The Thailand Special Thread - New Developments/News

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Raptor R?

No it’s supposed to be Ranger project post 2028….should be starting in 2025
The hunt is on to confirm this, copying link before it disappears on me…
There’s also Bronco as U765 but there’s also BEV Bronco and Transit on the new TE1 F Series electric architecture
And a P765 BEV Ranger on TE1 as well….(this is the joint Ranger-F Series that well placed experts scoffed at a few years ago)

[kevino]

Can you get one of those plans for Ford Europe?

Ford USA are just into big vehicles I guess that’s a USA thing

[PooDog]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You said, “ then igniting batteries and burning to the ground”

With respect, you’re conflating two things - the under hood temperature is the issue with hybrids
Thermal runaway is a battery issue in BEVs with much biap
The batteries in C2 hybrids are mounted under the front right seat.

At the time I submitted that post I wasn't aware of the battery issue ? I based my post on an article I read (can't remember the site ) and they were discussing the block breaches and sump breaches and stated that fumes from the block /sump breaches were catching fire from the fumes which thy never stated where they were coming from I presumed oil from the sump/block was hitting the exhaust or similar then the subsequent fire transferring to the battery .....I thought the whole in the block was the more relevant issue ? The battery fire is just what seams to be the result of an EV/hybrid being unstoppable once they get going and burn to the ground

[PooDog]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You said, “ then igniting batteries and burning to the ground”

With respect, you’re conflating two things - the under hood temperature is the issue with hybrids
Thermal runaway is a battery issue in BEVs with much bigger batteries.

The batteries in C2 hybrids are mounted under the front right seat.

The underhoood temperature is also the problem when there's a fire in the engine bay which spreads igniting the battery and burning it to the ground

With respect, I don't understand why this bothers you ......wasn't trying to bag out Ford I just thought potential buyers had a right to know ?

[kevino]

JPD might work for Ford or a dealer.

[Sprintey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmeCC6OvNGg

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmeCC6OvNGg

Seems like the Hilux's bull bar acted like a ramp in reverse.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by kevino

JPD might work for Ford or a dealer.

I’ll give you a tip:

Dealers know “zero” about future product plans, until release is imminent.

[XR Martin]

Those old PJ/PK Rangers are death traps

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-hospital.html

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Those old PJ/PK Rangers are death traps

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-hospital.html

Apart from the brutally hard ride, the lack of safety was a huge factor in me trading my PK in on a PX II. The only safety inclusions on mine were seatbelts and dual airbags, nothing more.

[Sprintey]

The disparity in damage between what the Jeep received and the old Ranger was disturbing.

When working mines in the 00's I wondered why the minesite Hilux could be imported 3 star when a Commodore ute locally made had to be 5 star.

[DFB FGXR6]

Victoria Police retires Holden Colorado in favour of new Ford Ranger

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...ew-ford-ranger

"The police department says this month the latest-generation Ranger will begin replacing more than 250 utes currently in use across its fleet, including the old Colorado and previous-generation Ranger.

Every month for the next two years, 15 new Ford Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo models will be delivered to Victoria Police."

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Apart from the brutally hard ride, the lack of safety was a huge factor in me trading my PK in on a PX II. The only safety inclusions on mine were seatbelts and dual airbags, nothing more.

My B2600 doesn't have airbags or ABS, you got seatbelts and brakes - that's it

I thought about it driving through the forest this morning that if someone else comes the opposite way a bit too enthusiasticly, hopefully I'm dead and not a vegetable.

[Franco Cozzo]

First Drive: Toyota's $10,000 Pickup Truck Is Perfect. So, Why Are We Sad?
This Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series lookalike is a no-frills, cost-reduced Hilux flatbed/pickup optimized for lower-GDP markets.

The Toyota Tacoma pickup is built in America for Americans and Canadians, to dodge the "chicken tax," but 181 other countries around the world get the Toyota Hilux pickup. It looks a bit like our Tacoma, but more basic. You'd recognize it from global news footage of relief aid or conflict areas. Well, apparently it had gotten a trifle fancy and at about $15,200 to start, it was pricing itself out of some of those markets. The Toyota IMV 0 intends to fill in that low-cost space beneath the Hilux with a target starting price of $10,000. It made its debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, wearing cool Land Cruiser 70 Series style. Shortly after the Tokyo show, we took one for a spin.

Back to Basics

Toyota has rethought every inch if this truck with an eye toward cost optimization and delivering everything that's absolutely necessary and nothing that's not. The development team even invited upfitters from around the globe to weigh in on how to better optimize the chassis and cab for to prepare them for aftermarket builds. Here are some the changes, what's still included, or what's been left out:

All flat glazing for the windshield, side, and rear windows
Flatbed with no sides as standard, with a limited number of upgrades like the drop-side model we drove
No anti-lock braking, but a load-sensitive proportioning valve is standard, and ABS will be optional (Hilux's standard ABS makes it difficult for upfitters to install heavier-duty rear axles)
No airbags (these will also be optionally available or standard in some markets)
No armrests, just door pockets that double as door pulls
Crank windows
Plastic and rubber galore inside
Hilux control-arm, coil-sprung front/leaf-sprung rear chassis easily upgraded for higher GVWR

Gas or Diesel 4-Cylinder Power

Exact powertrain specs have not been disclosed, but we presume our example was fitted with the Hilux's entry 2.0-liter 139-hp four-cylinder gas engine and a five-speed manual transmission. (We're guessing the diesel will be the 2.4-liter 150-hp Hilux unit, but several engines are likely to be offered.)

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...mobility-show/

Australian version will have airbags and ABS, and priced competitively with the VDJ79 at only $105,000 DA.

[GT1533]

Latest report from Monash Uni Accident Research Centre:

https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets...2023-final.pdf

No Thai special makes it into the list of a Safer Pick. Yet they are the top selling vehicles in Australia. That’s a disgrace.

However, a now 15 year old FG Falcon sedan still makes the list.

[Sprintey]

Got to drive my cruiser out on the tarmac with the big planes for work

https://www.news.com.au/travel/trave...5d45214182eeb5

this guy must have been distracted...

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...mobility-show/

Australian version will have airbags and ABS, and priced competitively with the VDJ79 at only $105,000 DA.

that looks shiiite!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by mad2

that looks shiiite!

I think its made for third world countries,

So its perfect for Melbourne

[Sprintey]

That 3rd world one looks like someone left the gate open and a Rukus got into the Hilux ewes.

[PooDog]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

That 3rd world one looks like someone left the gate open and a Rukus got into the Hilux ewes.

Or .....maybe the Cybertruck got into the ewes

[Franco Cozzo]

I reckon they won't offer to the Australian market because it'll cannibalize Hilux Workmate 4x2 sales if it's around say $19,990 DA

Would be the perfect farm ute or low cost delivery vehicle

[Sprintey]

The War On Utes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jh8IasRLQ0

[fatgas]

Just found this rather informative discussion.

Had a bloke relate two acronyms to me today:

TSV and LDV, Thailux Special Vehicles and Low Dollar Vehicle

I larfed

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

The War On Utes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jh8IasRLQ0

I wouldn't be surprised to see that when this gets legislated the taxes would be even higher...look at the Government's record of broken promises regarding superannuation tax changes and the Stage 3 tax cuts.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/federa...for-its-axing/

Shouldn't the Luxury Car Tax have gone away when local manufacturing did? Wasn't that the whole point? To protect local manufacturing?

[jgmdat]

Had my Raptor for a week now and it is the best ute I have owned since my XR8 & GS. Sorry Franco but the Thailand Special as you call it, really is special.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by jgmdat

Had my Raptor for a week now and it is the best ute I have owned since my XR8 & GS. Sorry Franco but the Thailand Special as you call it, really is special.

I notice the one you like has circa 300KW though, its not exactly representative of 99% of them on our roads, its also only existed for about a year

Speaking of Thailand Specials - Kia Ute update:

https://www.kia.com/au/cars/ute/coming-soon.html

2025 Kia Tasman ute confirmed for Australia, first official look

This is our first official look at the Kia Tasman ute, teased online and in a new TV advertisement that all but confirms its Australia and New Zealand-relevant name.

Kia Australia has formally confirmed plans to unveil its first ute before the end of this year ahead of showroom arrivals next year.

Expressions of interest have opened for the diesel dual-cab Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival, which is all but confirmed to wear the Tasman name after the badge was trademarked by Kia late last year.

Kia promises it will be the company's "most Australian product ever", with Australia at the centre of the ute's development, and its suspension to be tuned for local roads.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2025-k...lly-confirmed/

I bet they shit the bed and go 4 cylinder only, which is a big miss for our market.

Gayer than AIDS name though - 'Tasman'.

[jgmdat]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I notice the one you like has circa 300KW though, its not exactly representative of 99% of them on our roads, its also only existed for about a year

Speaking of Thailand Specials - Kia Ute update:

https://www.kia.com/au/cars/ute/coming-soon.html



https://www.drive.com.au/news/2025-k...lly-confirmed/

I bet they shit the bed and go 4 cylinder only, which is a big miss for our market.

Gayer than AIDS name though - 'Tasman'.

I for one am just happy that it exists.

[CyberWasp]

Being last to market it would want to be good.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Being last to market it would want to be good.

I have my doubts

I reckon they will overlook 6 cylinder power and it'll be some 4 cylinder special at high prices.

They claim they're benchmarking the Ranger, but I bet they're benchmarking the 2.2L job

[CyberWasp]

The biggest problem is that there is one of these lurking in every car company.