The truck stops here . . .
There's good news for workers and their families all over Britain, as Ford has taken the rough out of its Ranger. It's still tough but as well as bolder, chunkier looks the long-serving Ford pick-up has something new under the bonnet which has transformed the blue oval's workhorse into something of a thoroughbred.
Not only is power up by 40 per cent to 143bhp, torque is up by a third to 330Nm at lower engine speeds: just 1,800rpm to be exact.
That will no doubt be welcome for those with loads to shift, but perhaps more important is that this new powerplant is so much smoother and quieter.
That's partly due to the fact that the new 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine just isn't working so hard in any given situation, but it's also had an injection. It's now a TDCi, a set of initials which indicate it now has the same ultra-high-pressure fuel injection system as Ford's passenger cars and the result is the same: virtually no knock or rattle and a quieter, easier life for the driver.
My test car was the top-of-the-range Thunder double-cab version,with five seats and the top level of equipment which comes in at £20,050. It's a car designed for the tradesman or worker who wants a vehicle for all seasons, which can carry over a tonne of cargo in the week and the family at weekends.
While for many the company car tax advantages of picking a pick-up are disappearing, there are still those for whom one genuinely versatile vehicle is the best value for money.
The same engine, though, comes in all 11 versions of the Ranger, starting with the three-seater, two-wheel-drive-only version at £13,688.
The extra power and torque, of course, will come in handy for those who need the pick-up's off-road abilities.
It has plenty of ground clearance and, on all but the two entry-level versions, selectable four wheel drive with a transfer box giving you access to a set of low-range gears, too.
The Ranger's suspension is of the beefy persuasion with lots of travel, a necessity if you are venturing off the beaten track, carrying lots of weight, or both.
It's a surprisingly good compromise on the road, though. It feels firm but not jarring, and doesn't suffer from rock and roll even through quicker corners.
Combined with the virtues of the new engine, it makes the Ranger feel much more car than commercial vehicle which is undoubtedly an advantage on longer journeys. Sitting high behind that long bonnet, the driving experience is as good as some popular 4x4s.
The double-cab version allows plenty of both head and legroom for five adults, although you do sacrifice some 50cm or so of available space in the load deck.
For the record, the deck is 2,280mm long on single-cab versions,1,753mm on the supercab and 1,530 on the four-door double cab. All versions, though, have a payload rating of 1,075kg.
The 4x4 versions also have a very useful 3,000kg towing weight, which should cater for a large caravan or double horsebox.
On the outside, the Ranger looks bigger, chunkier, with perhaps a little more macho appeal borrowed from the United States where the truck rules the road.
Inside, Ford has made a real effort to welcome passengers with larger, sculpted seats to hug your body shape, and larger head restraints. The seating position is higher, too, giving you an excellent view over the long bonnet and the extra-large door mirrors let you know what's happening behind, too, even when you're towing.
It's improved the atmosphere, with a large, chrome and silver centre console to brighten things up as well as a stereo with CD player, and a selection of storage bins and cupholders in addition to the glove box.
The Thunder also comes with electric windows, front and side airbags, reverse parking sensors (handy with a vehicle this size) and, on the test car, the £587 optional extra air conditioning.
It also includes a compass, inclinometer and temperature gauge, which would no doubt be useful for anyone contemplating an entry in the Dakar Rally.
By John Griffiths
