MOTORS: Are pick-ups getting a bit bigger or am I shrinking?
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I don’t think I’m shrinking, but cars seem to be getting bigger with every new or updated model.
That’s especially true in the latest range of pick-ups. Round my way in the wilds of the countryside, every other vehicle is a pick-up, working hard to earn its living by distributing livestock feed and in some cases the livestock itself, or providing go-anywhere transport for the local gamey.
Where the pick-up used to be more than a little utilitarian, they’re now sophisticated machines with interior luxury associated with expensive luxury saloons.
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They are now pretty big too. This week’s featured test car towered above me as I heaved myself in only with the help of the essential side step and grab handle on the pillar.
Once in the cab you get a commanding view all around and that’s one reason why this has become the best-selling vehicle of its type in Europe.
The latest generation is quite a machine but with a price to match for the featured test vehicle at more than £53,000 if you’re not using it for business and aren’t registered for VAT.
It’s a capable machine with a 10-speed automatic, full-time four-wheel-drive system and an all-new electronically-controlled torque on-demand transfer case and if that can’t see you through some tricky terrain, you probably shouldn’t be there at all.
For on-road use, the £1100 Technology Package brings cruise control, advanced automatic parking and a host of safety features.
The test vehicle was a Wildtrak, which is the majority version sold in the UK, with lots of nice touches like 20-inch alloys, leather seats and other luxury features you’d expect in an upmarket executive car.
The latest model keeps the tried and tested 2.0 litre bi-turbo diesel engine, but that has limited future and those clever engineers are no doubt well down the line in developing an electric-powered version to see us through the next decade.
Under the surface there’s a ladder chassis and leaf-sprung rear axle which like the engine does the job very well so has been left alone.
Apart from that there’s an increase in the wheelbase by moving the front wheels further forward to reduce the front overhang and the track is wider too.
The front end is dramatic presenting a bold image with large grille and C-shaped headlamps but the central blue oval Ford symbol has been kept, rather than the option of big FORD letters.
Once you’ve hoisted yourself in, the interior is luxurious with soft touch surfaces and the dash is dominated by a 12-inch central touchscreen backed up by some physical buttons for the climate control. The squeezable door handles are unusual, almost hidden within the door armrest but they look good and importantly, work well.
There’s the standard Ford SYNC 4 infotainment system along with eight B&O speakers and two tweeters.
As you’d expect there’s plenty of leg and headroom inside for five adults and in the rear, there’s a USB socket so they can plug in their phones or tablets.
The rear cargo bed is slightly bigger with a payload of one tonne but the container for the power roller shutter (£1600 including load bed liner) meant some of the space was restricted. However, unlike some of the other pick-ups on the market, the load bed is big enough to take a Euro-size pallet.
Because of the height, it’s quite difficult to reach into the cargo space but that’s overcome by a step built into the side behind the rear wheel. Other good touches are the two small lights in the side to illuminate the cargo space along with flaps exposing holes in the top of the tailgate so you can fit a clamp and use it as a work bench.
The tailgate is lighter than in other pick-ups but would be improved by hydraulic struts so that it didn’t slam down when opened.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak double cab 2.0 litre diesel
PRICE: £40,221+VAT (£53,605 inc VAT as tested)
ENGINE: 1995cc 4 cyl bi-turbo diesel 10-speed auto e-4WD
POWER: 205 PS
TORQUE: 500 Nm
TOP SPEED: 112mph
0-62mph: 10.5 secs
