Your questions answered: Why can’t Ford just build more Ranger utes?

The new Ford Ranger has been a popular discussion point and that popularity continues to grow as Australian buyers continue to queue. But is it really worth waiting for the V6 engine?

This week’s questions also look at that other hot ute topic: American pick-up trucks. The field is set to double over the next couple of years, so which to go for?

We’re also touching on towing and mid-life crisis cars (yes, they’re different options) as well as having a look at whether it’s worth paying for the most expensive brew of premium unleaded.

Question: I really want a new Ford Ranger V6 but don’t want to join what the dealer is telling me is a very long queue. They can’t even tell me exactly when I’m likely to get the car, only that it’ll be sometime next year. Why doesn’t Ford just build more? – Jeff T

Answer: Trust us, Ford would love to build more Rangers, especially as demand is running so hot early in the vehicle’s life. As you’ve probably figured out, the biggest delays are with the V6 models, especially in top-spec Wildtrak trim. So if it’s a V6 you’re after, then you’re likely to be waiting until at least early 2023, possibly later.

Keep in mind the new Volkswagen Amarok is due early next year as well. It’s a mechanical twin of the Ford (the two were developed together and will share a chassis and engines) but has different styling, features and (yet-to-be-announced) pricing. So if you’re not locked into a brand it’d be worth visiting a Volkswagen dealership to see when they reckon they could get you a V6 model.

Also don’t be afraid to go for the Ranger four-cylinder. The twin-turbo diesel engine is class leading in terms of outputs and it works nicely with the 10-speed automatic. Sure, it’s not quite as grunty as the V6, but there’s still decent pull by ute standards. And the four-cylinder Ranger is a lot easier to get hold of, so you won’t have to wait nearly as long.

Question:

Answer: The relatively high sulphur content is the biggest issue with regular unleaded petrol in Australia. It’s also one of the reasons car-makers recommend premium unleaded for their vehicles. Sulphur is not an issue for the engine, more so the emissions hardware in the exhaust system.

As for whether you’re looking after your Porsche more by choosing 98 RON fuel over 95, there is theoretically no difference in sulphur levels between the two. So there should be no additional risk of damage by using 95 RON.

That said, fuel retailers will always promote the benefits of 98-octane brew, in some instances suggesting there are benefits beyond a potential performance gain compared with mere 95-octane premium unleaded. For a car like a Porsche, there certainly could be some benefits, albeit minor – and we reckon they’d be best noticed when you’re driving it flat out.

Question: Is it a possibility to build an EV motorhome with a Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux? Or maybe hybrid, even hydrogen fuel-cell. Come on, the sooner we get these done the better. Think about the money you would make if you got in sooner. – Stefan

Answer: Pretty much anything is a possibility with EV conversions, provided you have deep pockets. Even a modest conversion to battery-electric propulsion will cost about $40,000, often more. For most people that points them towards buying a new EV with all the benefits that brings.

For something like a motorhome we’d suggest you’d be better off starting with an electric van. Ford will next year start selling the Transit Electric. We reckon it would make more sense converting that to a motorhome rather than starting with a diesel-powered ute and converting it to an EV.

There could be another option next year, too. Aussie start-up Roev is planning to convert the Toyota HiLux to electric, which could form the basis for an electric motorhome. But, again, it won’t be cheap; we’re expecting prices for the EV Hilux to start at around $100K.

Question: Just got some questions regarding the upcoming MY23 Kia Seltos. Does anyone within the team happen to know if Kia will be offering a white colour interior (in addition to black and tan) in the new model? What exactly does ‘shift by wire’ mean with the gear selector shown in high spec models? In the lower half of the range (S and Sport), are they retaining a CVT? In terms of exterior colour options, I love that they dropped the Yellow for the new ‘Pluton’ Blue. My question is, will they be offering both that one and Neptune Blue as well, or just the one? I truly appreciate the help! – Craig G

Answer: Sounds like you’ve done plenty of research! Regarding the interior, in Australia it’ll be offered with black only. Often you get interior colour choices on more expensive cars, but with vehicles at the cheaper end of the spectrum that’s extremely rare, mainly because car-makers are trying to reduce production and stock complexity; by adding a second colour option they’re doubling the number of colour, engine and trim combinations.

As for shift by wire, it means there’s no mechanical link between the gear selector and what’s happening in the transmission. Instead, that gear shifter simply sends an electronic signal to the transmission that then gets a mechanical component to do the gear shifting. Often manufacturers use shift by wire to get rid of a traditional chunky gear selector and instead have a dial or buttons or compact shifter to choose between Drive and Reverse. That can take up less space in the centre console. Shift by wire also allows additional functionality, such as the ability for the car to automatically change gears when performing self-parking. Don’t get too excited, though, because the shift-by-wire system won’t be available in Australia for the Seltos.

The CVT is available on all trim levels but is only paired with the 2.0-litre engine. The 1.6-litre turbo gets a different eight-speed automatic, and instead of being a twin-clutch system (as before) it’s now a regular torque-converter auto, which should be smoother in its initial engagement. And yes, Neptune Blue will still be available.

Question: I fear I may be having a mid-life crisis (not that I’m expecting you to help me with all that comes with that!). But it’s changing my taste in cars. The SUV will soon be retired and I’m starting to think sporty (yes, I do have grey hair). I’m very open to suggestions and am even wondering whether to go new or used. Currently on my short list is a new Mazda MX-5 and a used Porsche Boxster. Which is best? – Garry S

Answer: They’re certainly two very different cars and to some extent it’ll depend on your budget. Sure, they may be around the same price but how much each will cost you to own and run could be quite different. The MX-5 is a very simple bit of kit, which is part of its appeal. It should provide many years of relatively low-maintenance running, even if you drive it hard.

The Porsche could be a different story, in part because someone has already enjoyed its younger years on your behalf. Any car with kilometres under the tyres is closer to a potentially expensive problem. And Porsche maintenance can be expensive. So factor that into your decision-making.

If you can stretch to the Boxster running costs you’ll be driving away in a superb bit of kit. Brilliant to drive, special at any speed and even vaguely practical (as much as a two-seat sports car can be).

But we equally wouldn’t be disappointed with an MX-5. It’s not as fast as the Boxster but is arguably easier to enjoy more often on a public road. And it pushes just as many buttons. No bad choice then.

Question:

Answer: As you probably know, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento share mechanical components beneath the skin. That includes the 2.2-litre diesel engine that is well suited to towing (most city-focused large SUVs from mainstream brands don’t offer diesels these days).

But there are some differences, especially with towing. The Santa Fe is rated to tow 2500kg, for example, while the Sorento tops out at 2000kg. Given the van you’re looking tow is two tonnes, it could easily surpass the maximum tow limit of the Sorento, especially once you start filling it with life’s essentials. Remember that everything you put into the caravan – from knives and forks to water and bedding – adds to the weight you’re towing.

Also check with the manufacturer what the tow ball download is (how much weight is pushing down on the back of the car), because even though the Santa Fe has a higher maximum tow capacity it has the same 200kg download weighting as the Sorento. With towing, it’s crucial you don’t exceed the maximum weights and get the load properly balanced.

With all that in mind, the Santa Fe is looking like the better bet due to its higher tow capacity (check out our tow test here). But if your towing rig is likely to go much heavier once you’ve kitted it out it could be worth looking at more off-road-focused SUVs such as the Isuzu MU-X and soon-to-launch Ford Everest.

Question:

Answer: What used to be a niche market segment is turning into serious business for car-makers – and the conversion companies that switch the steering wheel from the left- to right-hand side (most are done by the Walkinshaw Group).

As you’ve noticed, there are people queuing for the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado. Chat to dealers about estimated wait times, but our understanding is they can stretch out to a year.

The imminent arrival of the Ford F-150 will no doubt be keenly anticipated, which is likely to translate to a rush of early demand. Ford is already marketing the large ute heavily, so chat to some Ford dealers to get an idea of supply. It’s worth talking to more than one, because they’ll get an allocation and some may have a longer list of customers than others.

As for the Toyota, the Tundra is not officially confirmed for Australia yet. Toyota has said it will have about 300 cars on Australian roads as part of a “re-engineering program”. All of which sounds like engineers from head office want to see that the converted product is up to the quality and durability standards of a Toyota that rolled off the company’s own production lines.

There’s another consideration here: what’s powering them. The RAM and Chevrolet each has a muscly V8, which for many people is the essential ingredient to top off the brashness of an American pick-up truck. They’re powered by petrol, so aren’t exactly known for their fuel efficiency.

The Ford and Toyota, on the other hand, will have V6 propulsion – also petrol-fed. In the Toyota’s case it will be a V6 hybrid. If it’s anything like other Toyota hybrids it should provide good fuel-saving benefits, albeit without the sound of a V8.

So short story is it may be a long wait for a Chevrolet, RAM or Ford, but it’s likely to be an even longer wait for the Toyota Tundra.

As for choosing between the RAM and Chevrolet, neither is perfect, but the RAM came out on top in our recent comparison test – but only just.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

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