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Times
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Times
Ford Ranger PHEV review — plug into the pick-up revolution
T he world of cars has become stupidly complicated. Every niche seems to have been filled, and some vehicle types seem to have been shoehorned in between two traditional categories for no obvious reason. Think of the coupé SUV, for example: hulking great vehicles taking up the same amount of space as a small house but with the back sliced off in a vain attempt to improve the looks and aerodynamics. In reality it does little to either, but does have the effect of reducing the car's potential for carrying luggage. Better to have two cars: a gorgeous lightweight sports car for fun and a small van or estate for load-lugging. Perhaps a 4×4 for those adventurous families who like to get off the beaten track at the weekend. • Read more expert reviews, news and insights on cars and motoring Better still is one vehicle that can do it all. A pick-up truck, for example. Some see these types of vehicle as the automotive equivalent of a mullet, except instead of being 'business at the front, party at the back' a pick-up is business during the week and party at the weekend. With a double cab (five-seat) version, small business owners can throw their tools in the load bed, collect colleagues on the way to a worksite and treat it roughly from Monday to Friday, then head to the beach with the family on Saturday and go mountain biking on Sunday. A four-wheel drive model adds go-anywhere flexibility. Ford has added a PHEV version to the Ranger, which is the bestselling vehicle in its class in the UK and across Europe Which sounds appealing, but which to go for? Of the many pick-up options out there — Toyota Hilux; VW Amarok; Isuzu D-Max; KGM Musso — the Ford Ranger is the one most buyers gravitate towards. It's the bestselling vehicle in its class in the UK and across Europe, while in Australia they love Ford's 'ute' so much that it outsells every other vehicle full stop. Fair dinkum. And now there's a new version that Ford reckons is going to further its appeal: the Ranger PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). This combines a 2.3-litre Ford Ecoboost petrol engine — proven in Rangers outside Europe and found in the UK under the bonnet of non-V8 Mustangs — with a 75kW electric motor and a lithium ion battery, which can be charged up by plugging into a power socket or by the petrol engine during use. Why? Well, there are a number of claimed advantages for the owner, which we'll come on to. But it surely can't have escaped your attention that car makers are being made to reduce the overall CO₂ output of their combustion vehicles while also increasing the proportion of fully electric options for consumers. And going plug-in hybrid means Ford can continue selling the Ranger until 2035, five years after sales of new cars powered by more traditional petrol and diesel engines are banned. The Ford Ranger PHEV can tow up to 3.5 tonnes Not that Ford mentioned any of that on the vehicle launch, of course. Instead we were simply told about how, in developing the Ranger PHEV, the engineers wanted zero compromises compared with the existing powertrains, and that, in fact, the PHEV outperforms the rest of the Ranger stable in almost every regard. To look at, it's business as usual. Same length, same wheelbase, same ground clearance and overhangs as the other Ranger double cabs (you can't get the PHEV in single cab configuration). There's a small reduction in load-bed capacity, as the 11.8kWh battery pack sits under the floor, raising it by 20mm. But you barely notice, and the Ranger PHEV has all the same capabilities as the diesel Ranger — a payload of up to one tonne (and resulting business tax breaks); the ability to tow up to 3.5 tonnes; and four-wheel drive with a low-range gearbox. Inside the Wildtrak version I tested, there's a pleasing mix of digital screens and proper buttons (actual dials for the temperature and volume controls!), with a reassuringly chunky drive select lever and more physical controls for the drive modes and off-road settings. The cockpit is well organised, and the digital display features a 12in vertical touchscreen We'll knock marks off for a slightly low-rent rotary dial for those drive modes (Normal; Eco; Sport; Tow; Slippery; Mud/Ruts; Sand), which had a distinctly bargain bin squeak when you turned it, but it did function properly, and the multiple camera views and 4×4 info available on the touchscreen was top notch. While some of the controls might not be 'premium' in feel, there's a high level of sophistication to the ride of the Ranger PHEV. Out on the road, it feels more like a car than a commercial vehicle, with accurate steering and suspension that is pliant over bumps but not overly rolly in corners. Ford has always had a knack for this stuff, and it makes the Ranger amazingly adaptable — capable of handling pretty tricky off-road terrain, potholes and road humps, while also being pleasing to steer on silky-smooth asphalt. There's a reassuringly chunky drive select lever and more physical controls for the drive modes and off-road settings The drivetrain is smooth, too, despite having two power sources, four wheels to send that power to, and eight gears to send it through. Hybrids are nothing new, it's true, but this is a particularly sophisticated set-up, despite the Ranger's workhorse roots, and the way the car switches between electric and petrol is almost seamless. You barely even perceive the engine and gear changes most of the time, so creamy is the management of it all. The new Ranger's seats are plush and comfy, and the vehicle is perfect for taking the family out at the weekend Ford told us at the press briefing that Ranger customers are small business owners who like to balance work with play, using their vehicle for jobs during the day and then for taking the family out over the weekend. Well, the engineers nailed it, because it's a beast on the rough stuff (we tried it out off-road in Iceland), with a tough chassis and hard-wearing materials inside, yet the seats are plush and comfy and the refinement in the cabin is SUV-like. That includes hushed noise from the tyres, wind and engine. There was even a Bang & Olufsen sound system in our bright orange Wildtrak test car. Obviously the ability to run without pumping out exhaust emissions for up to 27 miles could be an advantage if you need to access a zero emission zone. But perhaps more useful for owners is the fact that the electric motor results in more torque (twisting force) than even the diesel models produce. That's not only about bragging rights on a building site; it genuinely makes a difference when it comes to negotiating tricky terrain while fully loaded, or towing heavy trailers. The load bed can be divided to facilitate careful packing There's some very clever tech associated with the towing abilities, too, with smart regenerative braking that senses the weight of the payload and helps to control speed while also recouping armfuls of energy to the high voltage battery. It can then deploy that on the next uphill section of road. Even cleverer — and we got a demonstration of this — is what Ford calls Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which automatically steers trailers of all sizes into spaces behind; you don't touch the steering wheel, and instead simply use the pedals and direct the trailer left or right by twisting the drive mode dial on the centre console. Even Clarkson could back up a trailer accurately with this tech. Perhaps the biggest selling point, though, is the ability to power electrical devices directly from the vehicle, using the high voltage battery pack. There's a 2.3kW system that Ford says is ideal for 'powering weekend trips to the trails' and can comfortably charge 'multiple e-mountain bikes and a portable fridge', or a more powerful 6.9kW system designed for heavy-duty equipment and work tools. The higher power on comes with two 15A outlets in the load box that have the capacity to power a compact cement mixer, angle grinder and flood lights simultaneously. There's no danger of running out of juice, either, as you can run the engine as a generator, if required. The 6.9kW Pro Power system is enough to run a compact cement mixer and angle grinder at the same time WILL DRON (TIMES MEDIA) There's more, because Ford claims the plug-in hybrid powertrain could save you money. In a purely dreamt-up scenario, the company said a German owner could save €850 (£726) a year versus the 3-litre V6 diesel Ranger, although that does come with caveats: charging off-peak every day and having a commute of 80km, for example. A UK business owner will have to do their sums, but it probably won't take long: that 3-litre V6 is actually more expensive up front, at £49,291 before tax in Wildtrak trim, while the Ranger PHEV in the same spec costs £46,241. The diesel also has less power, less torque, is slower to 62mph, and uses more fuel while creating significantly more CO₂ (officially). It's a no-brainer, mate. The new Ford Ranger PHEV is a great all-rounder But beyond the numbers is something less quantifiable. What Ford has created here, whether as a cynical future-proofing exercise or not, is a sensational all-rounder. More rugged than any vehicle you're likely to need, more practical than most cars, and more versatile too. If you could only buy one vehicle to do everything, it would be this. In other words it's the antithesis of the niche-within-a-niche cars being snapped up by people with more money than sense, which don't seem to have a point at all.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Heavy load-ready Ford Ranger Super Duty priced, but…
Powered by a detuned version of the 3.0-litre Lion turbodiesel V6 engine, the Super Duty will go on-sale in 2026 and has so far not been approved for South Africa. Ranger Super Duty has been priced, but only be available from 2026. Image: Ford Australia While only set to go on-sale next year, Ford has revealed the previously unknown powertrain details of the first-ever Ranger Super Duty, as well as the newcomer's price tag in Australia. Shown in April as not only the most work-focused Ranger ever made, but the first non-F-Series to wear the Super Duty name, the newcomer slots-in between the 'regular' Ranger and F-150 in the Blue Oval's bakkie line-up, albeit only Down Under for now. The differences Described as a 'purpose-built truck designed for heavy-duty use', the Super Duty will initially be offered as a chassis cab in single, Super and double cab bodystyles and, as its description states, without the fitting of a factory loadbox. A traditional Australian-style steel tray can, however, be had, but only as an optional extra. ALSO READ: This is it: Hardcore work-ready Ford Ranger Super Duty revealed As depicted by the April launch model though, a factory loadbin-equipped Super Duty will be offered, but only later in the year and solely for the double cab with the XLT trim designation being applied. Super Duty will sold as standard without the depicted steel tray. Image: Ford Australia. Compared to the standard Ranger, the Super Duty's exterior changes comprises a steel front bumper, a new grille, wider wheel arches, a new bonnet complete with Super Duty lettering, wider mirrors, a standard snorkel and a steel underbody protection bashplate. Underneath, the Super Duty sports a strengthened chassis, revised suspension, a long range 130-litre fuel tank and unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres. Hardcore fundamentals Known by now to have a tow rating of 4 500 kg, a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4 500 kg and gross combined mass (GCM) of over 8 000 kg, new information confirms a wading depth of 850 mm versus the normal Ranger's 800 mm, as well as the following payload ratings: Super Duty range will start off with the single cab. Image: Ford Australia single cab chassis cab: 1 982 kg; SuperCab chassis cab: 1 896 kg double cab chassis cab: 1 825 kg Differing further is the ground clearance ratings at 299 mm for the single, 297 mm for the SuperCab and 295 mm for the double cab. Detuned V6 Besides the only interior change being an on-board scale display integrated into the 12-inch SYNC 4A infotainment system, as well as the Super Duty script on the passenger's side of the dashboard, up front, Ford has made the 3.0-litre Lion turbodiesel V6 available as the sole engine option, but in detuned form. Bar the Super Duty script on the dashboard, no immediate interior redesign has taken place. Image: Ford Australia Reported in April as the only option considered for the Super Duty, the unit now produces the same 154 kW as the bi-turbo 2.0-litre Panther engine instead of its regualr 184 kW, but retains the same 600 Nm torque figure. As per usual, the only transmission option is the 10-speed automatic co-developed with General Motors. Price hint On the colour front, five hues have been made available: Arctic White, Command Grey, Shadow Black, Aluminium Silver and the Super Duty-exclusive Seismic Tan. A sixth, Traction Green, has been lined-up for later in the year. With the mentioned double cab-only XLT to arrive later, the three-model Super Duty range, as with the standard Aussie-market Ranger, will be produced in Thailand rather than at the Silverton Plant outside Pretoria where the South African-spec Ranger is made. As such, no plans are currently in place to bring the Ranger Super Duty to market anytime soon. Ranger Super Duty chassis single cab – $82 990 (R971 454) Ranger Super Duty chassis SuperCab – $86 490 (R1 012 424) Ranger Super Duty chassis double cab – $89 990 (R1 053 394) Note: All prices are directly converted into Rand without the various taxes included. Additional information from ALSO READ: Date set: Ford Ranger Super Duty showing itself on 4 April
NDTV
a day ago
- General
- NDTV
Jharkhand Forest Ranger Officer 2025 Admit Card Released, Download Here
JPSC Admit Card 2025: The Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has released the admit card for the Forest Ranger Officer preliminary examination 2025. Candidates who registered for the examination can download the admit card on the official website, JPSC Admit Card 2025: How To Download Admit Card? Visit the official website, Click on "Click Here to Download Admit Card for Forest Ranger P.T Examination". Enter your login credentials such as Email ID, One Time Password (OTP) sent to your mail id and captcha code. Click on "Login". Your admit card will be displayed on the screen. Download the admit card for future reference JPSC Admit Card 2025: Exam Selection Process The Forest Ranger selection process includes multiple stages: The first stage includes the preliminary examination which is held in objective type format for 150 marks. The second stage includes a descriptive test as main examination, with a weightage of 500 marks, followed by an interview, a physical test, and lastly, a medical examination. Candidates who qualify all the examinations will be considered eligible for the post of Jharkhand Forest Ranger Officer 2025. Candidates are advised not to bring prohibited items like mobile phones, electronic gadgets, bags, text-books, food-items, valuable items, weapons etc., to the exam centre. The Jharkhand Forest Ranger Officer preliminary examination is scheduled to be conducted on July 29, 2025 from 9 AM to 12 PM.
Axios
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Axios
Ford: We will match China's EVs on costs
A few details are emerging about Ford's affordable EV project, due in 2027. Why it matters: Ford, like other global automakers, is scrambling to make electric vehicles profitably and still compete with lower-cost Chinese brands. Catch up quick: In early 2024, Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed a small California-based "skunk works" team, led by a former Tesla engineer, to develop a low-cost EV platform. Since then, the project, now known as the Advanced Electric Vehicle Program, has grown to 500 team members with offices in three locations. Driving the news: Ford is keeping most details under wraps, but Lisa Drake, who leads Ford's EV industrial plan, shared a few nuggets during a "candid dinner discussion" with investors last week hosted by Bernstein's lead automotive analyst, Daniel Roeska. Zoom in: Ford's new EV platform will support up to eight body styles, she told the group, including trucks, crossovers, and possibly sedans. Ford has already said the first product will be a mid-sized pickup truck, but Roeska said he inferred from Drake's comments that it may resemble an electric Ranger. It will use prismatic LFP batteries, developed with China's CATL and produced in the U.S., to keep costs low. "With eight body styles and potential global applicability, it's intended to underpin Ford's EV strategy for much of the next decade," Roeska wrote. Behind the scenes:"Lisa Drake was explicit: Ford intends to match the cost structure of leading Chinese players. That means not just battery pricing, but full system cost from chassis and thermal systems to inverters and electronics," he wrote. Yes, but: Ford's EV math hinges on an estimated $700 million in federal tax credits the automaker is counting on to help offset the $3 billion cost of a new battery cell plant under construction in Michigan.
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
"Watched by AI Guards" Yard Sign Appears in LA Neighborhoods, Signaling the Rise of AI Employees -- Replacing Human Guards
Article content SAN FRANCISCO — A bold new security yard sign from ArcadianAI, an AI security company, is drawing attention across California neighborhoods: 'Watched by AI Guards.' Unlike traditional alarm decals or video surveillance warnings, this sign signals a new era. Homes are now protected by autonomous AI employees rather than human guards or passive CCTV systems. Article content The initiative is led by ArcadianAI, a Canadian venture-backed security technology company with operations across North America. Its flagship product, Ranger, is the world's first fully autonomous AI security guard. Article content Ranger doesn't just record — it responds. Powered by advanced LLMs, behavioral modeling, and real-time decision-making, Ranger monitors footage 24/7. It autonomously detects threats, classifies incidents, and alerts authorities — all without human input. Article content 'Honestly, it makes me feel like we're one step ahead,' said James Lui, a community safety lead in Orange County. 'We've dealt with break-ins, porch piracy, and midnight loitering. Knowing an AI guard is actually watching gives me peace of mind.' Article content Unlike legacy systems that rely on DVRs or remote human monitoring, ArcadianAI's platform turns existing cameras into self-operating AI security agents. It reduces false alerts, improves response time, and significantly lowers the cost of full-time monitoring. Article content 'We've tried alarms and motion lights,' Lui added. 'But this? This actually feels like real protection.' Article content With crime on the rise and traditional systems proving expensive or outdated, more California homeowners are turning to AI-native security. ArcadianAI's technology is already deployed across commercial properties, places of worship, and now — private residences. Article content The 'Watched by AI Guards' sign isn't just a warning. It signals a shift from human-led patrols to fully autonomous protection. In a world where software can now outperform human guards in speed, accuracy, and scale, the future of home security has already arrived. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
