Get ready, because you're about to get totally saturated with Fieldays motoring news over the coming days and weeks.
In recent years the June-based agriculture expo has received big support from the nation's motoring brands. And hot on the heels of their arch-rivals Holden, details are starting to be revealed about what Ford is set to be showcasing.
The Ford Focus Active. Photo / supplied
The blue-oval brigade will be bringing three new models to the event; the Fiesta ST hot hatch, the raised Focus Active, and the Ranger XLT Sport. Attendees of the event will be among the first in New Zealand to see each model in the flesh.
The Ranger XLT Sport is perhaps the most relevant of the bunch, given that it is an agriculture event after all. And obviously, it's also part of the line-up of New Zealand's best-selling vehicle. It slots between the standard XLT and the Wildtrak, featuring black 18-inch wheels and leather accented seats among its key improvements. Under the bonnet is the popular five-cylinder 3.2-litre turbo-diesel Duratorq engine.
Pricing on the XLT Sport traditionally starts at an RRP of $52,990+ORC for the 2WD. But, in the build-up to Fieldays Ford are now advertising the same rear-driven model with an $8000 price cut — $44,990+ORC.
On paper, that makes it cheaper than the base-model double-cab XL — meaning that buyers effectively get a free upgrade from the wee 2.2-litre to the 3.2-litre with a bunch of luxury extras thrown in (like the uprated infotainment system and the aforementioned wheels and seats).
A curious counter-punch then to Holden's comprehensive price cuts on the Colorado. It'll be interesting to see what other ute deals are on the way.
The Ford Fiesta ST. Photo / supplied
Joining the XLT Sport on the Ford stand will be the Focus Active and Fiesta ST. Neither are quite likely as the Ranger to make an appearance out on the farm, but that's not to say they're any less interesting.
The Focus Active in particular will make a curious addition to the Focus line-up. It's scheduled to land here in June, and — with its raised ride-height and its added cladding — it could make for an interesting middle ground for those shopping for an SUV with hatchback proportions.
The Fiesta meanwhile is a tempting, sick tease for anyone waiting to sample the three-popper hot hatch. It was confirmed in early April that New Zealand's allocation of Fiesta STs were to be delayed until the end of 2019 — at best.
Nonetheless, we'll be keen to get an up-close look at the little terrier. See you there.