New Car Review: Balna LTP FSe Michigan

Work In progress
New Car Review: Balna LTP FSe Michigan
12 May 2014, 6:55am
If you looked at first glance, you'd think it was a Ford F-Series or Lincoln Mark LT. You'd be right. But you'd also be wrong, too.

It's a clone, in much the same way as the multitude of clone scripts out there on the 'net, but it's not a rebadged Ford. Not at all. It's more of a remake of the F-Series, but without any reverse engineering.

From looking closely at it, you can see how it starts to differ from the F-Series, by not having the window that the F-Series does or the large chrome grille; it's understated and plainer. Also, the bodywork looks a little more rounded in parts, and it's substantial enough to differentiate itself from the Blue Oval without being a rip-off.

Available in three bodystyles; the traditional 2-door pickup, a 4-door extended-cab pick-up (or as Balna calls it, XtCab) and a 4-door crewcab pick-up (XtCrew), this is more of a facelift than an entirely new car.

A choice of three petrols are available; a 3.5-litre/278bhp V6 (badged as 3.5 V6 VCT-i), 3.7-litre/302bhp V6, a 5.0-litre/340bhp V8 (5.0 340 V8) and 5.0-litre/360bhp V8, and rounding off the range will be a new V8 engine.

Trim levels are Base, XL ("Xtra Luxury" as we've seen in the adverts on telly), and range-topping SEL. The entry-level models are only available with the two V6 petrols, but move up to XL and you get a choice of all four engines. SEL model is available with all engines, except the entry-level V6, and is automatic-only, a 6-speed at that.
XL trim is basic, but better than the Base model.

Compared to the Ford, it's some £2,000 cheaper, but is it better?

To drive, it's not quite as good as the F-Series, and a little bit harsh in some places, but it's getting there. Economy isn't great from the V8 engines, so you'll have to go for a V6. It isn't quite as lively, and could do better, but for the money, it's more than a Chevy but less than a Ford, so it's pricing is an issue.

As for its rivals, well, VLT don't have one.... yet and we've yet to see a Shaf, but a Toyota is the nearest thing.

However, if you're looking for a semi-luxury pickup, this is the one to go for... but try the Ford first, for comparison's sake.

Good, but not quite there yet. But for those seeking a pickup that does the job... it does it well.