Ford Ranger traverses various terrain during experiential test drive

During the successful launch of the next-generation Ford Ranger in the country last July, Ford Philippines showcased why it is the smartest, most versatile, and most capable Ranger ever with an experiential driving course that highlighted its new features and enhanced capabilities.

Ford Philippines took the experiential test drive to the next level with a hands-on driving experience for the next-gen Ranger, proving that it is an all-around pick-up truck that can take various driving conditions in the city and the countryside.

Kicking off from Clark Freeport Zone, the media convoy took on the smooth highways of North Luzon Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) on the way to San Marcelino, Zambales, where they were met with an off-road trail tested the durability and capability of the next-gen Ford Ranger.

At the end of the rough terrain was Camp Ford, a campsite pitched in a picturesque area lined with pine trees and lush greenery along Lake Mapanuepe. The camp also featured a display that showcased the practical capabilities of the pick-up truck.

Through the Rough and Tumble: The Next-Gen Ranger Experience

Media attendees got a taste of driving the next-gen Ranger through a variety of terrain across the road trip that covered close to 500 kilometers. Along the way, they also got to test its latest safety and connectivity features.
Throughout the trip, participants got to experience the various capabilities of the next-gen Ford Ranger:

  • Parking Exercises: Drivers got to see for themselves the latest in Ford’s wide array of safety technologies including Active Park Assist 2.0 that works especially well for parallel parking scenarios, as well as the Reverse Brake Assist and Pre-Collision Assist that both come in handy in emergency situations.
  • Uphill and Downhill Spots: One of the key stations is a hill section that showcases the next-gen Ranger’s improved suspension and required the participants to select 4-High to get to ascend the slippery and loose lahar surface.On the descent, drivers had to engage the Hill Descent Control feature. The system continually adjusts brake pressure to help control slippage and maintain a constant preset speed while going down a steep gradient. This helped drivers concentrate on steering with greater confidence.
    Drivers also experienced the controlled ride and stability delivered by the pick-up truck thanks to the improved rear departure angle of 23˚ (increased from 21˚ in the preceding model) and wider and longer wheelbase in the next-gen Ranger.

  • Water Crossing Stations: Relying on the next-gen Ranger’s water-wading capability (up to 800 mm), and enhanced visibility provided by 360˚ camera, participants effortlessly traversed through small pools and streams to test just how the pick-up truck will respond to such terrain.
  • Rock and Ruts: Driving in normal mode in 4-Low together with locking rear differential system to test the engine’s torque at a lower RPM and axle ratio, participants drove through rocky and sandy patches and experienced how the next-gen Ranger’s ride remains smooth through all of it.
  • Beyond Offroad: At Camp Ford, participants saw how versatile the next-gen Ranger is. With its clamp pockets, molded compartment slots, and improved bedliner as well as the 230-volt inverter cargo outlet, the truck isn’t just for driving through off-road tracks, it can also be used for everyone’s work needs such as drilling and cutting wood.

“Our next-generation Ford Drive Experience allowed our media partners to experience the full capabilities of the next-gen Ford Ranger amid real-life driving situations and conditions. We planned the trip to really showcase its versatility, reliability, safety, and connectivity.

We hope that through this experiential drive, our media partners were able to appreciate the features of our next-gen Ford Ranger which makes it the perfect vehicle for work, play, and family,” said Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines.

The next-gen Ranger comes with a 5-year warranty for an enhanced ownership experience. The longer warranty offering will cover the next-gen Ranger for up to 5 years or total mileage of up to 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

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I don’t have the latest gadgets, and that’s okay

10/29/2020

It’s not your fault. It’s easy to want a lot of things nowadays considering that new gadgets pop out every month. It’s also easy to frown on your current gadget and smile whenever you see that new shiny thing. And often, that smile turns to a frown when reality sinks in and you realize that you can’t have it for now.

I am from the generation that grew up knowing feature phones. The fascination started when I saw a classmate’s Nokia 5110, a beautiful device with colorful covers and a game of Snake. I wished I had one of those.

A year later I saw a friend whip out the new Nokia 3210. It’s sleeker than the 5110, and just like the last time, I wanted it, but never owned it.

It went on like that for a few years. Whenever I visit malls, I always frequent the gadget stores to check out the “dummy” units on display. Although it looks like a sad scenario, it actually wasn’t. I don’t remember feeling bad for not owning one. It was more on the pure fascination with technology.

I only got a phone later in college. It’s a hand-me-down, so it’s an older model. There were newer and more attractive models, but it was okay. I was just happy that I could call and send text messages.

“I feel bad for not having the latest. They say it is materialism or consumerism. Whatever it is, it doesn’t feel good.”

It was simpler back in the day since phones then mostly have the same basic features, so you won’t feel outdated easily. Nowadays, it’s difficult as more fancy features are being introduced and marketing campaigns become more creative. All you need to do is watch the new device’s ad on YouTube and you will find yourself wanting one as well.

Upgrade cycles become shorter, too. From the usual 2-year cycle, you’re now compelled to upgrade to a new one after just a year. Some brands even release upgraded models in just six months, leaving some users who just recently bought a new smartphone easily feeling left out.

It’s easy to fall into this trap, even for someone like me who reviews gadgets for a living. The barrage of new devices left me desensitized, killing my fascination for technology, and just left me wanting almost everything that is new. I feel bad seeing my 1-year old flagship stutter when it attempted to play a new and popular game. The grass is now always greener on the other side.

Image: Maynard Lumhod

And it’s not just with smartphones now. I feel the same way with my other devices — TV, laptop, gaming console, headphones, etc. I feel bad for not having the latest. They say it is materialism or consumerism. Whatever it is, it doesn’t feel good.

I guess not having the means to buy whatever latest gadget, cars, or appliances in the market has its perks. I decided to be more practical and practice delayed gratification. I mean, I can still upgrade to the latest, but only when necessary. Easier said than done, though.

That’s when I realized that the things that I’m using right now are actually doing okay. My phone still performs well on most tasks. My laptop, although not built for gaming, handles productivity tasks well. My gaming console can still play the games designed for it. And my TV? My internet is not that fast enough to stream 4K, so Full HD is still enough. Simply put, there’s nothing wrong with them.

They say that things become obsolete after a number of years. But I’d like to think that things become obsolete when you start demanding more from what you already have. This is not to say that you should not buy the latest gadgets or whatever you fancy. But rather to help you stop feeling bad for not having the latest. As long as it’s still working, you’re going to be okay.

While you’re reading this, a new smartphone has probably launched. You’re going to read and watch everything you can about it. Not just because you want it, but because of your appreciation of technology. And if ever you realize that you can’t have it, at least for the meantime, you will be able to tell yourself that it’s okay.

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