Ford Ranger

It’s not often that you get the chance the really test a vehicle. A McLaren 720S for instance: I know it’ll do 0-62mph in little more than the blink of an eye, and on occasion I’ve been able to reaffirm such things. However the 720S’s claimed 212mph top speed is something I’ll probably never have either the space – in the correct facility of course - or perhaps the nerve, to prove. The chances are, I probably wouldn’t be able to afford the fuel to attempt such things either.

     Ford on the hand, recently had a different idea – albeit perhaps at somewhat more modest velocities. “Would I”, they asked, “like to drive their latest Ranger, across Mid Wales?” Indeed I would.  And as it turned out, it was the Tarmac that would be in short supply.

    Now, if like me, you’ve recently seen pictures of the new Ford Ranger, you might well be wondering why there isn’t one here, or perhaps, one somewhere near the foot of The Brecon Beacons on what turned out to be a very cold Thursday morning. The fact of the matter is the new Ranger won’t be with us in the UK until sometime in early 2023; it’s a global product, hence the release of certain images of it on the World Wide Web. So, for a little while at least we’ve got to content ourselves with some new versions of the existing Ranger; Wolftrak, MS-RT, Stormtrak, and the altogether more muscular and higher-riding Raptor SE with its multilink suspension, wider wheel arches, bespoke dampers, and all-important go-faster stripes – a sporty Ford wouldn’t be the same without them. In all, you can now choose from nine different varieties of Ranger.

     Whichever your pick, or indeed your budget, one could argue that Ford have very much hit the sweet-spot with the Ranger, especially-so now as it faces significantly less competition than it once did. Neither the Ssangyong Musso, nor Isuzu’s D-Max offer anywhere near the same levels of refinement as the Ranger – both feel distinctly more agricultural, whilst simultaneously sounding more industrial – and Toyota’s perennial Hi-Lux costs more (Ranger Raptor and its £54K list price notwithstanding). And, if having just read those last few lines you’re now wondering why was there no mention of Mitsubishi’s L200, well that’s because you can no-longer buy a new one in the UK. Also, Mercedes-Benz have stopped making their X-Class, because Nissan stopped making the Navara upon which the plush German was based, and VW don’t make Amaroks any more either. It’s perhaps no wonder then, that the Ranger is Europe’s best-selling pick-up.

    Incidentally, it may interest you to know that VW will bring out a new Amarok sometime soon – it’ll be based on the new Ford Ranger.

     Our sturdy steed for the day’s adventuring came in the form of a Ranger in Limited Spec; leather seats – heated no-less -, high and low range four-wheel drive, locking rear diff, 10-speed auto ‘box, and the promise of over 30mpg. With power provided by Ford’s trusty 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo-diesel it proved supremely sure-footed  regardless of what terrain Sarn Helen’s ancient Roman roads threw at us; snow, sleet, rain, floods, mud deep enough swim in, all were dealt with without drama. There’s clearly a lot to be said for the simplicity leaf springs and beam axles sometimes, even if they’re a bit bouncy once back on firmer, err, Terra Firma.

     And that, more or less, sums the current Ranger up. There’s nothing particularly new about it, nevertheless what there is, is perfectly matched for the job it’s required to do. The Ranger feels a tough as old boots, yet equally it’s just as comfortable. Drive one properly, and it’s not difficult to see why it’s been Europe’s best-selling pick-up for the last five years. After a day spent putting it fully to the test, something tells me that’s not going change anytime soon.

Ford - P375 21.5 RANGER 2.0TDCI (E/Blue) LIMITED D/CAB 213PS 10SP AUTO 4X4 +TACHO PORT

Engine: 1,995cc 4-cylinder, 16V, bi-turbo diesel

Power: 210 bhp @3,750 rpm

Torque: 367 lbft @ 1,750 - 2,000 rpm

Transmission:  10-speed manual with manual mode. Selectable Four-wheel drive with high and low ratio

Kerb Weight: 2,160 kg Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,270 kg Max Towable Mass: 3,500kg

Performance: 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds

Max Speed: 112 mph

MPG: 31.7

CO2: 246 g/km

Price: From £37,783.64 OTR

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Many thanks to all at Ford’s UK press office.