Ford Unveils Lavish Ranger Platinum

Welcome to the Ford Ranger Platinum – Ford’s best chance to convince Europe that a pick-up truck is an all-rounder. Use it for work, weekend trips or just shopping at Waitrose. Ford advertises that its souped-up pick-up is perfect for family, fun and… demanding work.

So there’s a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with more than 235 hp and 440 lb-ft and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. Oh, and an excellent four-wheel drive, of course. The Ranger Platinum comes with a 10-speed automatic and phrases like “revised to reduce noise and vibration” and is wrapped in 20-inch alloy wheels with machined rims, Privacy Glass and LED headlights.

The tailgate features a soft-close function to distinguish it from the “bang-bang-here is-a-bill-mom” method that dealers have always favoured. You’ll find wireless charging, buttons that let the Ranger Platinum park itself, and an array of electronic nannies that get so excited about lane changes and cross-traffic that you’ll call the whole system Marvin.

The seats are leather, the dashboard screens are LCD, and the speakers have little B&O icons. Ford wants the Ranger Platinum to be the family car of choice for those living on the frontier of nation and nature.

The idea of a family-size pick-up has been around in North America for some time and has also taken root in Australia. But the US and Canada have been crazy about pick-ups for decades, and Australians need a) something to replace their SUVs and b) drive on roads that defy the definition of what precisely a road is.

So a rugged, reliable lorry – with enough amenities for family life – makes sense for those who live and work where man meets the unassailable Mother Nature. But what about Europe? The roads are smooth; the distances are short, and – apart from certain Baltic and far northern regions – flora and fauna are harmless. Even the elements are not nearly so unforgiving – in the depths of winter, driving from Scandinavia to South London in a sports saloon is no excellent ordeal. And we should know… we did.

So to charge at least £44,000 for a giant diesel-powered Heffalump that will be underused overkill for most of us… well. You can buy a nice Jag XF Sportbrake that includes all the toys that the posh Ranger comes with, except swap out the B&O stereo for Meridian.

Add a few more options to the Ranger Platinum, and you are in the vicinity of a Volvo V60 Cross Country and an Audi Allroad if you insist on ground clearance and all-wheel drive. Although a souped-up Ranger might be Ford’s best chance of convincing us all to buy the posh pick-up, we are not convinced it’s a good chance…n North America and has also taken root in Australia.

But then the US and Canada have been nuts for pick-ups for decades now, and the Australians a) need something to replace their utes and b) drive on the sort of roads that stretch the definition of what, exactly, constitutes a road’.

So a rugged, reliable truck – with enough niceties to use for family life – makes sense for those who live and work where man meets unappeasable mother nature. But what of Europe? The roads are smooth, the distances small and – certain Baltic and far-northern parts notwithstanding – flora and fauna are harmless. Even the elements aren’t anywhere near as ruthless – in the depths of winter, it’s no big ordeal to drive from Scandinavia to south London in a sports saloon. And we should know… we did it.

So to ask at least £44,000 for a gigantic, diesel-powered Heffalump that’s going to be underutilised overkill for most of us… well. You can get a nice Jag XF Sportbrake, which includes all the toys the posh Ranger Platinum comes with, barring exchanging a B&O stereo for Meridian.

Add a few options to the Ranger Platinum, and you’re also in the stomping grounds of a Volvo V60 Cross Country and Audi Allroad, in case you insist on ground clearance and all-wheel drive. So while a tarted-up Ranger might be Ford‘s best chance to sell us all on the fancy pick-up, we’re not convinced it’s a good chance…

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