Thailand rather than South Africa, the chances of the Tremor coming to the country’s of its origin is more realistic, but at present, no confirmation has been from Ford South Africa.
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