A few years ago, I was only dreaming of becoming a Spartan. I took a leap of faith by taking on a Spartan Race back in 2022 in the midst of a hurricane, running through a 10-kilometer muddy trail.

In case you didn’t know, Spartan Race is the world’s premier obstacle course race hosted across the globe. It tests the limits and grit of an athlete, transforming anyone to be their strongest and most unbreakable self.

Three races in and I’ve clocked a total of 36 kilometers, ending the year as a full-fledged Spartan. A 10-kilometer muddy trail in Vermosa; a 5-kilometer trail run inside Timberland Heights; and a 21-kilometer mixed trail in Alviera.

As the 2023 season begins, I was dead-set on taking my first Age Group (competitive) category and a back-to-back race on the same day. All my gears were Spartan-ready, and all that was left was a vehicle appropriate for a Spartan.

Spartan-grade vehicle

In my quest to prepare for my most enduring race yet, Ford lent me the Next-Gen Ford Ranger. The Next-Gen Ford Ranger arrived in a Blue Lightning colorway, emanating strength and speed. It was instantly a head-turner, catching the attention of other commuters and passersby.

Everything about the Ranger screams Spartan. The vehicle exudes the same ethos we live for. It’s battle-ready, extremely durable, and insanely powerful.

Previous races L-R: Vermosa 10K Trail (September 2022), Timberland 5K Sprint (November 2022), Alviera 21K Trail (December 2022)

Not to mention, it has striking looks — which I always exude whenever I take on a race. How can you get noticed by event photographers if you won’t play with colors, right?

It looked strong and it made us feel powerful. “Us” as a collective because the emotional state doesn’t just pulsate with the driver, but also with its passengers. One weekend with the Ranger and we felt like warriors. Ready to take on any challenges that we can conquer.

Made for Spartans

Just because I’m a Spartan doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the creature comforts the Next-Gen Ford Ranger brings. In fact, I am trained to be uncomfortable but the vehicle’s features allow me to pursue the Spartan lifestyle.

Call it a paradox but we take the convenience of having a comfortable ride and/or drive so we can train our minds and bodies to be familiar with pain and discomfort. As a modern-day Spartan, life isn’t all about battles and preparing for war under the heat of the sun.

We wage our fights through our day jobs, balancing our personal lives, while also developing our bodies to be ready for sports.

Having a tech-infused vehicle enables me to freely pursue the life of a Spartan. If you’re familiar with Ford’s driving experience, which we have mentioned several times here in GadgetMatch, it’s always buttery-smooth.

Even with a humongous body, I can maneuver the steering wheels easily. As someone who drives small cars, I felt the heft and the pain of driving a bigger automobile. But the features packed inside the vehicle made driving smoother — both for rookies and seasoned drivers.

When a smartphone and a vehicle match!

With every technology update to Ford’s lineup of automobiles, it’s becoming more of a tech machine each year. The Next-Gen Ford Ranger is no exception with the ability to use FordPass Connect. If you’ve been living under a rock, FordPass is Ford’s newest technology utilizing remote control functions for the vehicle through an app.

When I was in a hurry and I couldn’t locate my keys, I used the FordPass app on my iPhone to remotely unlock the Ford Ranger. Through the app, I was able to remotely start the vehicle so I can turn on the air conditioner even before I step in. I was also able to stop the engine, lock the car, and check the fuel level — all in one space.

What I like the most is the vehicle locator feature, which allows me to find the Ford Ranger in crowded parking areas. Thankfully, I didn’t have to use the feature when the Ranger was parked in Vermosa’s gravel lot since I was the only one with a vehicle in a striking blue colorway.

Aside from FordPass, the accessibility and ease of use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowed everyone to connect with the vehicle to help in navigation and music playback. We sang “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus while on our way to Alabang so we can hopefully shake our pre-race jitters.

I personally love the bigger, best-in-class 12-inch portrait touchscreen that allows me to see an overview of the map, adjust music playback, and even have a space for responding to calls and messages.

The perfect companion for an endurance race

For a pick-up truck, the Ranger offers extremely comfortable space for its passengers. We picked up Alison — my friend, a teacher, and an elite athlete — partaking in the first race of the weekend. Alison competed with elite and national athletes, hopefully qualifying for the national team.

Alison, together with other competitive athletes, gleefully took some rest in the back seat while in transit. They loved the leg space and the coziness the couches offered. The same experience goes for the front passenger seat, which I took as I was playing with the car’s features while my friend Betty took on the wheels.

When female Spartans are lovin’ it

Perhaps, the people who enjoyed the Ranger the most are Spartan women that I befriended after my first race. Jomi and Betty, competitive athletes who are consistently part of the Top 10 of their respective age groups, took over the wheel while I was exploring the Ranger’s features and technology.

Recently, I have learned that the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is officially the best 4×4 and pick-up according to the Women’s World Car of the Year judges. It won for a multitude of reasons; the same reasons that Jomi and Betty loved when they experienced driving the Ranger.

From excellent ride and handling, a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies and other safety features, an upgraded chassis and suspension, and the bold and confident look that resonates with strong, independent women. What more can they ask for?

Fostering a sense of community

What I love about the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is how it builds a sense of community, the same way a Spartan race brings people together. Parked in the gravels of Vermosa, the Ford Ranger became a holding area for my friends and teammates.

We used the cargo box to house our bags, equipment, and food. We were able to gather behind, passing jokes and drinks after an exhilarating day.

I used to do things alone and now, I’m surrounded by like-minded people — which was the best plot twist I’ve had so far. And even if it’s just for a weekend, I’m grateful that the Next-Gen Ford Ranger helped in making my first competitive and back-to-back race memorable.

Even with an aching body, the Ranger offered a smooth, safe, and reliable ride on our way home. It’s definitely a Spartan-grade vehicle, made for modern-day Spartans.

The Next-Gen Ford Ranger comes with a 5-year warranty. The longer warranty offering will cover the Next-Gen Ranger for up to 5 years or a total mileage of up to 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

For more information, visit the Ford Ranger page on the website to reserve the next-gen Ranger through www.ford.com.ph or check your nearest Ford dealer.

Fast-paced sports need fast-paced connections. It’s hardly surprising that technology now goes hand-in-hand with today’s sports wherein real-time information is a necessity. Now, after a brief stint with Ferrari, Qualcomm is teaming up with Mercedes-AMG on the Formula 1 grid.

Last year, the chipmaker announced a surprising partnership with Ferrari’s Formula 1 team. At the time, Qualcomm joined Google as one of the major technology brands involved in Formula 1. However, unlike Google’s more visible motifs on McLaren’s livery, Qualcomm’s partnership with Ferrari was more subtle.

Since Mercedes-AMG recently unveiled its livery for the upcoming season, Qualcomm is approaching its new partnership in the same way. The brand’s logo is subtly displayed on the car’s rear wing. The team’s garage and clothing will also don the logo for this season.

Naturally, the partnership goes beyond the logo. The team will use Qualcomm technologies to improve its performance on the track. The chipmaker will also help with the team’s fan experiences, in-person and in virtual worlds.

Mercedes-AMG and Qualcomm are now in a multi-year partnership. Expect to see the chipmaker’s logo for years to come.

Now, in the world of Formula 1, Mercedes-AMG remains one of the teams to look out for. Along with Red Bull and Ferrari, the team makes up a part of the big three actively competing for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

SEE ALSO: Google, Android partners with McLaren Racing

The next-generation Ford Ranger became a staple sight on local roads after it officially arrived in the Philippines back in July 2022.

With a growing number of owners, next-generation Ford Ranger owners share what’s it like to use the pick-up truck and how it blends seamlessly into their day-to-day life.

Pampanga-based website developer and part-time photographer Philip Vino and Cebu-based associate manager Earl Cuevas detail the experience of driving the Ford Ranger’s exciting features and upgrades.

Style and comfort

The upgraded look and improved handling of the next-gen Ranger proved to be a match to Philip’s lifestyle. “A pick-up truck is really ideal for my needs. As a young driver, I prefer a pick-up truck that looks good and matches my personality. I’m always in remote locations due to the nature of my job, so I need a vehicle that can keep up with my busy schedule, and I found it in the next-gen Ranger,” says Philip.

For Earl, there was something fresh about the next-gen Ranger’s exterior and overall look. “The headlamps are too handsome. Inside, the ride comfort is outstanding. It doesn’t feel like a pick-up truck as the ride feels really premium,” he shares.

In photo: Philip Vino | Image by Ford Philippines

Power and efficiency

The next-gen Ford Ranger gives Philip and Earl a more than capable driving package with a reliable powertrain that balances power and efficiency.

“Driving to neighboring towns and provinces like Subic, Bataan, Zambales, or all the way to Metro Manila and Tagaytay is so easy and convenient with the next-gen Ranger,” Philip shares. He also raves about its fuel efficiency. “A single full tank was almost enough for our 14-day stay in Baguio,” he adds.

Earl, who frequently drives around Cebu because of the nature of his job, applauded the vehicle’s driving capabilities across different terrains. “I have clients who live far from the city and up in the mountains as well, so it’s great to have a truck that is so capable to take me wherever I need to go,” he says.

Technology

Earl and Philip both love the technology that is equipped in the next-gen Ranger. For Philip, the Apple Carplay and 360-degree camera are some of the most useful driver-assist technologies that make driving both a safe and interactive experience.

In photo: Earl Cuevas | Image by Ford Philippines

With the introduction of FordPass last year, both owners are enjoying remote access to their next-gen Ranger trucks with a simple tap on their mobile devices. “We are all aware of how hot it can get in our country. With FordPass, I can remotely start my truck and turn on the air conditioner. My passengers are definitely happy and excited to ride the truck,” says Philip.

Driving experience

Both Philip and Earl are happy with choosing the next-gen Ford Ranger as their daily driver. “It’s a highly recommended truck if you’re looking for a vehicle that can drive you to your workplace and take you to new places and destinations on weekends. You get the best of both worlds,” Philip shares.

For Earl, “There are plenty of choices in the market right now. It will depend on the buyer’s preference, but for me, the next-gen Ranger is one of the best in terms of interior, ride comfort, and exterior design.”

The next-gen Ranger comes with a 5-year warranty to enhance the 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.

Customers can visit the Ford Ranger page on the website to reserve their next-gen Ranger. For more information, visit www.ford.com.ph or your nearest Ford dealer.