Ford Pickups achieve best results in three categories – 07/25/2023 – Market

Pickup trucks are at the heart of Ford’s new strategy in the Brazilian market. The main product comes from Argentina: the Ranger 2024 line, which was the fastest model in its category.

The tested version, equipped with a 3.0 V6 turbodiesel engine (250 hp), started from zero and reached 100 km/h in 9.2s. The most powerful option of the previous generation (200 hp) completed the test in 11.8s. Evolution, however, is not only measured in seconds.

The 2024 Ranger sets a new bar in the segment. Although the typical coarseness of diesel pickup trucks is perceived in details such as the lack of seat belt height adjustment and the weight of the steering wheel height and depth adjustment, the smooth and silent ride brings the utility vehicle closer to luxury SUVs. The price, too.

Evaluated in the Limited version, the Ford model costs R$ 320 thousand. Among the standard items, there are seven airbags, 4X4 traction, two-zone digital air conditioning, electric power steering and a ten-speed automatic transmission.

In the consumption tests among diesel pickup trucks, the Fiat Toro Ultra 2.0 (R$ 206.9 thousand) made use of the smaller size to overcome its competitors. The RAM Rampage equipped with the same engine could even obtain a similar result in terms of fuel consumption, but it did not arrive in time to pass the current cycle of tests.

Maverick and Montana share podium in the compact segment

Front-wheel drive is one of the few points in common between Ford Maverick Hybrid (R$ 244.9 thousand) and Chevrolet Montana Premier (R$ 148.9 thousand). The models were the only competitors in this edition of the Ranking Folha-Mauá in the Compact Pickup Trucks category.

Bigger and more powerful (194 hp), the Ford option did better in gasoline performance measurements. Aided by electricity, the 2.5 engine was also economical.

With averages above 20 km/l both in urban and road use, the hybrid Maverick has become the most economical pickup truck in 27 years of tests carried out in partnership with the Mauá Institute of Technology. But it’s not flexible.

With the possibility of being fueled with ethanol, the Montana 1.2 turbo (133 hp) had no competitor in measurements with renewable fuel.

Chevrolet’s main launch in 2023 also stands out for its safety features, with a package that includes six airbags among the standard items. There are five versions available – the most recent is the RS (R$ 151.9 thousand), which hit stores this month with a sporty style.

F-150 beats RAM Classic in giant dispute

The line of RAM pickup trucks showed that Brazil was ready to receive passenger vehicles measuring almost six meters in length. Options 1500, 2500 and 3500 add up to 4,600 units licensed in the first half, according to Fenabrave (resellers’ association).

The success motivated other brands to bring their giants to the country. The Ford F-150, the best-selling model in the category in the world, hit the market in February and achieved the best results in the Large Gasoline Pickup Trucks category.

Although it weighs 2,517 kilos and is 5.88 meters long, the version rated Platinum (R$ 520,000) started from zero and reached 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. It was as fast as Fiat’s Pulse Abarth compact SUV, which completed the race in 7.6 seconds.

Power comes from the Coyote 5.0 V8 engine, which has 405 horsepower. It’s the same one used in the sporty Mustang, but adapted for off-road use. The Ford utility vehicle has 4×4 traction and a ten-speed automatic transmission.

But there was no surprise in the consumption measurements. Although it was more economical than the RAM 1500 Classic, its only rival in this test cycle, the F-150 consumed one liter of gasoline for every 5.9 kilometers driven in the city.

To compensate, the tank has a capacity of 136 liters, which guarantees an autonomy of 802 km in urban use, according to measurements made by the Mauá Institute of Technology.

Depending on the target audience, however, the F-150 must run most of the time away from heavy traffic in cities like São Paulo and Rio. Automakers direct the sale of these gigantic pickup trucks to agribusiness.

HOW TESTS ARE DONE

To measure the performance of the cars, the Mauá Institute of Technology uses the V-Box, equipment that uses a GPS signal. The acceleration and resumption tests are carried out on the track owned by the company ZF, in Limeira (inland São Paulo).

The stage that verifies consumption in the city is 27 km long. To simulate a road trip at 90 km/h, the test drivers drive for 31 km.

Both routes are in São Caetano do Sul (ABC), where the institute’s headquarters are located. If the car is flex-fuel, two measurements are made: one with ethanol, the other with gasoline.

The consumption of electric models is measured using the charger installed in the IMT. The test calculates the cost to travel 100 km in urban and highway modes.