New standard accessories give the Ranger pickup a more rugged appearance.
The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor has arrived in America, packing a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque while offering improved capability and a more aggressive exterior. And yet Ford still refuses to sell the hardcore Ranger Raptor outside of the US.
Since Ford’s midsize pickup has proven popular in international markets, the Blue Oval automaker has launched several special-edition variants for specific regions to capitalize on the demand such as Australia’s Raptor-inspired FX4 MAX. Now, Ford has unleashed another new special-edition Ranger down under. Based on the entry-level Ranger 4×4 twin-cab pick-up, the new Ford Ranger 4×4 XL Tradie is fitted with a range of factory accessories designed to appeal to the commercial market.
Ford
Ford
As standard, the Ford Ranger 4×4 XL Tradie is equipped with a subtle LED light bar, a black nudge bar and side steps, a bedliner, a tow bar, and unique 16-inch black alloy wheels, giving the truck a more rugged appearance while increasing its practicality. Available exterior color options include Arctic White and True Red. For an extra $650 AUD ($510 USD), the special-edition pickup can be painted in premium Meteor Grey, Aluminium Silver, Blue Lightning or Shadow Black finishes.
Inside, the limited-edition Workhorse has a SYNC 3 infotainment system featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, but there doesn’t appear to be any interior enhancements in contrast to the exterior.
Ford
Ford
Under the hood, power is sourced by a 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, this unit produces 197 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to a four-wheel-drive system. This is in contrast to America’s Ford Ranger, which utilizes a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine rated at 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
“Our 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbo-diesel is proven in the marketplace and customers love the engine’s refinement, combined with its durable, workhorse nature,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO, Andrew Birkic. Pricing for the Ford Ranger XL Tradie starts at $47,990 AUS ($37,702). Ford hasn’t said how many examples will be built, but it will only be available for a limited time.