New pick-up may be transatlantic in character, but it should fit the bill for work and play this side of the pond
Steve Huntingford Steve.Huntingford@haymarket.com
EARLY 2023
IT’S NO SECRET that things tend to be bigger in the US. Order a small Coke in a McDonald’s while stateside and you’ll get 473ml of fizzy drink, whereas the equivalent UK cup takes 250ml. Here we think a foot-long Subway sandwich is big, but over there you can have one that’s three feet long.And as for transport, try fitting America’s best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150 pick-up truck, in a parking space at your local Tesco.
Fortunately, anyone in Blighty who likes the F-150’s beefy looks will soon be able to have them in a smaller package as well, because the styling of the next generation of Ranger pick-up borrows heavily from its all-American cousin.
No, the new Ranger still isn’t exactly compact at 5.3 metres long, but it’s positively pocket-sized compared with the 6.4-metre F-150 Supercab.
The new Ranger should be easier to live with than its predecessor, thanks to an optional 10-speed automatic gearbox (a manual will also be available) and a four-wheel drive system that can automatically maximise traction in difficult conditions. Meanwhile, the tailgate has built-in clamps to secure a workbench, and the load bed is floodlit for when your woodwork runs deep into the night.
Initially, buyers will be able to choose between 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engines and a 3.0-litre petrol. However, Ford is promising that an electrified option will join the line-up later.
Expect the new Ranger to be priced from around £25,000 (excluding VAT), with that rising to almost £60,000 (with VAT) for the flagship Raptor version, which has been developed by
