Ford Ranger (2019) Launch Review

The 2019 Ford Ranger has made landfall in South Africa and we attended the updated bakkie's local launch in the Southern Cape. While changes to its exterior are minimal, the Ranger has received a substantial mechanical overhaul. The facelift represents a big leap forward for both the model… and the bakkie segment as a whole.

The Ford Ranger is bakkie available in single-, crew- and double-cab configurations. It's been on the market for some time in South Africa and has been a finalist in the #CarsAwards – powered by WesBank. The Ford Ranger is sold in 149 countries and a substantial number of those vehicles are assembled right here in Pretoria, South Africa.

The bakkie market receives new or updated models fairly regularly, so Ford has had to raise its game in the segment. The 2019 Ford Ranger has been subjected to an in-depth overhaul and while changes appear minimal, we can assure you there is a lot of new goodness under its sheet metal.

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What's New?

Aesthetically speaking, there are some slight trim changes both inside and out. The big change pertains to the powertrain and the updated model marks the debut of all-new 2.0-litre bi-turbo and single-turbo diesel engines. There's also a new transmission in the form of a 10-speed automatic 'box. In terms of suspension, the setup has been completely revised with the goal of improving the Ranger's on-road refinement and handling.

Inside, the 2019 Ford Ranger boasts a darker and more premium-look Ebony Black finish. Ford claims the painted surfaces in its revised bakkie's interior have been given greater shine and depth…

The Wildtrak cabin loses some of the pre-facelift version's orange accents and gains a darker finish for a classier look.

Powertrain

These new 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines are assembled at Ford's engine plant in Struandale, Port Elizabeth. The 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine can be found on the new-spec Ford Ranger Wildtrak and it will also power the eagerly anticipated Ranger Raptor version, which is due to be launched in May 2019. The motor's peak outputs are 157 kW and 500 Nm, with maximum torque available around the 1 750-rpm mark. The new 2.0-litre (single) turbodiesel engine has outputs of 132 kW and 420 Nm, again with maximum torque coming in at 1 750 rpm.

The benefits of the new engines are numerous. Not only are they quieter and more refined than the current offerings – they offer lower levels of vibration (which reduces NVH). Speaking of existing engines, the 5-cylinder 147 kW Wildtrak is still available, as is the trusty 2.2-litre TDCi

Then there's the new 10-speed automatic transmission. It's not a new gearbox per se, because it does duty in the F150 and Mustang models. Ford claims its transmission is smart (it can adapt to changing conditions, to ensure there's no hunting for gears and the correct ratio is always selected).

According to Ford, the benefits of the 10-speed automatic are: a fuel economy improvement of up to 9% compared with the current 3.2-litre Wildtrak engine, plus the 'box is said to be capable of locking out selected gears, which should be advantageous when towing or climbing a steep gradient.

The new 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine produces no less than 157 kW and 500 Nm.

Reworked Suspension

The current bakkie's traditional ladder-on-frame setup is not the most conducive to ride comfort, but Ford has reworked the Ranger's suspension to improve on-road pliancy. The anti-roll bar has been repositioned to behind the axle, which improves roll control, which, in turn, facilitates lower front spring rates. There are now 4 damper rates based on individual derivatives and the standard tyre pressure has been reduced from 2.4 to 2.1 bar.

Specification and Features

The challenging and tough 4×4 course which we completed with ease in the new Ford Ranger

We had the opportunity to drive the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Ford Ranger XLT derivatives, which are both comprehensively specced given their respective price points. Wildtrak boasts an impressive level of safety tech, such as adaptive cruise control with forward-collision alert, lane-keeping alert and lane-keeping aid, plus automatic high-beam control. The new Ford Ranger also boasts keyless start as well as a new engine-start button.

As is the case with virtually all modern Fords, the Ranger benefits from the latest SYNC3 infotainment system. Not only does it offer an intuitive and easy-to-use 8-inch touchscreen interface – navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility are included. An interesting addition to the range is the Category 1 Thatcham alarm, which is now standard across all Ranger XL, XLS, XLT and Wildtrak derivatives.

On road, the Ford's cabin is markedly quieter thanks to the addition of noise-cancelling technology, which has been carried across from the Ranger's Adventure SUV sibling, the Everest. Special lamination has been fitted around the B-pillar to further keep the noise intrusion to a minimum.

Our XLT Ranger in low range, ready to tackle the summit

What's it like to drive?

We had the opportunity to drive updated Wildtrak and XLT derivatives on a variety of surfaces, plus the route included a sojourn through the immense Outeniqua mountain range. The Ford's 4×4 capability remains impressive and, for the record, the Ranger offers up to 800 mm of water wading depth and 230 mm of ground clearance. The 10-speed transmission works in conjunction with a low-range transfer case, hill descent control and diff lock. You can switch from 2H to 4H on the go, which is handy, and we used all of those functions to traverse the majestic mountains.

To call the route we drove a "road" would be remarkably kind. The route was recently impacted by fire damage, rock falls and water erosion; it was barely passable. Yet somehow, the Rangers took it all in their stride. The 10-speed auto 'box does a fine job of keeping the engine in the sweet spot of its torque delivery (its electronic mapping is excellent). When you traverse extreme terrain, responsiveness is key… and the Ranger delivers.

Open-road cruising allowed us a chance to evaluate improvements to the Ranger's refinement levels. The suspension update, in particular, has improved ride comfort substantially; there's less of that wallowing sensation when road quality deteriorates. It's still a bakkie though and a leaf spring setup will never provide a perfect ride quality. We anticipate that if you put some weight over the rear axle, bump absorption would be even better!

And boy, the new engines are refined. The single- and bi-turbo 2.0 motors are punchy, with responsiveness galore thanks to that adaptive 10-speed transmission. It never "hunts for gears", because the clever software does a sterling job of selecting the right gear at the most appropriate moment.

With 500 Nm on tap, the bi-turbo motor bodes well for the forthcoming Ranger Raptor. It delivers considerable shove with little effort and in-gear acceleration, in particular, is potent. While some commentators have been unconvinced about this engine's suitability for the Raptor, we think it has sufficient grunt for what the vehicle is designed to do. It's going to take something special for another bakkie to match the Raptor's off-road prowess.

The new suspension setup has resulted in improved on-road manners

Summary

If you are in the market for a new bakkie, particularly a double cab, should the updated Ranger be near the top of your list? Most definitely. If you're looking to replace your current Ranger, the newcomer's well worth a look. Don't be put off by 1 fewer cylinder and a smaller displacement in the Wildtrak, it offers commendable performance, plus it's quieter and more rounded than the outgoing model. We think the pick of the bunch is the XLT, which offers a fair balance of spec, performance and value for money. Given the array of improvements in this new Ranger, we expect that Ford South Africa will continue selling these bakkies in vast numbers. The improvements make the 2019 Ford Ranger one of the most complete bakkies on sale in South Africa. Not only have some of the previous issues been addressed, but the overall package is comprehensive, safe and capable.

Be it XLT or Wildtrak, the Ford Ranger is going to prove popular amongst existing customers and newcomers alike

Ford Ranger Price in South Africa (April 2019)

SINGLE CAB
RANGER 2.2TDCI SINGLE CAB BASE 5MT 4X2 LR	R287 100
RANGER 2.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XL 6MT 4X2	R359 800
RANGER 2.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XL 6AT 4X2	R372 300
RANGER 2.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XLS 6MT 4X2	R390 900
RANGER 3.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XLS 6MT 4X2	R401 800
RANGER 2.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XL 6MT 4X4	R411 400
RANGER 2.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R449 200
RANGER 3.2TDCI SINGLE CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R460 100
SUPER CAB
RANGER 2.2TDCI SUPER CAB BASE 5MT 4X2	R336 500
RANGER 2.2TDCI SUPER CAB XL 6MT 4X2	R381 400
RANGER 2.2TDCI SUPER CAB XL 6AT 4X2	R393 800
RANGER 3.2TDCI SUPER CAB XLS 6MT 4X2	R424 900
RANGER 2.2TDCI SUPER CAB XLS 6AT 4X2	R426 400
RANGER 2.2TDCI SUPER CAB XL 6MT 4X4	R429 300
RANGER 2.2TDCI SUPER CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R472 400
RANGER 3.2TDCI SUPER CAB XLS 6MT 4X4	R480 900
RANGER 3.2TDCI SUPER CAB XLT 6AT 4X4	R568 600
DOUBLE CAB
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB BASE 5MT 4X2	R350 000
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XL 6MT 4X2	R409 400
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XL 6AT 4X2	R428 800
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XLS 6MT 4X2	R455 100
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XL 6MT 4X4	R455 300
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XL 6AT 4X4	R474 700
RANGER 2.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XLS 6AT 4X4	R508 400
RANGER 2.0L TURBO DOUBLE CAB XLT 10AT 4X2	R514 300
RANGER 3.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XLT 6MT 4X2	R542 600
RANGER 2.0L TURBO DOUBLE CAB XLT 10AT 4X4	R570 200
RANGER 3.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XLT 6AT 4X2	R571 400
RANGER 3.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XLT 6MT 4X4	R604 800
RANGER 3.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB WILDTRAK 6AT 4X2	R609 800
RANGER 3.2TDCI DOUBLE CAB XLT 6AT 4X4	R617 300
RANGER 2.0L BiT DOUBLE CAB WILDTRAK 10AT 4X2	R632 300
RANGER 2.0L BiT DOUBLE CAB WILDTRAK 10AT 4X4	R678 200

Buy a new or used Ford Ranger on Cars.co.za

Audi Reverts to Diesel Power for S7

Smaller engines and diesel fuel option for Audi’s latest S6 and S7.

Audi has revealed the latest iterations of its renowned S6 and S7 luxury car performance platforms and the most surprising feature is the presence of TDI badging.

The new S6 is available in sedan and station wagon (Avant) configuration, while the S7 retains its liftback body style.

All these new Audi high-performance vehicles feature the brand’s latest 48v electrical architecture, which allows for mild hybridization in terms of brake energy harvesting and storage. Up to 8 kW of harvested energy can be used when pulling away in traffic, at speed up to 22 kph, in bursts of 40 seconds – which is sure to save fuel in heavily trafficked commuting conditions.

Powering the new S6/7 range are a choice of two engines: both turbocharged V6s, which replace the twin-turbocharged 4-litre V8 engine previously nestling above the front axle of S6 and S7 Audis. The distribution of these new V6 engines will vary by market, with a 2.9-litre V6 turbocharged petrol, boosting 335 kW and 600 Nm, destined for most geographies outside of Europe.

There will also be a diesel-powered option for prospective new generation S6/7 owners, essentially the engine which debuted in SQ7. This 3-litre turbodiesel is good for 257 kW and 700 Nm, and unlike the petrol powered S6/7s, Audi has released preliminary performance numbers for its new diesel-powered performance cars. Those statistics read as 0-100 kph in 5 seconds for the S6 sedan, whilst the S6 Avant and S7 Sportback, due to their slightly heavier mass, run the benchmark acceleration test in 5.1 seconds.

Beyond the striking styling and gorgeously detailed cabin architecture, these new Audis feature a host of mechanical details which make them deserving of their ‘S’-badge lineage. Buyers will have the option of adaptive air suspension with a rear sports differential and enormous carbon-ceramic brakes, measuring 400 mm behind the front wheels and 350 mm in diameter at the rears. Factory fitted S6/7 wheels are 20-inches, with an inched-up ’21 rim optional. All S6/7s will be built with Audi’s comprehensive digital cockpit, featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment display, as standard equipment.

The new S6/7 range are large luxury cars and to ensure they exhibit greater agility when parking or manoeuvring at slow speeds, there is also an optional all-wheel steering system which turns the rear wheels in a five-degree opposing angle to the fronts, up to 60kph. At speeds beyond 60 kph, this action is synchronised, with rear wheels turning in unison with the front axle steering input, at an angle up to two degrees, thereby increasing tracking stability.

Audi South Africa has pencilled in the S6 and S7 models for SA, but is not sure on when it will make them available for purchase. The S6 Avant will not be making its way to SA unfortunately, no matter how much we like station wagons, they just don't sell enough here.

VW Golf R – More Power + Titanium Exhaust – How Does it Sound?

The Golf R returns with more power and a fancy exhaust system. We make a video showing you these things.

There’s a new-ish Golf R on the market. It’s pretty much the same Golf R you could have bought at the beginning of the year, except now it offers 228kW, up 15kW from the long-standing special state of tune for our hot weather market.

But more excitingly, VW SA offers a titanium Akrapovic exhaust, straight out of the factory. The Golf R was never exactly a dull car to listen to but this upgrade has certainly given that exhaust note much more drama and much more power.

In this video we set out to properly capture the sound of the Golf R’s titanium exhaust, using some traditional, and, um, not so traditional methods.

Range Rover Sport HSE SDV6 (2019) Review

Range Rover quietly introduced an updated Sport model into its product line-up at the back end of 2018. We’ve finally had a go in the Solihull-based premium marque's "Street-cred King" and eagerly put it through its paces.

We like: Commanding driving position, head-turning styling, interior ambience, fuss-free drivetrain

We don’t like: Huge asking price

Fast Facts

Price: R1 622 223 (as of April 2019)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
Power/Torque: 225 kW/700 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 7.0 L/100 km
Load capacity: 780 to 1 686 litres

Own a Range Rover? Tell us about your experience here.

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Land Rover dealers regularly offer specials: Have look here.

What’s new?

More distinct LEDs and a 1-piece grille up front is the easiest way to spot the facelift.

As far as facelifts go, this one is particularly mild, especially the exterior. The design team at JLR hasn’t got too much wrong over the last decade, aside from the latest Discovery, so they may have been a little circumspect when penning modifications to this facelifted Range Rover Sport.

Front and rear bumpers have been given new treatment, enlarging the opening below the grille. The grille is now a single unit (where before it had 2 tiers) endowing the Sport with a more distinct and less fussy face. The LED lights are thinner but have a more pronounced design that’s easily recognisable in a rear-view mirror.

The rear bumper has also undergone a redesign and features more prominent exhaust tailpipes that are integrated into the aft diffuser.

The major update is installed in the cabin, where the infotainment system from the Range Rover Velar has been installed. It includes two crisp 10-inch touchscreens and some new seats that hug your torso a little tighter than the previous items.

The good

That opulent feel

A Range Rover always feels more spacious inside.

The Range Rover Sport sits below the big-daddy Range Rover in the lineup, but it doesn’t feel like it lacks for anything, at least upon the first impression. The styling remains muscular and squared off, it’s distinctive and stands apart from the curved and rounded body shapes of the vehicles it competes with. In terms of sheer kerb presence, it has real street appeal when parked in the city that not many can match.

It’s not just the outside that’s appealing either, step inside and there’s an air of quality and opulence, something that Range Rover has managed to instil in the Sport while adding more gadgets, gizmos and mobile connectivity options.

There is a plethora of buttons on the fascia, but it doesn’t feel cluttered or overwhelming and the huge centre console acts as a "room divider" between the driver and front passenger. It feels much bigger in here than it actually is. The armrests are also quintessential to the Range Rover cabin experience as is the buttery smooth leather that’s lavishly plastered throughout the cabin.

The new seats offer more lateral support.

The new seats fit more snugly and do a better job of holding you upright when cornering than their predecessors. They still give that "up high and above everything else" seating position that allows you to look down on other road users.

What's more, the updated infotainment screens constitute a welcome connectivity update. The high-res screens respond quickly to touch – the top screen deals with infotainment duties, navigation, your personal settings and the Apple Carplay/Android Auto display. The bottom screen is utilised for climate control (and seat heating) settings and vehicle mode adjustment (off-road modes as well). It’s very simple, yet classy interface.

Smooth operator

The 20-inch wheels on this model can be optioned up to 22-inch.

The "Range Rover Sport as a turbodiesel" is a peculiar combination; the two don’t usually go together that well. Over the last few years, turbodiesel technology has really started to push the boundaries of performance (in spite of the VW Dieselgate scandal) and the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 lump beneath the Sport's bonnet thumps out 225 kW and 700 Nm of torque. Compare that to the supercharged petrol model’s output of 250 kW and 450 Nm and it seems that the diesel has more strings to its performance bow. There is a difference of some R130k between the derivatives, however.

Connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the SDV6 is capable of leaping from 0 to 100 kph in 7.1 seconds (1 tenth faster than the petrol as well) and while that’s not quite as potent as a BMW X5 M50d or Audi Q8 50 TDI, it’s enough to feel fast when you plant the throttle from a standstill.

It may not look like it's built to go off-road, but it sure can.

In day to day use, the self-shifting transmission and engine work well in tandem, smoothly shifting and anticipating your next move. There’s only a hint of hesitation when you ask for more performance as the 'box shuffles for an extra gear before the 2.5-tonne British behemoth is on its way again. When less performance is required, it’s smoother/the hesitation falls away; as if the cache of torque keeps things moving effortlessly…

The HSE rides on 20-inch rubber (options go up to 22-inch), but combined with standard adaptive air suspension the ride quality is superb. Small bumps or big bumps, the air suspension soaks them up and settles quickly thereafter. The weight is a little harder to hide in corners and Rangey leans when taking bends at a brisk pace. If cornering performance is what you desire from your Range Rover, the Velar a better bet.

The not-so-good

On the heavy side

There's a little more lean in the corners from the tall Rangie.

The Range Rover Sport’s heft is more noticeable than in a brand new X5, for example, especially when the road gets a bit bendy. As a buyer, you would need to decide how much tarmac cornering dynamics counts in an SUV that’s this capable on every surface.

The weight has an effect on the fuel consumption too. A few years ago, it was unheard of to get an SUV of this size to average 7.0 L/100 km, but that’s now on the high side considering most of the competition claims in the 6s with faster 0-100 kph times. The HSE SDV6 averaged 8.9 L/100 km.

Hefty asking price

The current exchange rate must be hurting the whole of JLR in South Africa. This derivative retails for R1 622 223 before options (this one came fitted with R100k worth of extra kit) and that’s a lot more than a BMW X5, even when propelled by the M50d's muscular turbodiesel engine. It’s also more than a Porsche Cayenne S, a brand that probably matches the mighty Range Rover in the hierarchy of motor manufacturers.

The Sport still turns heads and with its immense badge appeal can command a higher price tag. Or so Range Rover would say…

Verdict

The facelifted Range Rover Sport retains that something special that makes a Range Rover such a sought-after vehicle. The ambience and spaciousness of the cabin is 2nd to none and, with the new infotainment screens, hits the mark in terms of onboard technology and modern connectivity options (to reiterate, Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility are standard).

The powertrain is refined and imbue the 2-tonne SUV with sufficient propulsion, but if it’s performance statistics you’re after, there are faster and more efficient competitors out there. At this sort of price, buyers tend to buy what looks best and gives them the biggest fizz when driving. The Sport definitively ticks those boxes and offers the most capable off-road experience for a luxury SUV (without a Land Rover Discovery badge on it).

If you’re willing to part with R1.7 million, then value for money probably doesn’t rank very highly on your prerequisite list for buying a car. In that case, the Range Rover Sport remains the SUV with most street cred (if at the highest premium in its particular segment).

Alternatives (click on the names for specification details):

BMW X5 M30d

The brand-new X5 launched was in SA late in 2018. It's more refined and smoother than ever. It lags behind the Rangie in terms of looks and overall appeal (despite the huge grille), but it's more efficient and less expensive than the RR Sport.

Porsche Cayenne S

If you're looking for sportiness, then the Cayenne has the equipment to thrill. It's petrol-powered but at a similar price to the RR Sport you get 324 kW. It's a touch bland in terms of interior execution and the looks aren't for everybody, but you do get that very sought-after Porsche badge.

Audi Q8

As of writing the Q8 is 1 month away from being launched in South Africa. It may strictly be a coupe SUV, but it has great visual clout and an uprated turbodiesel engine that's a near match for the RR Sport.

Meet the Volkswagen Group’s New Engine for SA

The Volkswagen Group has a new engine for South Africa. Codenamed EA211, the engine has been confirmed for South African market introduction. Here's what you need to know about it.

The Volkswagen Group has an array of engines at its disposal. Many of these have made it to South Africa, but one engine which we encountered by chance back in 2017 on the international Volkswagen Golf 7.5 media event was the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol.

This engine is called the 1.5 TSI Evo. This turbocharged petrol engine boasts outputs of 110 kW and 250 Nm, with maximum torque coming in at 1 300 rpm. There's a strong focus on emissions and economy, as it works on the Miller combustion cycle and features variable geometry turbocharging. Interestingly, it's 22 kg lighter than the 1.4 twin-charged motor which it replaces. To further save fuel, Volkswagen gave this engine cylinder deactivation. The 2nd and 3rd cylinders can be shut down during what Volkswagen calls low and medium load states. Volkswagen claims a reduction in fuel consumption by as much as 0.4 L/100km on the European driving cycle.

South African applications

The forthcoming Audi A1 will feature the new 1.5-litre engine. Outputs are commendable, at 110 kW and 250 Nm.

When we first drove this unit, we were told by Volkswagen that SA petrol quality wasn't up to scratch. Fast-forward to 2019 and we have confirmation that this engine will be coming to South Africa, but it won't be Volkswagen SA who will introduce it. Instead, Audi South Africa confirmed at an international driving event that the 1.5-litre motor will be available in the soon-to-be-launched compact Audi A1. Expect this engine to make an appearance in the next-gen Audi A3 too, which is due for an international reveal towards the end of 2019.

A Volkswagen representative said, "For now, the 1.5 engine is currently not under consideration for Volkswagen introduction in SA." Internationally, the 1.5 TSI Evo can be found in the Golf, Polo, T-Roc, T-Cross, and the Arteon. This doesn't mean that Volkswagen SA is not bringing in any 1.5-litre powered products at all, rather it's not on the immediate horizon. We predict we'll see this engine eventually come to South Africa and given the current lineup in the Polo, for example, will bridge the gap perfectly between 1.0-litre Highline and the 2.0-litre GTI. Watch this space.

The Problem With Building an Electric Bakkie

If bakkies are so popular, why hasn’t anyone built a battery-powered one?

The world’s best-selling vehicle is a bakkie: the Ford F-150. South Africa’s best-selling vehicle is also a bakkie: the Toyota Hilux.

Despite the surging popularity of bakkies, there is not a single battery-powered pick-up or double cab on sale. At a time when nearly all automotive brands are rushing battery-powered electric vehicles to the market in some form or another, why is there a complete void of plug-in double cabs?

One cannot have a sensible discussion on anything related to electric vehicles without mentioning American automotive disruptor in chief, Tesla. Elon Musk’s controversial car company has managed to produce battery-driven sportscars, SUVs and even a sedan. It has offered a plug-in power alternative to all the segments dominated by German brands, which are the most powerful car companies around.

Tesla makes an array of electric vehicles, but no bakkies.

Tesla doesn’t have a bakkie, at least not yet. You would think that a bakkie would have been Tesla’s priority, seeing as the United States is its most important market and bakkies are the vehicle of choice for most Americans. Yet Tesla has only teased concept sketches of a bakkie, instead of committing to building one.

Bakkie customers are demanding – in the extreme

The reasons for Tesla’s resistance to building a battery-powered double-cab is strategically the same for any brand. Those consumers who are voluntarily becoming early adopters for the electric vehicle revolution mostly live in cities, and have very predictable driving patterns, across excellent road networks – with a high frequency of recharging points.

Most bakkie drivers work their vehicles much harder than average commuters. They load them, tow with them and drive them to isolated locations, where charging infrastructure doesn’t exist. Adding load to any vehicle necessitates it to use more energy. Electric vehicles already engender range anxiety and if you are going to load 1 tonne to your battery-powered bakkie, or tow 3 tonnes, chances are that the range reduction will be significant.

Rivian is a company pioneering the electric-powered bakkie.

In February of this year, a blizzard swept over the northern region of the United States. Temperatures fell to -17° Celsius and those few road users who were piloting electric cars saw their available ranges (from full charges) shrink dramatically, in some cases by nearly 50%. Contrast this with petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, which retained their normal driving range endurance during the extreme weather. Ranchers and other bakkie users in the north of the US would be left stranded if their vehicles suddenly suffered massive range reductions during bitterly cold weather.

A useful comparison is to think of a local scenario pertaining to bakkie use. South African bakkie owners often plot an adventurous route for off-road driving expeditions into neighbouring countries. Refuelling stops are carefully calculated, and additional diesel is carried along, in jerry cans, as a contingency. With a battery-powered bakkie, if the weather starts to dramatically shorten your range, or you wish to embark on a journey where recharging points are near the limit of our vehicle’s abilities – there is no option to load up extra batteries, as you would with liquid fuel in jerry cans.

Theoretically, a battery-powered bakkie offers more space for covered storage and better ride quality.

Despite the many arguments against battery-powered bakkies, they are very attractive from a conceptual point of view. By far the most compelling battery powered double-cab yet produced as a "proof of concept", is the R1T, produced by American company Rivian.

Without the need for driveshafts or differentials, this bakkie possesses incredible off-road ability thanks to immense individual wheel articulation and 360 mm of ground clearance. There is no engine in the front, either, which means you can use that cavity as an additional 330-litre lockable stowage area and, with all the bakkie’s mass concentrated in its floorplan, it's likely to exhibit a lot less body roll than its conventionally engined rivals.

Ranger and Amarok

The Rivian R1T illustrates that a battery-powered double-cab can have tremendous capability and "loadability", but who will be the first mainstream company to bring one to market?

Ford builds the world’s most popular bakkie, but it lacks EV drivetrain technology. The Blue Oval has signed a cooperation agreement with VW to effectively develop the next generation Ranger and Amarok bakkies together, which could mean access to VW’s growing battery-drive resources.

Not many charging stations in sight here.

Mercedes-Benz is also forging ahead with an array of ambitious battery vehicles. The Sindelfingen-based firm could possibly release powertrain technologies that might come to power future versions of the X-Class.

Toyota? Don’t expect a battery-powered Hilux on local roads soon. The Japanese brand has built its renowned bakkie business by being perfectly intuitive to customer needs, instead of following trends. It would take a huge uptick in the rollout of battery-powered bakkies to convince Toyota.

The only market where its Hilux features strongly and has a high frequency of recharging points is Australia. All other Hilux markets are decidedly liquid-fuel biased for the time being – including our own.

The Chinese

Bakkies from the People’s Republic have not had as big an impact on South African new vehicle sales figures as their importers would have liked, but one would be greatly ignorant to underestimate the Chinese automotive industry and its ability to learn and adapt.

With the current trade impasse between America and China, there is little incentive to build large F-150 sized vehicles that cater to the world’s most popular bakkie market – but that’s potentially very good news for the rest of us. Especially South Africa, a market where the majority of bakkies are categorised as medium-sized pick-ups, the exact classification of vehicle that GWM builds.

GWM’s Steed range has been one of the very few credible Chinese bakkie offerings and the brand has just revealed its new 4×4 pickup double-cab. It’s an impressive bakkie with 3 differential locks, not to mention a thoroughly-modern design. Clearly, GWM is aiming to conquer Ranger and Hilux customers with this 4×4 pickup.

GWM's new bakkie appears thoroughly modern. Could it be the first manufacturer to go down the electric route?

What is most symbolic about the new GMW bakkie is that China is both the world’s largest market and producer of electric vehicles, raising the probability that the 1st battery-powered bakkie could be Chinese in origin. An electrically powered bakkie, with a claimed range of 500 km, is scheduled as the star attraction of GWM’s Shanghai auto show display this month.

Battery-powered bakkies have an array of possible advantages over the double-cabs we currently drive. Cabin comfort will be hugely improved, with the annoying transmission tunnel no longer taking up so much interior floor space. The fact that all that room above the front axle, where the engine traditionally resides, can be converted to a secure, weatherproof, storage space – is a great boon too.

They should also be inarguably better to drive… Electric vehicles have an incredibly low centre of gravity, making them a great deal more rollover resistant – something which could reduce accident fatalities in bakkies, which routinely cover great distances on SA's gravel roads – at speed!

Dutch company Tempo 4×4 does an electric swap-out Land Cruiser.

Whichever automotive company brings the first battery-powered bakkie to market – be it Ford, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Rivian or GWM – "e-bakkies" will be held to a higher standard than has been the case with any electric passenger car. Bakkie owners are demanding, their vehicles are an integral part of their livelihood and are expected to perform faultlessly in rough terrain, often many hundreds of kilometres away from support.

When the first battery-powered bakkies come to market, early adopters of electric double-cabs will not be wealthy tech entrepreneurs or those who live in lifestyle security estates with off-grid solar power. They will be farmers and ranchers, with solar panels, in the middle of nowhere.

One suspects the demand for battery bakkies from South Africa’s Land Cruiser single-cab heartland, the Northern Cape, will be substantial. They have abundant sunshine and a notable awareness of solar generation in South Africa’s largest province. Greatly ironic, too, is that one of the few aftermarket electric motor engine swap-outs available, built by Dutch engineering specialist Tempo 4×4, is for the uber-utilitarian Land Cruiser 79…

Spy Shots: Volkswagen Tiguan R

The Volkswagen family of performance SUVs is set to gain a new member. A Volkswagen Tiguan R is on the way and was spotted testing. Here's what we know so far.

Image credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

After the Volkswagen T-Roc R was officially confirmed and revealed, it was only a matter of time before the same treatment was applied to the rest of the VW SUV range. Spotted recently was this Volkswagen Tiguan, but if you look closely, you'll see the trademark 4-exhaust setup which is commonly seen on products like the Golf R. We had a chance to look at the high-resolution versions of these photos and also noticed the front brakes are of the performance variety.

Our spy photographers said that this vehicle sounded like the Golf R and the 4-exhaust setup confirmed that this indeed is a performance derivative. As for power outputs, the 2.0-litre EA888 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is capable of 228 kW and 400 Nm. Mated to a 4Motion and DSG setup, we expect the Tiguan R to hurtle to 100 kph in under 6 seconds.

When will it come? Well, given the timeframe, we expect to see a global reveal of the Volkswagen Tiguan R in 2020, with a potential South African introduction sometime later.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class by Carlex Design

One of the criticisms of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is that it's just not bold or aggressive enough. Carlex Design has had a go at giving the X-Class some appeal and the results are err… wild? What do you think?

Carlex Design has been hard at work with its range of redesigned bakkies. Its latest offering is the Mercedes-Benz EXY X-Class. It's a limited edition and there will be just 999 units made. The upgrades and modifications are extensive, with substantial work done cosmetically and under the skin.

There's a new front bumper, bonnet lip, headlight frame, arch extensions, rear spoiler and a whole lot of carbon fibre splashings. The suspension is lowered and the new 20-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in Michelin Latitude Sport 3 rubber. There are a few stickers too. Inside, there's been an overhaul of the trimmings and there are new leather front and rear seats, as well as a leather armrest. There's a new-look steering wheel too. There is also a fake V8 exhaust system, which will make your X-Class sound the part.

No doubt this gives the X-Class that distinctive look that sets it apart from Nissan's Navara but trust a tuner to maybe take things a little too far. Or is this just what the under-selling X-Class needs?

Mercedes-AMG CLA35 Revealed

AMG reveals the third member off 35-series family.

Mercedes-Benz has expanded its portfolio of compact performance cars with a new go-faster version of the CLA coupe.

Built by AMG, the CLA35 joins its hatchback and sedan stablemates in offering a strong performance without the completely over the top styling applied to 45-series cars built in Affalterbach. Individualizing the CLA35 from other CLAs are larger 18-inch alloy wheels (which optionally be inched-up to 19s), two large rear exhaust ends, which flank a functional aft diffuser, and an AMG specific front bumper moulding.

Inside the most notable AMG themed differences are those metal shift paddles, which reside behind a flat-bottom steering wheel. The cabin also features red trim stitching and if you start exploring the infotainment menus, you’ll discover a host of AMG vehicle information displays and functions not ordinarily found in any CLA.

Mechanically the CLA35 is powered by the same 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder first seen in the A35 hatchback, boosting 225 kW and 400 Nm. Those outputs are split between all four wheels, with AMG’s 4Matic system capable of biasing 50% of the CLA35’s torque delivery to its rear axle.

Performance is credibly rapid, with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission helping this sloping roofline compact AMG from 0-100 kph in 4.9 seconds and onto a governed top speed of 250 kph. For those interested in comparative statistics, the CLA35 is a tenth of a second slower than an A35 hatchback in the benchmark 0-100 kph sprint.

To ensure the CLA platform is not overwhelmed by its additional engine power, AMG’s engineers have added bracing to the front of the car in the form of an aluminium ‘shear panel’ plate under the engine and two diagonal braces. Balancing its performance are optional adaptive dampers and large brake discs, measuring 350 mm up front and 330 mm at the rear.

Mercedes-Benz will also be offering a variable-ratio steering rack for the CLA35 and customers who want some additional acoustic drama, can order a sports exhaust system with actuation valves. Global righthand drive markets are expected to receive their CLA35s by the fourth quarter of this year. South Africa, however will only see this model in early 2020.

J6 is Jeep’s Single-Cab Bakkie

Jeep’s bakkie business is booming, as the American off-road brand reveals a single-cab Wrangler.

Each year Jeep allows its engineers and technicians to build a range of outlandish concept 4x4s for the company’s annual Easter Safari event in Moab, Utah. With the brand’s Gladiator double-cab bakkie launching in select markets soon, bakkie enthusiasts are feverish about the potential off-road abilities that could be had with a loadbin configuration Jeep.

The star attraction of this year’s Easter Safari event is Jeep’s J6. Those with an in-depth awareness of the brand will recognise the J6 name as a homage to Jeep’s original line of bakkies, and this concept singe-cab is based on the current production Wrangler Unlimited platform.

Essentially a single-cab Gladiator, the J6 gains a 50 mm body lift courtesy of trick suspension and rolls enormous 37-inch tyres, seated on 17-inch beadlock rims. To accommodate those huge tyres the J6 features extensively flared and oversized wheel arches.

Aiding off-road ability is the placement of its spare wheel in the loadbin, instead of underneath, and there’s a steel roll bar in case things do go awry. The compact bulbar houses a winch and four extra LED lights, whilst added illumination is also found on the bonnet (two lights) and roof (four supplementary LEDs).

Powering the J6 is Jeep’s 3.6-litre naturally-aspirated V6, powering up to 209 kW and 347 Nm. As is the case with all comprehensively equipped Wrangler platform Jeep 4x4s, the J6 has lockable differentials and an extremely powerful low-range transfer case, for the express purpose of conquering extreme off-road terrain.

Although Jeep says the J6 is a concept, it looks awfully close to a potential production vehicle. In a global bakkie market where Toyota’s antiquated Land Cruiser and Nissan's Patrol are the only true extreme terrain single-cab bakkies left, there could be an opportunity for Jeep with its more modern and capable J6.

Ford Ranger (2019) Launch Review

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Reworked Suspension

Specification and Features

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Summary

Ford Ranger Price in South Africa (April 2019)

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One of the criticisms of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is that it's just not bold or aggressive enough. Carlex Design has had a go at giving the X-Class some appeal and the results are err… wild? What do you think?

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