Ford Ranger (P703)

The world-proven Ford Ranger pickup truck is now in its 5th-generation and this all-new version strives to be the world's best midsize truck that can tackle the likes of the Toyota Hilux and the Chevrolet Colorado.

2024 Ford Ranger

Starting at $32,565 plus additional costs, the fifth-generation Ford Ranger continues to assert its world-class quality that makes the Ranger, well, a Ranger. Once and always.

2024 Ford Ranger

Beginning with the design, the fifth-generation Ranger is more of a macho-sized version of its little brother, the Maverick, but unlike the Maverick, the all-new Ranger is still the macho man known the world over. From the bustling streets of the West Coast to the desert hills, this Ranger still asserts its Built Ford Tough mantra.

2024 Ford Ranger interior

Step inside, the all-new Ranger features a 12-inch center touchscreen with SYNC 4A, digital instrumental panels, climate control, a B&O sound system, and a wireless charging pad, among many others. Like its predecessor, it's offered only in a four-door SuperCrew but when asked about the space, it is slightly more spacious compared to its predecessor. It even has a wider track compared to its predecessor, meaning you can now load a full-sized 'Euro' pallet flat in the bed.

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

The fifth-generation Ford Ranger is powered by a choice of a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder, a 2.7L EcoBoost V6, and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6, all are mated to a 10-speed automatic. The lesser one produces 270HP of power and 310lb-ft of torque while the so-called superior one produces 405HP of power and 430lb-ft of torque. All engine variants gave the Ranger a towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs.

Depending on the variant, the Ranger is armed with the Ford Trail Control, five driving modes from Normal to Sport, independent front suspension with gas-pressurized shocks and a stabilizer bar, electronic shift-on-the-fly for 4x4 variants, electronic-locking rear differential, rear outboard mounted shocks, and increased track width, making it capable of handling the world's roughest conditions from the Scandinavian winter wonderland to a bridge over the River Kok.

The first-ever Ranger Raptor runs on the same 405HP 3.0L EcoBoost V6 but with a specially-developed 10-speed AT, a full-time 4x4 system with an Electromechanical Transfer Case, 10.7 inches of ground clearance, Ford Trail Control, electronic-locking rear differential, and Fox Racing shocks with Live Valve technology. With the signature Baja Mode set, the Ranger Raptor is ready to trailblaze through the Moab without going FUBAR. It's more than enough to crunch the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 alive in the open.

Asked about safety features, the all-new Ford Ranger is armed with driver-assist features such as Pre-Collision Assist, BLIS, Lane-Keeping System, Rear View Camera, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps. It even comes with a 360-degree camera, Active Park Assist 2.0, Pro-Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Brake Controller, and Tow/Haul Mode on the transmission shifting, giving it better confidence behind the wheel.

The fifth-generation Ford Ranger continues to assert its world-proven credentials with its muscular new design, interior, performance, and technology that makes the Ford Ranger THE Ford Ranger, once and always. It's the official pickup truck of the new normal and whether you're ready or not, it's morphin' time, ladies and gentlemen. You're looking at the world's best Ford Ranger.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

My FH5 Log: Muscle Garbage

Forza Horizon 5's Summer Party update gave us a cesspool of muscle oldies fresh off the garbage bag. That's right, older-generation muscle cars have invaded the summer-themed playlist and we got our hands dirty on scavenging such garbage.

Anyway, let's take a look at the Summer Party dump we've scavenged throughout the course of the update...

This is the Ford XB Falcon that was salvaged from the Wet Season playlist. This car needs no further explanation because this appeared in the Mad Max movies, a car worthy of surviving the post-apocalyptic warzone. Anyway, if you need some info, the XB Falcon is the second phase of the third generation of Ford's Australian-made model, which features minor cosmetic differences from the previous XA model. The XB Falcon features different body styles from a saloon, an estate, a ute, a van, and many others. Engine configurations include a 200ci 6-cylinder, a 250ci 6-cylinder, a 302ci V8, and a powerful 351ci V8. Depending on the engine choices, it can be mated with either a 3-speed MT, a 4-speed MT, or a 3-speed AT. In its involvement in motorsports, a driver named Allan Moffat drove a Falcon to victory in the 1974 Sandown 250 using a GT hardtop model as well as the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship in the same model and the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship, using both the XB and the XC Falcons.

Next up is the DeBerti Ford Mustang, the one we've salvaged from the Summer Party playlist as one of the overall prize cars. Tuned by DeBerti, this facelifted 6th-gen Mustang features a unique grille and a heavily tuned V8 engine producing over seven hundred horsepower.

Salvaged from the Storm Season playlist is the Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird, the winner of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour and immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy a year later. Based on a 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, owner Riley Stair jammed an LSX V8 engine into it and heavily tuned it to produce a thousand horses.

Lastly, fresh off the Hot Season Playlist, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455. It's by no means one of the muscle cars that survived the Oil Crisis to live the tale.

Having gotten to know the latest cesspool of old cars, it's time to give the latest dump a wide variety of challenges to show their worth in these trying times. The XB Falcon will live a Mad Max moment by taking on a post-apocalyptic sandbox curated by Forza resident "GT Deny" while the DeBerti Mustang battles against a pack of unbeatable drivers in an EventLab creation penned by "DorifutoMerc", the Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird racing through the Acceleracers-inspired cave track curated by "AnPsyc0", and the Firebird SD-455 taking on a rather familiar racetrack re-enacted by "TypeHardFark". Alright, let's get this party started.

Launch!

How's the cesspool doing? Are they still doing the shots? Good.

And that's the cesspool of muscle garbage fresh off the FH5 Summer Party update. Expect another wave of toxic waste coming to this game; mostly Italian ones because next week marks the beginning of the Italian Automotive update where Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Abarth, and Lancia are back in the party and you can expect another cesspool of old cars sweeping your way as expected.

Until then, enjoy your new rides!

Ford Mustang - Seventh Generation

The previous-generation Ford Mustang rewrote the history of America's greatest muscle car by taking over the world with its stampede. With its world-renowned dynamics, raw American power, and classic Mustang moments, it really was the turning point for the now world-proven muscle car. Hot on the heels on the road to its 60th anniversary, the seventh-generation Mustang is unleashed, picking up the pieces where its world-proven predecessor left off.

2024 Ford Mustang Convertible

America's longest-running muscle car is now on its seventh generation and the all-new Mustang is locked and loaded with new and exciting features that will show speedo boys worldwide this is the pure alpha and pure omega of the new normal. Speaking of pure omega, it really is because with the competition's gone extinct, this is the only muscle car you'll gonna need in this unstable world.

2024 Ford Mustang

Beginning with the styling, the all-new Mustang looks vaguely similar to the pre-facelifted sixth-generation predecessor but they've sharpened it knife-edge to make the all-new model the sharpest-looking Mustang on the road, be it hardtop or open-top. As expected, the iconic rear view is retained and when the signals flare up, watch out because they're still scary to look at just like someone's full moon.

2024 Ford Mustang interior

2024 Ford Mustang Convertible interior

Sharp the new exterior is, the new interior is a real shock for the speedo boys behind the wheel because of the dual display with a 13.2-inch touchscreen. Although there are buttons and switches involved, navigating through this brand-new touchscreen is a mere herculean task, especially for seasoned Mustang veterans. 

Complain all you want about the dashboard but the optional RECARO seats and a cool-looking handbrake dubbed the Drift Brake adds some fun to your Mustang driving pleasure. As for spacing, it feels slightly roomier compared to its predecessor, although the rear seats are still deemed nearly inaccessible for humans like you, meaning it only works for your pets, a child seat, or some extra goodies in case your 13.5cu.ft. boot space is full.

2024 Ford Mustang

Now, let's talk more about the performance and this is where the seventh-generation Mustang gets its hooves. Of course, the Drift Brake is one of the signature features you can find on this model but let's dig more on the other cool features on this seventh-gen Stang. While retaining the independent rear suspension and line lock from its predecessor, the seventh-generation Mustang features an updated MagneRide Damping System as well as selectable Electric Power-Assisted Steering with three settings. When you get it right, this new model feels so addictive to drive even on the bends. Smoke it all you want because this could be your last muscle car to smoke with for eternity.

Under the hood, the seventh-generation Mustang features two engine choices such as the 2.3L EcoBoost engine with Modular Power Cylinder, producing 315hp of power and 350lb-ft torque, and the fourth-generation 5.0L Coyote V8 engine that produces 486HP of horsepower and 418lb-ft of torque, not to mention the secret Remote Rev feature that allows you to rev the engine with your remote car key. All engines are mated to either a 10-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Those who want more from the Mustang can consider the potent Dark Horse variant packed with the 500HP 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, specially-made 6-speed TREMEC manual, and Brembo brake system.

Addictive the all-new Mustang's performance is but what's not addictive is the implementation of Ford Co-Pilot360 safety features consisting of Auto High-Beam Headlamps, AutoLamp Headlamps, BLIS, Lane-Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with AEB, Post-Impack Braking, Digital Rear View Camera, Rain-Sensing Wipers, and Rear Parking Sensors, among many others.

The all-new seventh-generation Mustang starts at 30,920 US Dollars for the coupe, 39,020 US Dollars for the convertible, and 50,270 US Dollars for the Dark Horse.

With its legendary performance, controversial technology, the unique Drift Brake, and the more potent Dark Horse variant, rest assured that the seventh-generation Mustang is the last word in American performance, and as the competition's gone extinct, this Mustang means forever even until the end of time itself. You'd be glad to have it when you had the chance to drive the last true American muscle car.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

My GT7 Log: Three Legendary Cars

Three Legendary Cars...The three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. What are they? If you remember your GT5 adventures, these three legendary cars ring a bell to you; the Jaguar XJ13, the Ford Mark IV, and the Ferrari 330 P4.

These three legendary race cars feel like they appear once in a blue moon and when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, it's gonna take more than winning difficult races to rack up some eight-figure income to snag the three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. Come unprepared and broke, you'll gonna need to win some money to buy one.

Anyway, just what are these three legendary race cars required to hit the namesake trophy achievement?

Beginning with the Jaguar XJ13, a Le Mans contender that never was. Intended to succeed the legendary D-Type that won Le Mans three years in a row from 1955 to 1957, the XJ13 is Jaguar's first mid-engine race car. Shaped like the E-Type, the XJ13 is fitted with a 5.0L V12 DOHC engine producing 495HP of power. Despite high hopes for racing, Jaguar canceled the XJ13 project as it tries to keep the V12 engine development a secret, and if that wasn't enough, it was badly damaged during filming for a promotional video for the E-Type. Thankfully, it was restored in 2005 in Whitley so it can showcase its exhibition run in Le Mans a year later.

Next is the Ford Mark IV Race Car, Ford's last effort to challenge for the 24 Hours of Le Mans title. Served as a worthy successor to the Le Mans-winning GT40 Mark II race car, the Mark IV is built according to Article J of the FIA vehicle regulation. Although well-known for its aerodynamic form, the Mark IV uses the same engine as the GT40 Mark II but it's been tuned to 523HP of power, making it capable of hitting 215.6mph of top speed. In 1967, it won the Sebring 12-hour race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating Ferrari by five laps.

Lastly, the Ferrari 330 P4, the V12-powered masterpiece dubbed as "the most beautiful machine ever". Made as a response to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40, the 330 P4 features the same 4.0L V12 engine as the P3 but it's been tuned to produce 444HP of power output. Debuted in 1967, it won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Monza 1000km race but lost to the Ford GT40 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite that, it managed to defeat Porsche in the sports car world championships and became a series champion.

These three legendary cars were once destined to win 24-hour races but now, it's time to find out which of the three legendary cars is the superior one.

I've selected the Goodwood Motor Circuit, which has been my go-to track to set lap times on cars bought from the Legend Cars dealership, and with the three legendary cars primed and ready, it's time to commence their one-lap time attack to determine which one is the pure alpha. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Jaguar XJ13 '66 - 1m18.759s

Ford Mark IV Race Car '67 - 1m18.522s

Ferrari 330 P4 '67 - 1m18.331s

What a close result for this legendary trio. Although they have set similar times, it looks like the Ferrari is pure alpha by a narrow margin.

Like I said before, these three legendary cars appear once in a blue moon and if you come unprepared when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, you'll gonna need to win some difficult races to rack up such a herculean income to invest in one of these masterpieces. 

Fortune favors the prepared. Keep on racing and keep on winning if you are itching to grab all three legendary race cars when the opportunity arises. Miss one of these and you'll gonna have to wait for a long time for these vintage racers to reappear so keep your eyes open and be sure to have enough funding because...it's going to be a long night.

Never stop driving.

My FH5 Log: Rise of the #PrimeDay Beasts

You guessed it, it's Prime Day again. The once-a-year event is where the heavy beasts have gone uncaged and become bats out of hell for the most insane moments of their lives.

For the second time in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to celebrate Prime Day by letting these beasts roar and this year, it's going to get even more feral as the cars I used last year, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the Pagani Zonda R, are rejoined by the Renault Megane RS 250, the hot hatchback that I won back at the #FORDZATHON series update last January.

Ah yes, the beasts of Prime Day. They're the Jurassic menace I'm talking about because they are business and leisure without compromise. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, to the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these unstoppable missiles are the heavy beasts only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode.

From the moment the F-150 SVT Raptor battles against a HALO jumper, a Renaultsport Megane III battling against a Porsche Boxster, to the Zonda R going all-out, you can really hear these high-performance cannibals roaring to the sounds of prime. These heavy beasts really are badass. Yes!

Since we got the Horizon Badlands on schedule, it's time to give these heavy beasts the most insane races of their lives in select Horizon Raptors venues, just to showcase their technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only the Megane and the Zonda got that part.

From as far as Arizona and Rockingham, these heavy beasts come all the way to Mexico, determined to take on the Horizon Raptors. The challenge is on!

THIS...IS...PRIME DAY!!!

From the Zonda R's race-derived technology, and the Megane's lightness, to the F-150 SVT Raptor's brutal power, these unstoppable missiles made PRIME DAY the Jurassic menace you don't want to mess with. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive these heavy beasts mixing business and leisure without compromise.

See you next PRIME DAY. (Tiger Roar)

My FH5 Log: Pick Up, Pack Down

The Explore the Horizon update on Forza Horizon 5 isn't just more than the powered-up Photo Mode update, Pathfinder challenges, two Cupra crossovers, and new overland parts on selected offroaders, it's about four American trucks taking centerstage on Horizon Mexico; a modified F-250 with a unique party piece, two classic American trucks, and the long-awaited arrival of the GMC Hummer EV.

Now that I got all of the four prize trucks over the course of the Explore the Horizon update, it's time to take a gander at my recent hauls;

In the Wet Season, I got my hands on the DeBerti Ford F-250 Transformer, it's a modified F-250 truck made possible by DeBerti Design that wowed the crowd at the 2019 SEMA Show. Aside from numerous modifications, it features unique tool drawers and hidden storage beneath the fiberglass fender.

In the Storm Season, I got the keys to the seventh-generation Ford F-150, the model that redefined the F-150 lineage because it was the first to feature the Ford Blue Oval grille emblem, the diesel variant, and an optional dashboard with a full set of instruments.

The second-generation Chevrolet K10 truck became part of my FH5 garage ever since winning one in the Dry Season. Mind you, because this is the 1972 model year K10, it's qualified to be designated as a "vintage car" if you know what I mean. This is part of the "Action Line" C/K models produced from 1967 to 1972 and over its span, it received numerous updates and underwent a mid-cycle refresh for the 1971 model year.

Lastly, and obviously the best one, the GMC Hummer EV that I won from the Hot Season. Signaling the return of the Hummer name in the age of the new normal, the GMC Hummer EV features a three-motor powertrain generating 1,000hp of power and 15,591Nm of torque in its top-spec Edition 1 variant, capable of going from 0-60mph in three seconds. In addition, it features adaptive air suspension with available Extract Mode, a choice of 35 to 37-inch tires, underbody armor, Ultravision, removable Sky Panel roof sections, Watts to Freedom, MultiPro tailgate, and CrabWalk. Sadly, we can't do CrabWalk in the game but Watts to Freedom? Engage Launch Control and see it for yourself.

With all four American trucks now part of the FH5 family, it's time to give them some necessary roughness they deserved and with the FH5 Rally Adventure still open for business, let's give these American truckers their moment of glory as they're tackling through the rough against the competition. Roll the tapes!

Having enjoyed all four trucks in the game, which one is the favorite? For me, it's got to be the Hummer EV. Sure, it's a massive monster to handle but I had a blast to drive the ultimate electric truck that caused a lot of stir since its world premiere and gained a two thumbs-up by LeBron James himself.

This unboxing is finished but I still have a word with the GMC Hummer EV. Watch for it. It's gonna be interesting...

My FH5 Log: Lightning Round

Those who enjoyed Forza Horizon 5's Rally Adventure expansion and conquered the Horizon Badlands Goliath have been granted access to the expansion's hero car, the all-new all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Having got the keys to this electric truck, I am curious about the new Lightning and how it performs across the Horizon Badlands.

Now is the time for a lightning round with the all-new F-150 Lightning and how it compares against the old F-150 SVT Lightning, the one with the Ford GT engine in it.

Here they are, the two Lightnings, the old petrol-powered one and the new electrified one, tackling each other like football players during the conference finals. How do these two Lightnings stack up?

The Ford SVT Lightning is based on the two-door version of the 10th-generation F-150 and one of the early forays to the high-performance truck gig. It comes with a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine that churns out 380HP and 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds.

The new F-150 Lightning is based on the 14th-generation F-150 and it features two electric motors powering all four wheels and can be bolted with either a 98 kWh or a 131 kWh battery pack. With the latter, it generates about 563 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 0-60 mph time in the mid-4-second range. As for the driving range, it's good for up to 320 miles while running on the extended-range variant.

Having gotten to know about these two Lightning trucks, it's time to see which one is the strongest lightning of all. Is it the petrol-powered, rear-wheel-drive F-150 SVT Lightning or the all-electric, all-new F-150 Lightning? Let's find out with a quick sprint race across the quarry. Ready, set, go!

And now, the results...

F-150 SVT Lightning - 3m10.340s

F-150 Lightning - 2m59.546s

Although fans of the original F-150 Lightning may not like it, the all-electric reboot managed to trump the OG by nearly eleven seconds. Now that's what they called The Eleventh Hour. What a golden hour for the electric pickup.

Looks like the F-150 Lightning has proven its worth in the Badlands with its electric powertrain and legendary F-150 capabilities and now that I got to know about this electrified offroader, it's back to business in the Badlands. Although I've cleared most of the rally stages, looks like the whole world's on my tail, itching to have some fun in the Badlands.

Ready for some old-school fun in the Badlands? You bet I am because this is Horizon. Everything's possible.

See you next time!

My GT7 Log: Stars and Us

The first-generation BMW M2 and the Ford Focus Mk3 RS are the coolest things to come out from the mid-2010s. No, I'm not referring to some orangutan who drove both of these cars from a certain streaming TV show. I'm thinking about the starry feeling about these two mid-2010s sports cars.

Both the M2 and the Focus RS are compact midsized sports car wonders that satisfy most drivers behind the wheel. The dynamics and character made these two special in every way but just how different between these two?

Beginning with the Ford Focus Mk3 RS, is known to be the last American hot hatch offered on American soil, although it was fully imported from Europe. It has a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that produces 320PS and it has the strongest braking system ever made for a Ford. Despite being 4WD, the Focus Mk3 RS features Drift Mode that allows this hatchback to drift like a rear-wheel-drive car.

When the first BMW M2 was launched, this successor to the 1M Coupe is powered by a 3.0L six-cylinder turbo engine that produces 370HP of power and 465Nm of torque. It can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed M DCT for the purpose of being quick on the line. The M2 featured in Gran Turismo 7 is the facelifted version, the M2 Competition. This version saw its engine power bumped to 405HP thanks to a new S55 engine sourced from its M4 big brother, capable of hitting a top speed of 280kph thanks to an optional package.

Having gotten to know these two, it's time to give these shining stars a one-lap drive toward memory lane at Brands Hatch. Man, it's just like I remembered. A long time ago in an upside-down country far far away, I put these two on a heated sprint race and found out that the less powerful Focus RS trumped the M2 by a narrow margin.

Now, here we are. Doing this stint again but this time, this is Gran Turismo 7. The M2 went through greater heights while the Focus RS remained the same. Still, what a reunion these two stars are, and looks like they're going to settle this again, this time at Brands Hatch. Roll the tape.

After the two have the time of their lives, here are the results;

BMW M2 Competiton '18 - 1m45.442s

Ford Focus RS '18 - 1m48.725s

It looks like the M2 is the winner of this...friendly rivalry between the two stars.

Rivals! Friends and foe alike, today and tomorrow! It's been an honor to drive these two machines once more even in a different game like Gran Turismo 7.

Sure, the Focus RS is already gone for good while the BMW M2's story continues in new and exciting ways, but these two are proven to be the most enjoyable machines not because of the performance and dynamics but because of the charm they possess. Something reminded us of a certain rivalry a long time ago. 

Sounds girly but it's all about dreaming and rolling. Get it? Dreaming and rolling, that's what these two cars are all about and I love them for it.

Keep your dreams rolling, no matter where you are!