THE Platinum is the most luxurious version available of the popular Ford Ranger pick-up truck.

It is fitted with a powerful and smooth V6 diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and delivers lots of grunt and presence.

It costs considerably more than Wildtrak versions and it looks even more like the bigger F-150 from America, with its squared-off stance, C-shaped daytime running lights, big Ford oval badge, massive grille and imposingly bluff front end. Another new feature is that the ‘Ranger' nameplate is stamped into the tailgate.

There is also Platinum badging across the bonnet, chrome trim around the fog lights and across the grille, a lighting package, further chrome on the window trims and door handles, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Ranger is a huge success for the Blue Oval badge in the UK and Europe thanks to its great looks and ability to get any job done and this model will appeal to those who demand luxury along with ability.

The Ranger can be bought in a large variety of styles and with a choice of engines and transmissions but this model sits at the top if you discount the extreme Raptor version.

It has the ability to shift and move heavy equipment with the comfort and equipment of an SUV. It also offers great towing capacity as well as the talent to go off-road and tackle the rough stuff.

The Platinum is not soft - it can wade through rivers, traverse rough terrain, slip through mud and snow with ease because it has the grunt to do it.

On regular roads this version behaves like most large SUVs and it cruises well at motorway speeds with decent ride and handling

This truck cost £49,280 and metallic paint, a power roller shutter and a technology package took the total to £52,380.

The stylish Platinum comes with power-foldable heated door mirrors with puddle lights, side steps, roof rails and rear privacy glass.

Inside the cabin offers more creature comforts and enough room for a family of five or four large workers and boasts equipment to satisfy leisure owners.

You get satellite navigation, Bluetooth with voice control, rear parking sensors, a new large central touchscreen with Ford SYNC 3 technology, a B&O sound system with DAB radio, heated windscreen, and a large number of power sockets as well as heated electrically adjustable seats with premium leather and a leather stitched steering wheel.

At the touch of a button you can select between a choice of two or four-wheel-drives and low and high ratios. There is also a choice of six selectable drive modes.

Safety features include a raft of airbags, hill launch assist, hill descent control and an electronic stability programme with traction control and emergency brake assist. There are front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera.

Other features include a lane keeping aid, traffic sign recognition, a collision mitigation system, intelligent speed assistance and cruise control.

This version came with the 3.0-litre EcoBlue diesel power plant combined with an automatic ten-speed gearbox. It punts out 240ps and gives the Ranger a top speed of 112mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds.

It has a claimed combined figure of 27.4 mpg but that will depend on how hard you drive it and how heavy it is loaded. I managed more as I had a couple of long journeys.