The Tremor is another special edition cast in the same mould as the now defunct Wildtrak X, but with less glam.

A SECOND Ranger developed primarily for Europe and the United Kingdom has founds it way to New Zealand, again as a limited-count provision.

The Ranger Tremor supplants and is similar to the Wildtrak X, which followed the same market preference pathway, came to this market last year but has now retired from play, supply having exhausted.

The basis with the new model is as it was with the X - a high-end four-wheel-drive double cab powered by the 2.0-litre biturbo diesel and taking features specific to the trim line. Consignment count of 400 units is also common.

Though it has fewer comfort features than the X, it equips just as handily for off-road application.

It has the same specially developed Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, 24mm higher ground clearance and 30mm wider track as last year’s special.

Like Wildtrak X is also provides a conduit to full-time four-wheel-drive, which in regular issue Ranger only arrives with the V6s.

The engine is also tuned to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard - which means outputs, consumption and emissions are different to those from the power plant in the standard Kiwi market calibration. 

Only the power and torque have been shared. The Euro 6 engine makes 150kW power and 500Nm torque, against 155kW and 505Nm from the biturbo featured in standard Rangers.

In other applications, the CO2 output is determined at 209 grams per kilometre, against 218 from the regular issue. CO2 was important when Wildtrak X came, as then the Ranger was subject to Clean Car penalties that no longer apply.

Going to Euro 6 asks operators to keep it topped with AdBlue, a solution of distilled water and urea that acts to reduce Nitrous Oxides, or NOx. This is held in a separate tank and feeds into the exhaust system in pre-set doses.

A sticker of $74,990 maintains Tremor X at the same sub-Wildtrak X price positioning it delivers in the UK and Europe, where both still avail. 

The X here was an $80,990 variant - at time of introduction it placed $5000 above the Kiwi regular Wildtrak 2.0-litre biturbo and $2500 below the Wildtrak V6.

The revised suspension geometry and widened track demands extended arch mouldings and it rides on 17-inch wheels fitted with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres.

The interior features a water-resistant vinyl-clad floor and seats in hardier materials than the X’s leather and suede. 

Tremor has the off-road SYNC screen, wireless charging as standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

It also features halogen front and rear lights over X’s  LED units, a different front bumper and lacks the previous special’s vibrant orange paintwork or trim.

However, the Tremor does come with an optional pre-wired overhead switch pack which offers six inputs for winches, LED light bars and other equipment, type-specific Boulder Grey exterior details and a darkened grille.

It also has the new Trail Turn Assist feature that debuted on the Raptor. The system brakes the inside wheel when negotiating tight bends in off-road conditions below 19kmh, reducing the vehicle’s turning radius by up to 25 percent to help navigate around obstacles.

A tubular sports bar has also been fitted to the tray along with aluminium side steps under the doors and two exposed tow hooks up front. A flexible rack system can be fitted as an option.

“Tremor is aimed at customers who require enhanced on and off road comfort while retaining 3.5t towing capability, Tremor is customised off the shelf for any adventure,” says David Herbert, Ford NZ marketing manager.