When it comes to testing the next-generation Ranger’s toughness and durability, Ford Australia’s team of development engineers doesn’t pull any punches. After all, they need to deliver a truly global pick up that is up for the challenge across 180 markets. Built from the ground up to be the toughest, smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever, next-gen Ranger is being subjected to more physical and virtual testing than ever before. “Every part of...
Ford’s first electric vehicle in Australia will be the E-Transit van, due next year – with more electric and hybrid models due over the coming years. Ford Australia has confirmed it will launch its first electric vehicle in Australia mid-next year, the 2022 Ford E-Transit van. Slated for a local launch in mid-2022, the E-Transit will launch in Australia in rear-wheel-drive, long-wheelbase 420L guise – with prices are yet to be confirmed. Powering the van is a 198kW/430Nm electric motor driving...
Higher-output turbo engine and loads of fresh tech headline new-look Fiesta ST due early 2022 Ford Australia’s pocket rocket, the Ford Fiesta ST, has just become even more desirable with details of the updated MY22 model that brings improved engine performance, extra technology, new cabin features and styling revisions. The gutsy 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine continues to produce 147kW of power, however peak torque has increased to 320Nm (+30Nm) and is now delivered lower in the rev...
Ford Australia has finally confirmed its 2022 Ford Ranger will appear later this year, but you’ll have to wait just a little while longer to actually get behind the wheel of one. Along with releasing a photo of the new Ranger testing in “its natural habitat” – namely the red dirt of Australia’s vast outback – Ford also confirmed the covers would come off the ute “later this year” ahead of its 2022 launch. Now, there’s not that much “later”...
When the new Ford Mustang landed in our fair nation back in 2015, few could have predicted its runaway success. The local Blue Oval outpost initially expected to sell about 1000 units a year but quickly found demand far outstripped supply, with a waiting list of over 12 months rapidly established. It’s a mainstay on the sales charts and comfortably owns the affordable sports car segment in pure volume, having sold over 20,000 examples locally since its...
How does the Ford Puma stack up against the latest little hybrid from Australia’s favourite brand? Australians love SUVs in all shapes and sizes, especially at the smallest end of the market where the Yaris Cross and Ford Puma play. This market is running hot, moving almost three times as many cars in 2021 as it did in 2020. Part of that could be the Covid effect, but the light SUV segment is also well...
I bought my 2017 Ford Focus RS brand new. Initially I was told there might be a wait of 8 months for delivery. As it turned out I had it in my driveway after only 4 months. I had not test driven the car, instead I read many test drives and watched many video reviews before I committed to buy. What we love – Power, Handling, Looks, Smile generating, Versatility What we don’t – Envy...
Buyers are becoming spoilt for good choices in a segment featuring the smallest and most affordable SUVs. Such is the proliferation of compact SUVs these days that official industry sales split them into two camps: Light SUV and Small SUV. And for 2021, Drive Car of the Year has done the same. Here we focus on the ‘Light’ SUV that is typically based on city-sized cars, and which in 2020 saw a whole range of...
Light, nimble and a huge amount of fun, the Ford Fiesta ST is as pure a hot hatch as you could want. The direct steering and impressive chassis setup are well balanced with the turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, to provide an entertaining drive experience both around town or around a track. You need to work it hard to get the most performance, with peak power of 147kW at 6000rpm and 290Nm torque at 4000rpm, but...
Ute sales are at an all-time high We take a look at which utes are doing best in 2021, before showing how the market as a whole has grown since 2010. Australians love their utes, especially at tax time. In fact, during the course of 2021 total ute sales and market-share are both at all-time highs. Instant asset write-down policies, superior products with greater comfort and safety, and less tangible aspects like changes in customer preference and...
