Ford presentó en Estados Unidos la nueva Ranger Tremor. Es la versión más deportiva de la pick-up mediana del Óvalo. ¿Pero acaso ese rol no lo tenía la Ranger Raptor? Sí, pero la Ranger Raptor no se venderá en América del Norte y -para cubrir ese segmento- Ford decidió desarrollar la Tremor.

Debido a que se trata de una versión con baja demanda, la Ranger Raptor se produce en una sola planta para abastecer a todo el mundo: Tailandia. Por ese motivo, es la única Ranger que llega importada a la Argentina: todas las demás versiones se producen en la planta bonaerense de Pacheco.

Y, para cumplir con las normativas de homologación de todos los mercados, la Raptor tailandesa se ofrece con una sola mecánica: 2.0 biturbodiesel (213 cv y 500 Nm). Sí, es poca potencia para una “chata deportiva”, pero es el único motor que se logró homologar para las normas de emisiones de Europa, uno de los principales mercados de destino de la Ranger Raptor.

Por eso, cuando se la analiza en perspectiva desde la Argentina, la Ranger Raptor quedó un poco “manca” en cuanto a rendimiento, cuando se la compara con otras pick-ups deportivas que se venden en muestro país: Toyota Hilux GR-Sport V6 naftera (238 cv y 375 Nm) y VW Amarok V6 turbodiesel (258 cv y 580 Nm).

En Estados Unidos, donde incluso el mercado de medianas está acostumbrado a motores más potentes, se supo de entrada que la Ranger Raptor tailandesa nunca llegaría a ofrecerse. Así nació la Ranger Tremor, que tiene un motor mucho más potente: EcoBoost 2.3 turbonaftero (270 cv y 420 Nm).

Este es un motor que ya ofrecen otras Ranger fabricadas en Estados Unidos, pero que en el caso de la versión Tremor se combina con un paquete off-road compuesto por suspensiones reforzadas, mayor despeje del suelo y neumáticos específicos Continental General Grabber.

Es decir, Ford USA prefirió ofrecer un Pack Of-Road en la Ranger en lugar de importar la Raptor desde Tailandia: todo con tal de evitar el 2.0 biturbodiesel.

En Australia, donde sí se vende la Ranger Raptor tailandesa, la prensa local llegó a publicar versiones de supuestas evoluciones de este modelo, con motores V6 y hasta V8. Sin embargo, la marca aún no confirmó nada de manera oficial.

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Ford Tremor para EEUU: con el motor que merecía la Ranger Raptor
La Ford Ranger Tremor se vende en Estados Unidos con muchos stickers.

Ford Tremor para EEUU: con el motor que merecía la Ranger Raptor
O sin stickers.

Ford Tremor para EEUU: con el motor que merecía la Ranger Raptor
Interior con terminaciones más cuidadas que la Ranger Raptor tailandesa.

Pero butacas de diseño muy similar.

Ford Tremor para EEUU: con el motor que merecía la Ranger Raptor
Comparada con la Ranger USA Spec común, tiene mayor despeje, suspensión reforzada y neumáticos off-road.

Ford Tremor para EEUU: con el motor que merecía la Ranger Raptor
Por el momento, la Ranger Tremor sólo está confirmada para Estados Unidos y Canadá.

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VIDEO: Ford Ranger Tremor

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Comunicado de prensa Ford New Ford Ranger Tremor

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 14, 2020 – Ford today answers the call of Ranger customers asking for an even more off-road-capable and agile Built Ford Tough midsize truck, revealing the new available Tremor Off-Road Package designed to help owners tackle even rougher off-road terrain without compromising Ranger’s payload and tow ratings. 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor goes beyond today’s already-capable FX4 Off-Road Package, making it the most off-road-capable factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S.

“Tremor gives Ranger customers a new level of off-road confidence and fun,” said Chad Callander, Ford Ranger marketing manager. “With increased ground clearance, off-road tuned suspension and aggressive Continental General Grabber tires, Tremor elevates Ranger’s off-roading capability even further while keeping the unique advantages that come with a cargo box for hauling gear anywhere.”

Tremor starts with a lifted suspension, redesigned front knuckles and 32-inch Continental General Grabber™ A/TX all-terrain tires on new 17-inch Magnetic-painted wheels that combine to deliver 9.7 inches of ground clearance – 0.8 inches more than the base Ranger SuperCrew 4x4.

FOX™ 2.0 monotube dampers with rear piggyback reservoirs and hydraulic rebound stops are tuned for a comfortable ride on pavement while offering control over severe terrain. The shocks are specially tuned with progressive rebound end zone damping to support vehicle control where the pavement ends. Front and rear springs are tuned for greater off-road composure. A multi-leaf rear spring setup enables increased wheel travel. Anti-roll bar stiffness has been reduced to minimize disruption over rough terrain and improve comfort off-road.

Tremor boosts Ranger’s off-road metrics, including a 30.9-degree approach angle, up 2.2 degrees from the base SuperCrew 4x4, a 25.5-degree departure angle, which is up 0.1 degrees and a 24.2-degree breakover angle, up 2.7 degrees.

Compared to base Ranger, front suspension travel increases to 6.5 inches. Rear suspension travel increases to 8.1 inches. Together, these improvements mean customers can confidently tackle more challenging terrain on their way to their next epic destination.

Ranger Tremor includes a frame-mounted steel front bash plate and underbody skid plates, rear locking differential, Terrain Management System™ with four distinct drive modes and Trail Control™. Tremor’s traction control system is recalibrated for improved acceleration and traction in gravel, so customers can punch it in a washout with gusto.

Ranger Tremor comes with two new recovery hooks in the rear, in addition to the two up front. It takes a wider profile thanks to the Tremor-specific General Grabber all-terrain tires, wheels and wider wheel lip moldings. New hoop steps give Ranger Tremor additional off-road styling and functionality without sacrificing ground clearance.

Despite its improved off-road capability, Tremor maintains Ranger’s utility in everyday adventures with a smooth, comfortable on-road ride, plus 1,430-pound maximum payload and available 7,500-pound maximum towing capacity, so customers can haul bikes, boats, campers and other gear on their adventures.

Customers can now also control accessories like winches, lights and air compressors thanks to Tremor’s six-switch auxiliary power bank mounted to the dash with rated loads of 25 amps, 15 amps and 10 amps, plus three switches at 5 amps.

“Ranger Tremor can be your daily driver during the week then transform into your off-road adventure vehicle come Saturday morning,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “With its added off-road capability combined with the six-switch auxiliary bank and more than 200 Ranger-specific dealer-installed available accessories, Ranger Tremor is a very capable overlanding rig.”

Tremor adds new styling features inside and out. The grille features a Magnetic-painted surround with black bars running across the middle and red nostril accents in the corners. Special badging comes on both sides of the cargo box, and an optional hood and body graphics package adds extra personalization. The stylish interior features seats with Miko suede inserts and “Tremor” stitched into the seatbacks, as well as black accents.

Ranger Tremor comes with the proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine with 270 horsepower and best-in-class gas torque of 310 lb.-ft., paired to a class-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4x4 with electronic locking rear differential.

“No matter if you’re on-road or off-road, your truck needs to be tough,” said Callander. “That’s why toughness is engrained in Ranger’s DNA throughout design, engineering and testing. Tremor gives you the added confidence to get to where you need to go because it’s engineered to the same standards you expect in a Built Ford Tough truck.”

The Tremor Off-Road Package is available on mid XLT and high Lariat series 2021 Ranger trucks with SuperCrew 4x4 configuration. Package pricing is $4,290 MSRP. 2021 Rangers equipped with the Tremor Off-Road Package will be built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, with production slated to begin early next year.

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