Ford boosts Ranger with accessories pack

FORD Australia has introduced a Ranger 4x4 XLS Special Edition that includes more than $4900 worth of accessories for an additional $2500 over the usual XLS Double-cab Pick-up driveaway price.

Available from August, the Special Edition gets the 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine pumping out 147kW and 470Nm.

In six-speed manual guise the price is $49,990 driveaway, while the six-speed automatic comes with a $2200 premium at $52,190.

The recommended retail price for the 3.2-litre XLS Double-cab Pick-up is usually $48,090 plus on-road costs ($50,290 for the auto).

Additions to the Special Edition include a sports bar that Ford says gives the ute “more visual attitude”, a tow-bar enabling the Ranger’s 3500kg towing capacity, side steps and bed and tailgate liners.

This is on top of standard gear that includes rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control, 4.2-inch colour multi-function display, Sync connectivity system, power front windows, emergency brake assist, emergency assistance and trailer sway control.

The extra features on the Special Edition could appeal to Ranger buyers who want to bypass the six-month wait list for the flagship Wildtrak that starts at $57,890 plus on-road costs.

Ford Australia CEO and president Graeme Whickman highlighted the popularity of the Ranger that in 4x4 guise is sitting just behind its Toyota-badged rival on the sales charts.

“Already considered one of the most capable and desirable pick-up trucks on the market, we expect the Ranger 4x4 XLS Special Edition will help us narrow the gap to Toyota even further, with Ranger 4x4 now only 172 units behind the HiLux 4x4 year-to-date,” he said.

While the Ranger 4x4 is snapping at the heels of the HiLux, Ford’s combined 4x2 and 4x4 sales of 21,073 units trails Toyota’s January-to-July haul of 24,307.

The HiLux is the second most popular vehicle in Australia this year, trailing the Hyundai i30 that has found 25,073 homes.

The Toyota Corolla sits in third on 23,971 units, followed by the Mazda3 with 21,589, leaving the Ranger in fifth spot.

The Ranger is now the sole ute option in Ford’s Australian catalogue after the last Falcon Ute rolled off the Broadmeadows production line late last month.

2016 Ford Ranger Special Edition pricing*

4x4 XLS Double Cab Pick-up 3.2L	$49,990
4x4 XLS Double Cab Pick-up 3.2L (a)	$52,190

*Excludes on-road costs