FORD'S tough new Ranger pickup truck will cost from £15,515 when it hits the streets next month.

This latest generation Ranger will be up for grabs 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. .

New from the ground up, the Ranger now delivers more payload and towing capability than before and will also come in 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains.

Designed and developed by a global team based in Australia, the development team conducted around 30,000 computer-aided assessments on areas such as safety, durability, ergonomics and dynamics.

Then the Ranger prototypes were tested over more than one million kilometres in 15 countries to deliver a vehicle tough enough for the harsh conditions of the Australian Outback and Argentine pampas as well as high-speed German autobahns.

In the Double Cab, three adults can easily fit in the second row and two six-footers can sit one behind the other, while there are 23 storage spaces in the cabin - including a glovebox large enough to accommodate a 16-in laptop.

Three new engines are available, led by a new 3.2 litre five-cylinder diesel with fuel consumption ranging from 28.3mpg on a 4x4 manual transmission variant to 28.7mpg on a full-option 4x4 automatic model. There's also a 2.2-litre diesel.

Ford says the new Ranger's towing and water-wading capabilities are at the top of the segment and for those aiming to go off the beaten track, its off-road capability has been enhanced by an all-new front differential, upgraded rear axle and lower overall ratios.

And an electronically controlled transfer case - for both manual and auto - allows drivers to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high anytime via a knob on the centre console.