AUTOMATIC CHOICE
Ford's next-generation Ranger, a significant new model not just for the 4x4 and ute markets but for the overall new-car market in Australia, isn't available with a manual gearbox.
No manual, of course, in Toyota's 300 Series LandCruiser, as there wasn't with the 200 Series. And you can no longer buy a manual Prado or a manual in the other popular 4x4 wagons: Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest. There's also a good chance the next-generation Hilux will be auto-only, at least in up-spec 4x4 variants.
Meanwhile over at Land Rover/Range Rover, manual gearboxes disappeared long ago, while Jeep doesn't offer a manual at all, not even in the Wrangler Rubicon.
Lack of buyer demand, claims Ford, is the reason it doesn't offer a manual in the new Ranger. A manual is available with the new Ranger in some overseas markets, just not here in Australia. Lack of buyer demand is also the reason why Toyota dropped the manual option from the Prado.
Denne historien er fra January 2023-utgaven av 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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Denne historien er fra January 2023-utgaven av 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
KING OF THE HIGHWAY
WE PUT A FORD F-150 ON THE FLEET TO SAMPLE LIFE WITH A FULL-SIZE AMERICAN PICKUP
TRITON TIME
OUR RESIDENT SNAPPER HAS THE KEYS TO A MITSUBISHI TRITON GLS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
TOP 5 QUEENSLAND SUMMER ESCAPES
THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF STUNNING SUMMER 4X4 SOJOURNS IN THE SUNSHINE STATE
LAND OF PREHISTORIC PALMS
PALM VALLEY IS HOME TO ANCIENT AND UNIQUE PALMS AND THE MIGHTY FINKE RIVER, AND IT'S READY TO EXPLORE
MADIGAN'S HEART
THE SIMPSON DESERT CAN BE A BUSY PLACE IN PEAK SEASON, BUT A RUN ACROSS THE NORTHERN MADIGAN LINE CAN STILL PROVIDE THE ISOLATION MANY SEEK IN A RED CENTRE CROSSING
PRADO ROCKS ON
TOYOTA AUSTRALIA HAS LAUNCHED ITS 2025 PRADO, AND FITTINGLY DID SO IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, A PLACE THE TOP-SPECIFICATION PRADO KAKADU WEARS ON ITS BADGE
UTILITY BLADE
WALKINSHAW-FETTLED BLADE SITS AT THE POINTY END OF THE D-MAX LINE-UP
BILLY'S BEACH BUGGY
THIS SUPERCHARGED V8-POWERED TOYOTA LANDCRUISER FJ40 COULD BE THE PERFECT SUMMER BEACH CRUISER
TAMING THE BEAST
4X4 AUSTRALIA'S NEW VDJ79 BUILD GETS UNDERWAY WITH A SUSPENSION AND GVM UPGRADE FROM TERRAIN TAMER
CORRUGATIONS.SAND, AND SPINIFEX
WHEN TALKING LEGENDARY TRACKS, THE CANNING STOCK ROUTE HAS THE TITLE OF LONGEST HISTORICAL STOCK ROUTE IN THE WORLD, BUT TACKLING ITS 1850KM IN A 1970S LAND ROVER MAKES FOR ONE INTERESTING DRIVE FOR THE TV CREW FROM SERIOUSLY SERIES. YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF BY VIEWING ROAD TO RUIN
