2012 Ford Ranger

The new Ford Ranger pickup will cost from £15,515 and will go on sale next month, Ford has confirmed.

The price does not include VAT in the UK which will push the price up closer to £20,000 for entry-level models, while two extra body styles, double and super, will also be available at extra cost.

The pickup, a popular seller in the US and Australia, will be available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions and a selection of four different specifications with a rising scale in terms of equipment offered.

Ford has focused on making the Ford Ranger look 'tough' and practical and suspension, chassis and power has been designed to match this.

It is a necessity for Ford to provide van-like performance because the Ranger will go on sale in less hospitable environments than the UK virtually unchanged because of Ford's new strategy to produce a single model for several different countries.

As a result, the Ranger is capable of towing 3,350kg and the pickup-style rear end can cope with 1,340kg.

Load volume in the regular model stands at 1.82 cubic metres, but this is reduced in the super cab and double cab versions to make room for an extra bench of seats.

Featuring a raised ground clearance for driving through low-level water, the new Ford Ranger comes with a choice of 2.2-litre or 3.2-litre diesel engines, developing 200PS and 150PS respectively.

Despite the rugged design of the new 2012 Ford Ranger, it does have some modern touches including space to hold a laptop in the glovebox, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and dual-zone climate control on higher-spec models.

"Ranger's rugged capability was purposefully engineered and carefully crafted into the pickup," said Jim Baumbick, engineering director, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. "We wanted to give customers a tough truck that they can truly rely on whether in high waters, on challenging terrains, or just commuting to work."

I like this, i'd expect it to ruffle a few feathers in our world, will have to see a back to back comparison with the rest first though!

I saw one comparison done in Aussie and they rated it highly. The only one that bet it overall against all the major players was VW.