New days of Thunder for the Ford Ranger pick-up

Ford has launched a limited edition version of its popular Ranger pick-up truck, reviving the ‘Thunder’ nameplate.

Just 4,500 Ford Ranger Thunders have been earmarked for Europe, of which 1,400 are destined for UK buyers.

Priced from £32,965 (excluding VAT), it’s based on the Wildtrak version of the Ranger, currently Europe’s best-selling pick-up, and offers a high spec combined with optimised load hauling and tough four-wheel drive capability.

Ranger had its best-ever year in 2019, with 52,500 vehicles sold across Europe and more than 16,000 of those in the UK alone. This is third generation Ranger Thunder, with the first making its debut in 2003 and the second in 2009.

The all-new Thunder comes with an exclusive colour-contrast exterior and interior with plenty of popular practical options as standard.

Finished in Sea Grey with bold red highlights on the grille and sports hoop, it’s complemented by three-dimensional-effect “Thunder” badges for the driver and front passenger doors and tailgate, plus a matte black “Ranger” logo.

Thunder also gains exclusive 18-inch black alloy wheels and Ebony Black executions for the front grille, rear bumper, skid plates, fog light surrounds, load bay sports hoop and door handles.

LED headlights with darkened bezels are also standard, along with darkened taillight bezels at the rear. A black Mountain Top powder-coated roller shutter with bedliner divider is available as an optional extra on Thunder, enhancing load bay practicality with style.

Inside, it’s equipped with full Ebony leather seats featuring distinctive “Thunder” red embroidery and matching stitching across the steering wheel, seats, instrument panel and key touch points throughout the cabin. Black floor mats are also standard and contrast with bespoke red-illuminated sill plates.

Just like the Wildtrak, it’s powered by a bi-turbo 2.0-litre 210bhp EcoBlue diesel engine and is mated to Ford’s smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic gearbox as standard.