Ford's Hidden Ranger Headline

Ford Australia has announced a 'benchmark' option pack for its new Ranger light commercial range. The result of last-minute negotiations with its Thai factory, Ranger will now offer a Safety Pack priced from only $1200. The pack can even be specified on Ranger's basic high-ride 4X2 workhorse models.

The absence of the most basic safety features on 'workhorse' commercial vehicles has become a workplace safety issue for many companies. Ford's latest offer is a welcome move for drivers who have to spend their working day in these light trucks.

This latest Ford safety offer is also a crucial development for those Rangers that double as family vehicles.

The Ranger Safety Pack features four-wheel ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), side airbags, sports weave seat trim and power windows for an extra $1200. With all Ford Ranger models featuring twin airbags as standard, the addition of the Safety Pack lifts the light truck's safety equipment levels in line with most family cars.

This $1200 Safety Pack can now be specified on the new Ford Ranger XL Super Cab-Chassis High Rider 4X2, Ford Ranger XL Super Cab Pick-Up High Rider in 4X2 and 4X4 versions,  the Ford Ranger XL Crew Cab Pick-Up High Rider 4X2 and 4X4 and the Ford Ranger XL Crew Cab-Chassis High Rider 4X4.

Prices for these 3.0-litre turbodiesel Super and Crew Cab High Rider models start from just $31,490. Ford is therefore offering top-shelf Ranger safety levels at a significant saving over the top of the range XLT models which boast the safety features are standard.

Though there is still debate around the structural safety of all chassis-based light commercial models and their performance in comparative crash testing, Ford's move is nonetheless a step in the right direction.

Read our comprehensive launch review of the Ford Ranger line-up, at CarPoint and Carsales tomorrow.