My top 3 favourite Pickups Trucks Review

Three of my favourits   pickup trucks 

Many of you have seen or have driven at least one of these famously known pickup tricks from the Toyota Hilux to the Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara.

These cars have revolutionized our lives, facilitated the transportation of goods, and navigated us through the most challenging terrains.

They are more than just vehicles; they are a part of our culture, influencing our social status, fostering connections, and bringing people together.

Let's explore these incredible machines that any person would love to own.

1. Ford Ranger

The top spot for best pickup trucks goes to the Ford Ranger, which has been the best-selling car of 2023. It is a mid-size pickup available in two types: the Ford Ranger Turbodiesel V6 and the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharge as standard.

But even better, there is an additional option available: the more powerful twin-turbo gas-fired V-6 engine.

Let's take a closer look at the Ford Ranger 4 Cylinder, which is commonly found in many countries.

The 4-cylinder Ford Ranger is available in the compact form of the Ford Ranger Wildtrack. It has a power output of 154kW and a torque of 500Nm. The transmission is a 10-speed automatic with a 4x4 part-time system, allowing for high-performance traction that can be turned on and off in off-road situations.

Engine, transmission, and Performance.

The entry-level Ranger comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower.

The twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine is available on higher trims and produces 315 horsepower.

Both transmissions are 10-speed automatics and are compatible with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations.

Speed.

The four-cylinder engine is estimated to reach a speed of 0-60 MPH in 6.5 seconds.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Ford Ranger can tow up to 3,401 kg, but with the four-wheel drive system, its payload decreases to a maximum of 770 kg.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Ford Ranger four-cylinder consumes 80L mpd within city limits and 95L mpg on highways with rear-wheel drive but drops by 1 mpg for a four-wheel drive.

For the V6 it is estimated to consume a fuel of 21L mpg city and 95L mpg highway.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features.

The rangers come with a basic driver assistance feature but are more significant in high-ranges 

These are some specific safety features for Rangers 

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available adaptive cruise control

Global sales statics

In 2023, Ford sold around 1 million units of its cars globally; this year, it has sold 86,000 units. 

2. Toyota Hilux.

This car is one of my personal favorites. I have driven it. It's extremely durable, tough, and can last for decades. The people of Papua New Guinea adore this car.

My father owned two of these cars. The first one is the 3rd generation Toyota Hilux 1978-1983 model. Very tough, reliable, and a car you can truly trust.

The second one is the 5th Genenral Toyota Hilux 1988-1997 model. A Toyota Hilux Ute two-wheel drive pickup. It is a very strong and powerful car.

Hilux comes in two types. The 2.4-litter engine and the 2.8L engine. Both are a four-cylinder engine with slightly different torque and horse of power.

The 2.4L engine produces a torque of 500Mn a house power of 148/ bhp and the engine rpm of 1600-2000. The 2.8 L is slightly up.

Speed.

The Hilux can accelerate from 0-62mph takes 13.2 seconds with the manual gearbox and 12.7 seconds with the automatic. This is the speed of the entry-level Hilux 2.4 L engine.

The 2.8L engine Hilux can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.13 seconds.

Engine, transmission, and Performance.

The Hilux is available in two models

2.4 L entry level with 6-speed MT

2.8L Turbo Diese. with 6-speed has around 3 variants.

Let's look at the engine specification for the 2.8L model

It has a power of 112kW and a 171hp much less the Navara. However, Rev at its max power gives out a whooping 4,800rpm higher than Navara.

The model has a torque of 403 Nm or Newton Metres; at Max torque, it gives out a 2000rpm or revolution per minute.

The standard 2.4L model produced power at a maximum  output of 149 BHP @ 3,400 RPM and a maximum torque  of 400 Nm @ 1,600–2,000 RPM,

It is equipment with power steering and a turning radius of 6.4m.

Towing and Payload Capacity.

Both Hilux 2.4L and 2.8 L engines have the same towing of 3500kg and a payload capacity of 1000kg.

When it comes to driving on highways, windy and off-road conditions with loads. The 2.8 L has the upper hand to negotiate well in these conditions with a smooth feel and drive.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Hilux 2.4 liter engine consumes fuel of 31.7mpg and produces a CO@ emission of 223-269g/km.

On the other hand, the 2.8L consumes fuel of 33 mpg and produces a CO2 emission of 223g/km of CO2

The fuel economy of this car also depends on the body style and each model's specifications.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features.

The Latest Hilux model gets seven airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), brake assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.

Hilux also gets Sense driver assistance features as part of a range-wide

pre-collision safety system with day and night pedestrian detection and day cyclist detection (PCS), high-speed active cruise control (ACC), lane departure alert (LDA) with steering assistance, and road sign assist (RSA).

3. Nissan Navara

Coming in third place is the powerful Nissan Navara, which has been around for a long time. Many of us have seen the Navara running around with its powerful engine.

Nissan Navara is manufactured for light work in construction and so on. The 4x4 is built to conquer all terrain conditions and is best equipped for off-road.

Every Navara is powered by a 2.3 dCi diesel. The Visia and Acenta tricks have a 163 PS or 16q bhp for a single turbo,

While N-Connecta, Tekna, and N-Guard versions (as well as the special edition variants) use a 190PS (187bhp) twin-turbo diesel,

They come with a six-speed manual gearbox as a standard. However, the more powerful diesel engine is available with six-speed auto transmission.

Let's look at Nissan's specifications compared to other pickups on the market.

Speed

The Navara can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 11.4.11.5 seconds and it has a top speed of 170km/h

Towing and payload capacity.

The payload capacity of Navara double cap, meaning the weight it can carry is up to 1,086kg while the single cap can carry a log of up to 1144kg.

Navara can tow or pull loads of up to 3500kg. This feature is similar to Hilux and Rangers.

Engine, transmission, and Performance.

There are various variants of Navara but let's look at the 2.4dCI 4x4. There is not much difference among each Navara variant, they only differ in single figures.

The Navara 2.5dCi 4x4 has a power of 126kW and a 171 hp. The engine at max power rotates at a whooping 4000rpm.

The torque on the engine gets 403Nm and with a Max torque at 2000rpm

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

All Navara fuel consumption remains the same, even if you choose the single to dualbel nac or the dCi 163 or dCi 190 engines. 

They all consume a fuel economy of 40.4mpg and 184g/km of CO2 for the manual gearbox version of both while adding the 7-speed auto to the dCi 190 engine sees these figures blunted at 38.2mpg and 194g/km. 

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features.

The current models are fitted with these basic safety features.

Feature	Value
Anti-Lock Braking System	Yes
Brake Assist	Yes
Ebd	Yes
Crash Sensor	Yes
Driver Airbag	Yes
Passenger Airbag	Yes
Curtain Airbags	Yes
Side Airbag-Front	Yes
Knee Airbags	No
Seat Belt Warning	Yes
Rear Seat Belts	Yes
Child Safety Locks	Yes
ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts	Yes
Day & Night Rear View Mirror	Auto Dimming
Parking Sensors	Yes
Front Parking Sensors	No
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes
Park Assist	No
Hill-Start Assist Control	Yes
Downhill Assist Control	Yes
Front Impact Beams	Yes
Side Impact Beams	Yes
Engine Check Warning	Yes
Blind Spot monitor	Yes
Lane Departure Warning System	Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Yes
Advance Safety Feature	Driver Attension Alert, Forward Collision Warning

By Joshua 

The Author.

Reference Links ;

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/ranger

https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/ranger

https://www.carwow.co.uk/nissan/navara

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2024-nissan-navara-review

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/toyota-hilux-safety-upgraded-119164/

5 defensive cycling tips for winter cycling in Sapporo city,Hokkaido.

Defensive Winter Cycling in Sapporo 

Winter in Sapporo is harsh. It is frigid, and snow falls every day for up to four months. Sapporo is located in Hokkaido. This is Japan's coldest region, and it is extremely near to Russia. During the winter season, you may expect a lot of snow and cold weather coming from Russia.

During the peak of the winter season in Hokkaido. In some places in Hokkaido, the temperature drops to around negative 15-20 degrees Celsius. Sapporo City usually receives an annual snowfall of 697cm with a low temperature of -10.

So, if you are like me who lives in Sapporo for 3 winters and continues biking throughout the winter. You get to learn a few tricks of cycling in the snow.

In addition, you can learn about the types of snow and icy conditions in Sapporo, as well as how to ride defensively.

So, let's dive into the 7 tips for defensive cycling in winter in Sapporo.

1. Fresh snow cycling.

Personally, I enjoy cycling over fresh snow. When the snow is fresh, there is less risk of sliding. However, you must remain mindful of the surface on which you drive.

Most of the time, ice surfaces exist beneath fresh snow. Regardless of how much snow falls that day. You must use caution before biking or riding on the solid surface beneath the fresh snow.

When cycling, always pay close attention to the surfaces beneath the fresh snow. You can tell when you are cycling on an extremely icy, unstable, or uneven surface beneath the fresh snow.

It is best to get off your bike and push over these surfaces.

2. Icy surfaces cycling.

This is the most dangerous winter condition. It usually forms at night when the temperature rapidly drops. This makes the snow on the street surfaces or on the road cool down overnight rapidly and turns into ice.

The most dangerous conditions for icy cycling in the streets of Sapporo are the places where cars drive and people have to walk over continuously. The surfaces in these places were very very slippery. 

If you find yourself cycling on these very very icy surfaces without a snow spike tyre.

What you should do is not apply to send brake at any bend, curve, or just on flat sources of the street.

Importantly:

Do not cycle on the road where the cars drive. It is very dangerous. Try to cycle on the footpaths and keep your wheel to where the icy surface is a little rough and has some icy spiky surfaces. This will enable traction on your wheels for firm grip.

3. Sticky snow surface cycling.

This is an intriguing and exhausting condition to ride under. This condition, in my experience, occurs after a light rain or when the daytime temperature rises slightly. For example, above 0 degrees.

When cycling on these wet and sticky snow surfaces, seek for areas where it is a little more solid. 

In this situation, you can pedal on the road. It would be slightly less slippery.

However, if you ride on the sidewalk, you must use force with your paddle. Try to avoid paths with heavy snow. This thicker-wet snow will catch your tires and prevent you from moving forward.

Shift into a higher gear to go slowly and steadily forward until you find a solid surface.

4. Heavy snow cycling.

I have ridden through several strong snowstorms in Sapporo and elsewhere in Japan. During heavy snowfall. The visibility is really low. It is best not to cycle on the road where there are cars. 

 It is preferable to cycle on the footpath. Ride slowly and always use a cycling glass. These can tremendously assist you in staying focused on cycling and not being distracted by snowflakes striking your face and eyes as you ride through the heavy snow. 

5. Muddy snow cycling.

In the situation of muddy cycling. Cycling is far easier. You will not be stuck as often. But even in muddy snowy circumstances. When cycling, try to avoid hard and slippery bumps in muddy snow pools.

When encountering icy bumps, try to go slowly and keep a good balance. When cycling, approach ice bumps head-on. Do not try to get over it from an incline.

6. Cycling on loose snow.

Loose snow surfaces occur as a result of prolonged snowfall combined with slightly warmer temperatures. As pedestrians and cars traveled across the snow.

 They chopped through the snow, resulting in a large amount of loose snow. This makes the snow more free and unstable.

If you cycle in these snowy circumstances. Do not make any sudden turns. Bike straight and use a bit extra energy on your paddle. 

In this condition, you are less likely to fall over or slip. However, it is essential to exercise caution when cycling. 

7. Wear thick warm clothes.

The cold is one of the most challenging aspects of winter cycling. Even if it is not windy, riding a bike allows you to travel against the wind. As a result, if you do not wear thick clothing, you will become quite cold.

From my experience, your feet and hands will be extremely cold and painful. I propose that you wear heavier gloves and snow boots. This makes cycling more pleasant.

8. Buy snow bike types.

I have not utilized snow spike tires, but I recommend them in snowy weather. Snow tires provide more efficient traction.

Allowing you to accelerate and make curves with ease. However, on an icy surface, I recommend riding gently and avoiding quick twists or breaks.

Written by Joshua 

The author 

差ポロのユキマツリ Winter Festival in Sapporo city.

 

    Sapporo Yuki Matsuri             

 

Sapporo Ice World                                                                          Fish sculpture

                                                                           Ainu display

Sapporo City, is the home of Japan's famous winter festival, the Sapporo Snow Festival or Japanese, Yuki Matsuri.

Every year ice sculptures from around the world converge on this city of 2 million inhabitants to showcase their ice-scalping talents.

This year 2024 was special because for 2 years the city of Sapporo was not able to hold the event. Due to COVID-19 pandemic.

 Finally this year, the city opened its doors once again to have the biggest winter events.

      Bird                                         End of Ice World

            Eagle

This year 2024 marks 74 years of the Sapporo snow festival. It started in 1950 with a few high school students building a snow sculpture at the Sapporo famous Odori Park. From then on the event got bigger and bigger attracting many visitors from within Japan and abroad.

This year 2024, the event is held in 3 locations;

1. Suzukino
2. Odaori Park
3. Sapporo Dome Area.

This year's term is ' Finding Delight and Interacting With Ice'.

1. Suzukino

 

The once puzzling main, street of Suzukino is where they cornered off allowing two blocks of the main street to be taken up by the Ice Word sculptures.

This year there were approximately 60 sculptures on display  including the ice sculpture with a trapped fish, ice sculptures from the contest, large-scale Ainu ice sculptures that are powerful and magnificent, and sculptures depicting characters from each broadcasting company were on display

                              Suzukino Ice World Map

2. Odari Park

Odari Park the original place where the Sapporo snow festival started has many snow sculptures. It also features some of the biggest snow sculptures for this event.

This year the sculptures feature many of Japan's famous people, anime characters and movies, singing groups, major sponsors, and Hokkaido Indigenous People, the Ainu.

This year the largest sculptures on display in Odari Park are Upopoi National Ainu Museum, Neuschwanstein Castle, Old Sapporo Station, and Hokkaido Ballpark F Village.

 

         

                        Golden Kamuwi Movie

There are also snow sculptures from various countries including, Indonesia, Thailand, Lithuania, and Mongolia.

This year Odri Park snow festival included the curling sport for citizens to try. The curling area is located next to the Sapporo Clock Tower.

Furthermore, if you are walking around and find yourself hungry. You can try out the many delicious Japanese stall foods. They are freshly cooked and are tenderly so good.

HBC Broadcasting

                                     Performance stage 

                                 Citizen sculpture

F Village.

Pickatsu

3. Tsudome Site 

The Tsudome site is located in the famous Sapporo Dome area. This is Sapporo's biggest dome and they can host a lot of sports events there. It is located in the Toyahria Word area.

This site is mostly composed of giant ice-skying slides. It is enjoyed by children and their parents. There are slides, snow rafts, and other attractions. The indoor space offers gourmet booths, rest areas, and other attractions for children to play in. 

by Joshua.