• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AutoNews.NZ

  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Medium-sized cars
    • Small cars
    • Large cars
    • 4x4s
    • People-movers
    • SUV-large
    • SUV-luxury
    • SUV-medium
    • SUV-compact
    • Sports cars
    • Luxury cars
    • Hybrid cars
    • Ute
  • Cars & Watches
  • Bike World
  • Tech
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Spy videos
Home » Ford-owned Troller TX4 is another boys’ toy from Brazil

Ford-owned Troller TX4 is another boys’ toy from Brazil

February 11, 2020 by Alastair Sloane

The last time Ford imported Brazilian-made models to New Zealand was in 2002, in the form of the F250 and F350 pick-up trucks from the company’s South American right-hand drive assembly line.

Ford’s marketing people reckoned they’d be the bee’s knees for New Zealand’s ‘Southern man’, the mythical tough guy around which advertising agencies at the time built campaigns.

The first shipment of 4×2 and 4×4 models did indeed go to buyers in the South Island. Ford said the trucks “provide us with an opportunity to meet the needs of customers looking for a vehicle somewhere between the smaller Japanese one-tonners and larger, full-scale trucks.”

Troller-TX4-2

There were two engine choices: a 5.4-litre petrol V8 delivering 194kW/475Nm and a 7.3-litre turbo-diesel V8 putting out 175kW/684Nm. Prices ranged from $80,100 to $102,500.

The big diesel – the biggest capacity engine in the Ford line-up – had been a reliable performer for many years, but it was dropped from the US market soon after the F250 and F350 landed in NZ because it couldn’t meet new emissions rules.

It was replaced by a 6.0-litre unit for North America but continued to be built for South America, Australia and NZ, where emissions requirements were not as strict.

Troller-TX4-4

There were rumblings from an affronted green lobby at the time about NZ being a dumping ground for old US technology.

But the country had for many years been a dumping ground for used diesel imports from Japan and elsewhere. They’re still coming in, puffing along inside a cloud bank of evil-smelling diesel fumes.

The F250 and F350 came and went and one-tonne utes stayed put. Now another Ford of Brazil model is attracting interest, from off-road enthusiasts in Britain and the US.

Troller-TX4-1

It’s the go-anywhere Troller TX4, from Ford-owned Troller Veiculos Especials. Its predecessor, the T4 series has been around in different forms for more than 20 years and has competed with some success in the gruelling Dakar Rally.

Ford has owned Troller since 2007. The TX4 is a brawnier 2020 version of the two-door T4 launched in 2018. It has a fibreglass body and is based on a shortened version of the Ranger ute’s platform. Price in Brazil is roughly equivalent to upwards of NZ$55,000.

Under the bonnet is the familiar five-cylinder147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre diesel mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. There’s a switchable four-wheel-drive system with both high- and low-range modes, live Dana axles, and a locking rear differential.

Troller-TX4-3

Other off-road upgrades include a snorkel, auxiliary Hella LED lighting, Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tyres, steel bumpers, rock sliders, and dedicated two-tone liveries with orange interior accents pieces, stitching, and TX4 embroidered backrests.

The TX4 comes standard with a front air snorkel intake for wading, rocker panels, a Naval Blue front grille and either a Trancoso Brown, Maragogi Green or Frosted Silver paint coat.

A 6.75-inch touchscreen can be used to operate a JBL sound system that’s compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. Other standard creature comforts include dual-zone digital air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors and a 12-volt outlet.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Highlights, Industry news, Latest news Tagged With: Ford

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

Footer

Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

Recent

  • Spoilt for choice: plug-in sales up 150.0%
  • Kia eyes further growth with $52,690 4WD ute 
  • Early morning glory on ice, Audi style
  • Volkswagen tackles Chinese with new ‘people’s car’ 
  • ‘I bought this car before Elon lost his mind’

Tags

Aston martin audi bentley BMW Car reviews Citroen Electric cars Electric vehicles Ferrari Fiat Chrysler Ford Ford Mustang Holden honda hyundai jaguar jeep kia land rover latest news Lexus Lotus Maserati mazda Mclaren mercedes Mercedes-Benz mini Mitsubishi Nissan NZ car sales peugeot porsche range rover skoda spy Subaru suzuki Tesla tips and advice Toyota videos Volkswagen volvo VW

Copyright © 2025 · WordPress Hosting by WPhost