The all-new Ford Ranger pickup truck makes history as it becomes the first-ever pickup to achieve the maximum five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP.

5-Star rating means the Ranger scored 89 per cent for overall safety – the best score ever earned by a pick-up and one of the highest scores recorded by Euro NCAP for any type of vehicle. Moreover, the new Ranger achieved the highest rating of any vehicle ever tested by Euro NCAP for pedestrian protection by 81 per cent.

The Ranger’s safety features is a long list which begins with a reinforced passenger cell that utilises high-strength steel throughout. Ford engineers assessed more than 9,000 virtual crash tests on the computer before any of the 110 actual vehicle crash tests or 410 system sled tests were undertaken. The pickup also comes with Side curtain airbags, standard on all models.

Other safety technologies include three-point safety belts for all seating positions, with pre-tensioners and load limiter for the front seats, as well as Ford BeltMinder technology which helps remind front-seat occupants to wear their belts.

Innovative active safety and driver assistance technologies
The all-new Ranger also uses innovative active safety and driver assistance technologies to help drivers avoid accidents. A key standard feature is the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) that uses advanced sensors to constantly monitor the vehicle’s behaviour and assist stability and control.

The Trailer Sway Control system monitors the behaviour of the tow vehicle and trailer array to sense the advent of trailer sway and apply braking countermeasures to reduce its effects. Adaptive Load Control provides additional stability assurance for drivers dealing with heavy payloads.

When driving downhill, Hill Descent Control ensures that the brakes will be applied to control the vehicle at a set speed. Or when stopping on a steep grade, Hill Launch Assist helps the driver to pull away confidently without creeping backwards, even when fully laden.

The Ranger’s ESP system includes off-road logic which recognises when the pick-up is driven on rough roads and modifies the system to ensure the best balance between stability and timeliness of interventions.