As one of Wales’s favourite sons knows, there is nothing better than the green, green grass of home, especially in a Ford Ranger pick-up!
Rumour has it that it wasn’t all that long ago when an intrepid motorised traveller could traverse the length of the country without once setting a wheel on a tarmac or concrete highway. These green laners as they are affectionately – and sometimes not so politely – known by aggrieved landowners (even though it is completely legit) have an intimate knowledge of the hollow ways, drovers’ roads, ridgeways, and ancient tracks which have criss-crossed this green and pleasant land of ours for millennia. In fact, before the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in 2006 it is reckoned that the number of public bye ways and unclassified roads was double what it is currently, although thankfully there are still some stunning places to escape the frenzy of modern life if you know where to look.
One of the best places to head for, according to the Green Lane Association, which works tirelessly to retain the right to go off piste, is Wales and in particular the area around the Brecon Beacons. With more than its fair share of deep streams to ford and precarious rock climbs it would, of course, be most foolhardy – not to mention downright dangerous – to attempt any form of green laning in anything other than a robust 4×4. And, it just so happens, we know a company who can provide that form of transport in spades. So, on a snowy early December day, we found ourselves in Builth Wells ready to embark on six hours of one of our most eye opening and exhilarating driving experiences to date.
Lined up before us was the latest additions to Ford’s already extensive range of highly regarded Ranger pick-ups and with suitably macho brand names like Stormtrak, Wolftrak and Raptor, the eighty plus miles of untamed wilderness in front of us suddenly didn’t appear quite so daunting.
To the uninitiated, green lanes can run for perhaps one hundred yards to several miles at a time and in these parts, where the sheep seem to outnumber humans by 20 to 1, there are surprises around every corner. At one stage we found ourselves next to an isolated farm owned by Prince Charles and then a hilltop fort once a refuge for marching Roman centurions, as they tried to tame not only the landscape but the bloodthirsty barbarians. The snowy backdrop and black ice certainly added to the drama, and more than one boulder strewn hill climb initially appeared unrealistic until the Ranger was slipped efficiently in to the selectable 4×4 mode. One could only wonder what the Romans might actually have done for us if only the same technology had been applied to their famous chariots!
Quite what the locals made of a convey of townies playing silly soldiers in their backyard is open to debate, and there is no doubt that the highly impressive contours and stylish good looks of the Ranger could count against it in the eyes of the more traditionalist pick-up owner who wants a no-frills workhorse as opposed to a show pony. But having driven a diverse selection of Rangers over the years, the claims to fame are clearly much more than skin deep. Sure, they may look on first impression as being more at home down by the beach than on a muddy farm or building site, but it is primarily for just such purposes that they have been painstakingly designed and rigorously tested to do their best work, with market leading performance levels and towing and carrying capacities. It’s just a shame that the opportunity to switch lanes for even just a few hours is becoming increasingly hard to find on so many levels these days.
“After all the hype surrounding the pick-up market a few years back, when leading brands were fighting over and amongst themselves to add their own version to the commercial vehicle stable, it would appear that there are now just three horses left in the race with some key owners surprisingly pulling out. It’s left Ford in an enviable position, and one which they seem intent on capitalising on with new models and further enhancements to the line up just around the turn.”
RAPTOR SE
Adding more dramatic style to the ‘bad ass’ truck feel, this top of the range limited edition version has some special exterior and cab enhancements to make the off-road experience even more distinctive. The powertrain features the 213 PS 2.0 Litre, 10-speed automatic gearbox with a selectable four-wheel drive six-way Terrain Management System. The payload is 545kg with a maximum trailer weight of 2,500kg braked.
STORMTRAK
Based on the premium Wildtrak series, it offers similar engine and driving characteristics as the Raptor but has a more workable 1,034 kg payload and 3,500 kg braked max trailer weight.
WOLFTRAK
Designed with the business owner in mind, the 1.179kg payload and long-legged tubular sports bar offer significant load moving ability supported by a standard load bed protector. Also available as a Supercab option.
MS RT
Does what it says on the tin, designed for customers who value Rangers hard working capability but want the racing pedigree and hand finished exclusivity of the MS-RT Series.
For more details on the Ford Ranger visit https://www.ford.co.uk/vans-and-pickups/ranger
For more details of the Green Lane Association visit membership@glass-uk.org
