Valentino Rossi launches limited edition Ford Ranger

Struggling to find inner-happiness with the current Ford Ranger? Well, this is just what the Doctor ordered. No, really…

Nine-time world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi has signed off on his own personalised version of Ford’s Australian-engineered Ranger ute, with a special edition of the hay-hauler soon to arrive locally.

Distributor Auto Source International has confirmed 460 versions of the VR46 Ranger have been allocated to Australia and New Zealand. According to spokeswoman for the distributor, the utility was conceived by Carlex Design in the UK, with Rossi putting his name to the finished project.

At least one Victorian Ford dealer will stock the VR46 Ranger. Stakeholders are finalising local ADR compliance now with the hope of landing the first vehicles by December.

Prices are yet to be confirmed but expect a healthy premium over the garden variety Ford Ranger XLT on which the Rossi version is based.

The VR46 Ranger is available in Metallic Black or Magnetic Grey, along with automatic and manual transmission. The standard Ranger’s 3.2-litre turbo diesel five-cylinder remains mechanically unchanged, but comes with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich all terrain tyres, stainless steel exhaust system with dual outlets, a 1.75-inch Pedders lift kit, limited-edition colour shocks and springs, sump guard and fuel tank guard, wider wheel arches, external roll over protection, roof-mounted lighting system and spring-loaded and damped tailgate.

Inside, the VR46 Ranger differentiates itself from the garden-variety Ranger with special sill plates, leather trim, ‘Napa’ leather seats, flat-bottom steering wheel and off-road rubber mat pack, among other features.

The VR46 Ranger is the latest in a long line of aftermarket packs for the popular dual cab, which ranked second outright in a record month of Australian sales in June. Also popular is the Tickford-tuned Ranger, while Ford is also said to be working on an official Ranger Raptor.