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Ford Super Duty will receive some sort of electrification

Ford will begin to introduce some electrification for their Super Duty truck lineup. This news may not be very significant for the Malaysian market as the model is not sold here, but for those of you following the developments in the automotive world, this is a sign of the direction of a major global manufacturer.

Ford announced that they will build a third Super Duty assembly plant at the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, which will start producing vehicles in 2026. This move will increase the production figure for the trucks to 100,000 units per year.

There are not many details available at the moment, but Ford stated that the Oakville plant will “pave the way to bring multi-powertrain technologies to the new generation of Super Duty trucks, giving customers more freedom to choose and support Ford’s electrification plan”.

We can infer that “multi-powertrain” refers to hybrid technology. However, whether it’s a plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell, we do not yet know.

This announcement comes as Ford, like other vehicle manufacturers, is reconsidering its future plans for fully electric vehicles (EVs). The Oakville plant was originally established to produce a three-row EV SUV.

Ford still has plans to produce this EV SUV, but has not decided when and where it will begin production. It was initially planned for 2025, then delayed until 2027. It could be delayed further.

Currently, the Ford Super Duty in North America is offered with the option of a 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine with 500hp and 1,626Nm of torque, as well as a 7.3-liter V8 petrol engine with an output of 430hp and 657Nm of torque.

“Super Duty is a vital tool for businesses and people around the world and, even with our Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant running flat out, we can’t meet the demand,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley.

“This move benefits our customers and supercharges our Ford Pro commercial business. At the same time, we look forward to introducing three-row electric utility vehicles, leveraging our experience in three-row utility vehicles and our learnings as America’s number two electric vehicle brand to deliver fantastic, profitable vehicles.”

NEWS

2024 Ford Mustang recalled over potential brake hose failure

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Ford is carrying out a recall for the 2024 Mustang due to potential fluid leaks in the clutch assembly, which may hinder the manual model from shifting gears.

Yes, this means only the manual version of the Ford Mustang is affected by this recall. A total of 1,861 units are potentially lacking a specific seal or have been improperly installed. This seal connects the clutch hose to the firewall.

If the hose comes into contact with exhaust components, it could leak clutch fluid. If this occurs under the hood near a heat source, the fluid could also vaporize and lead to a fire, according to the recall report.

Drivers may experience difficulty shifting gears, and the engine may stutter, potentially leading to accidents.

Ford first identified this issue on April 30, 2024, when investigating two reports of engine compartment fires in manual models. Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group examined both vehicles and identified the root cause.

Ford stated that they were aware of the potential fire or smoke reports, but no injuries or accidents related to this issue have been reported.

Ford will begin contacting owners on June 17. They will ask owners to bring their Mustangs to a nearby dealer, where technicians will inspect and repair the relevant components if necessary.

NEWS

Ford Ranger StormTrak now in Malaysia – 200 units, from RM182k

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MORE than a year after it was launched in Thailand, the Ford Ranger StormTrak has now arrived in Malaysia with a starting price of RM181,888.

For comparison’s sake, the price of the Ranger StormTrak in Thailand starts at 1,264,000 baht or RM161,195 based on the current exchange rate.

Exterior-wise, the Ranger StormTrak sets itself apart from the Ranger WildTrak by a pair of three-point auxiliary LED lights at the front, Race Red details on the front bumper, StormTrak logo, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

There are three colours to choose from, namely Arctic White, Meteor Grey, and Absolute Black.

Inside, contrasting Race Red stitching and StormTrak emblems can be found on the seats and dashboard, along with Miko Suede inserts and an e-shifter gear button.

Additional features include an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and Park Assist 2.0., to name a few

The upgrades brought by this variant are not limited to cosmetics, as several handy features are also added on for enhanced functionality.

These include a flexible rack system (similar to that found in the Ranger Platinum) and swing-in-place roof rails that can support loads of up to 80 kg (dynamic) and 250 kg (static).

Additionally, the Ranger StormTrak also comes with a zone lighting system to brighten the vehicle’s surroundings and cargo lights for added convenience when loading and unloading.

Similar to the WildTrak, the StormTrak is powered by a 2.0-liter BiTurbo diesel engine with an output of 210 PS at 3,750 rpm and 500 Nm between 1,750 and 2,000 rpm. The power is transmitted to the wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system.

The Ranger StormTrak can be exclusively ordered online, with only 200 units offered for our market. Customers will receive an exclusive windbreaker jacket during the vehicle handover session.

NEWS

Limited-edition Ford Ranger to be launched in Malaysia on May 30

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SIME Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, recently announced that it will soon launch a limited-edition Ford Ranger.

According to SDAC, the booking for the limited-edition Ranger is solely available online starting May 30 2024 at https://shop.sdacford.com.my/vehicle/.

Members of the public who wish to get a closer look the exclusive pickup truck can do so at One Utama Luxe from May 30 to June 2, 2024.

Much about the forthcoming Ranger is unknown but in an official release, SDAC says the pickup truck will come with “high-end features” and is “designed to elevate the outdoor experience”.

The total number to be offered is also undisclosed, but according to SDAC, customers who secure their bookings online will receive a complimentary limited-edition Ford Ranger windbreaker upon vehicle delivery.

NEWS

Ford Ranger MS-RT is a Europe-exclusive, motorsport-inspired truck

THE Ford Ranger lineup for the European market has been further expanded with the introduction of a new sporty variant called the Ranger MS-RT.

The latest offering from Blue Oval is developed in collaboration with M-Sport (Ford’s partner in rally), but don’t expect it to come with any more power as upgrades are limited to aesthetics.

That being said, the Ranger MS-RT is guaranteed to turn heads with its motorsport-inspired styling. At the front, there’s a honeycomb grille and integrated splitter inspired by extreme Ranger racing trucks that compete in Asia.

The side profile appears lower thanks to sculpted side skirts, while the rear is adorned with an integrated diffuser. The rear tailgate comes with MS-RT graphics and a ducktail spoiler, which is complemented by a cab spoiler.

You may not realise, but the Ranger MS-RT is 82 mm wider than the standard version. The bulging fenders are matched with 21-inch diamond-cut rims wrapped in low-profile 275/45 tyres – the largest wheels ever to be offered on a Ranger.

The interior displays new seats that not only look sportier but also offer better support. They are upholstered in eco-leather and suede with distinctive MS-RT pattern and blue stitching.

Other features include a sports steering wheel with heating and a blue 12 o’clock marker, a 12-inch touchscreen with SYNC 4 infotainment system, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, and Intelligent Speed Limiter.

Under the hood, there’s a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine making 240 PS and 600 Nm. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and the new e4WD all-wheel-drive system also found in other Ranger variants.

Despite not getting any additional power, the Ranger MS-RT promises better handling through new, firmer front dampers and retuned rear suspension. Its height has also been reduced by 40 mm, giving the truck a more aggressive stance and greater handling and stability through corners.

More importantly, its capability as a pickup truck remains intact. It can still carry loads of up to 1,000 kg and has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg.

NEWS

2024 Ford Mustang ‘lost’ 52hp for Europe

The increasingly stringent emission regulations have compelled vehicle manufacturers in Europe to take measures such as reducing the number of cylinders or adding turbochargers.

Remarkably, the Ford Mustang for the European market still retains its delicious 5.0-liter V8 naturally-aspirated engine, but there comes some bad news. The engine’s output has been reduced.

The standard version, which previously boasted 440hp, has now been reduced by 40hp to comply with the stringent regulations.

The torque has also been ‘only’ 540Nm, which is 28Nm less than the American version. Nevertheless, European consumers should be grateful that Ford can still offer a car with a V8 engine in today’s era.

The power is still quite impressive. For those who feel it’s not enough, there’s the Dark Horse version. This top-of-the-line Mustang produces 448hp and 540Nm of torque (a reduction of 52hp and 28Nm), and you can even pair it with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

It can accelerate to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 263km/h. Opting for the 10-speed automatic model can achieve 0-100 acceleration in 4.4 seconds, but the top speed is limited to 250km/h.

This new Ford Mustang was introduced in Europe since September 2022; however, it is only now being officially sold. In the UK, it is offered at a price of £55,585 (RM331,842) for the GT model, and £65,585 (RM391,542) for the Dark Horse variant.