15-11-2012

The latest incarnation of the Ford Ranger, which has been on sale in various guises since 2010, has just scooped the ‘International Pick-up of the Year’ award for 2013, with every member of the judging panel picking the Ranger as their top choice.

The Ford Ranger cruised past the competition offered by pick-ups from a wide range of manufacturers at extensive testing recently undertaken at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. The pick-ups underwent various tests and received a point score in relation to their performance. The Ranger ran amok, gaining a total of 47 points - more than the combined scores of the Isuzu D-Max and Volkswagen Amarok, which placed second and third respectively.

The Ranger, which is available in three distinct body styles, single, extra and double cab, offers a choice of two engines, a 2.2-litre four cylinder and a 3.2-litre five cylinder in both two and four wheel drive. In the extensive tests conducted in Bedfordshire, the Ranger impressed judges with its performance both on- and off-road.

One of the judges, Jarlath Sweeney, said: “The Ford Ranger is a great all-rounder, combining the perfect blend of on-road comfort and stability with off-road capability.”

The award is the latest in what has been a glittering year for Ford, with the Transit Custom having been named as the ‘International Van of the Year 2013’ just a few weeks ago, and the company’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine being named ‘International Engine of the Year 2012.’

Paul Randle, the vehicle line director at Ford Europe is particularly pleased with the Ranger’s success: “The Ranger is great for work and great for leisure, and our customers will appreciate the difference as soon as they are behind the wheel.

“This prestigious award is testament to the work of our global product teams and there is plenty more to look forward to with the launch of the all-new Transit and the all-new Transit Connect in 2013.”

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