Proud to be the first pickup truck to earn NCAP’s five-star rating, Ford Ranger is now gearing up for its market launch in Britain.

The new Ford Ranger goes on sale next month priced from £15,515 for the base model, while the top-of-the-range Double Cab Wildtrak, 3.2 litre 200PS TDCi, automatic costs £25,040.

Developed by Ford Australia, the Ranger is smaller than most American trucks, but still a pretty sizable thing and probably a bit too large for British roads. Ranger will be offered in three cab bodystyles – Double, Super and Regular – along with an extensive list of practical features that are available across XL, XLT, Limited and Wildtrak models. The pickup will also come in 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains.

Besides the excellent safety, 2012 Ranger is also easy to live with and can be specified with stuff like with Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, there is voice control over the radio, CD, iPod, USB, electronic air-conditioning and mobile phone functions. Dual-zone climate control and cruise control are available on the high series while selected models offer a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation.

Engine-wise, there’s a choice of 3.2 litre five-cylinder diesel engine with peak torque of 470 Nm, ideal for towing big things, and the 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 150 Ps and 370 Nm of torque. The 3.2 engine averages 28.3mpg on a 4×4 manual transmission variant to 28.7mpg on a full-option 4×4 model with automatic transmission. The 2.2 does 32.8 on the combined cycle.