New Ford Ranger Tremor: Raptor-lite double-cab bakkie fully revealed!
by Ryan Bubear
Ford’s North American division doesn’t offer the Ranger Raptor so it’s created its own Tremor variant, which gains all manner of off-road goodies.
Billed as the “most off-road-capable factory-built Ranger ever offered" in the United States, Ford says the Tremor package goes beyond that market's FX4 Off-Road Package.
The Tremor package will be available on mid-tier XLT and high-spec Lariat models with the SuperCrew 4x4 configuration from 2021.
Unlike the Ranger Thunder sold in South Africa, the Tremor-badged bakkie gains some serious under-the-skin upgrades, including a suspension lift, redesigned front knuckles and 32-inch Continental General Grabber A/TX all-terrain tyres on new 17-inch Magnetic-painted wheels. The result? Some 246 mm of ground clearance.
Fox 2.0 monotube dampers with remote rear reservoirs and hydraulic rebound stops have also been adopted and tuned for a “comfortable ride” on tarmac and proper “control over severe terrain”. The front and rear springs, meanwhile, have been tweaked for “greater off-road composure”, with the multi-leaf rear setup enabling increased wheel travel. Anti-roll bar stiffness has been reduced in a bid to "minimise disruption" over rough terrain and improve comfort off-road.
The Ranger Tremor boasts a 30,9-degree approach angle, a 25,5-degree departure angle and a 24,2-degree breakover angle. Compared with a standard (US-spec) Ranger, front suspension travel has increased to 165 mm while rear suspension travel grows to 206 mm.
Other additions include a frame-mounted steel bash plate up front, underbody skid plates, a rear locking differential and even a terrain management system with four drive modes. The Ranger Tremor’s traction control system has furthermore been recalibrated for “improved acceleration and traction in gravel”.
The new Ranger Tremor comes with two new recovery hooks up front and two at the rear, along with tubular side steps. The grille features a Magnetic-painted surround with black bars and red nostril accents. The package includes badging and Miko suede inserts for the seats, while a graphics package for the bonnet and body is optional.
In North America, the Michigan-built Ranger Tremor comes standard with the Blue Oval brand’s turbocharged 2,3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, which offers an unchanged 201 kW and 420 N.m via a ten-speed automatic transmission (and standard 4x4 with an electronic locking rear differential).
The price for the package? Some $4 290, which equates to around R72 000 at the prevailing exchange rate.
See Full Ford Ranger Double Cab price and specs here