A SPECIAL edition of the Ford Ranger pick-up truck is being released, priced from £32,695 excluding VAT.

Just 1,400 examples of the Ranger Thunder are slated for the UK and deliveries are scheduled to start in late summer.

The Thunder is powered by Ford's bi-turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, providing 213ps and 500Nm of torque.

It also features Ford's 10-speed automatic gearbox as standard for performance on and off-road.

Based on the Wildtrak version of the Ranger, the Thunder comes with an ‘edgier' look and is finished in a grey paint job with red highlights.

There are also "Thunder" badges for the driver and front passenger doors and tailgate, while the "Ranger" logo is finished in matte black.

Other touches include black alloy wheels and a black finish to the front grille, rear bumper, skid plates, fog light surrounds, load bay sports hoop and door handles.

LED headlights with darkened bezels are also standard, with darkened taillight bezels at the rear.

A black roller shutter with bedliner divider is available as an optional extra.

Inside, the Thunder has full leather seats with red embroidery and matching stitching across the steering wheel, seats, instrument panel and key touch points throughout the cabin.

Black floor mats are also standard and contrast with bespoke red-illuminated sill plates.

Hans Schep, general manager, commercial vehicles, Ford of Europe, said: "With an edgier look for customers who aren't afraid to be noticed, the new Ranger Thunder will be an unmistakeable presence.

"This capable, comfortable and stylish addition to Europe's best-selling pick-up range is as tough and versatile as it is charismatic."

The Thunder features the Ranger's proven four-wheel drive system for off-road capability and will deliver fuel efficiency up to 36.2mpg and CO2 emissions from 205g/km (NEDC), or 31.0mpg and 239g/km (WLTP).

The Ranger had its best-ever year in 2019, with 52,500 vehicles sold across Europe and more than 16,000 of those in the UK.

Total UK Ranger sales are expected to pass 150,000 later this year, since it was launched in 1998.

This is third generation Ranger Thunder, with the first making its debut in 2003 and the second in 2009.