Latest version of Ford’s top-selling ute arrives in May and will be a limited edition.

IMMINENT ratcheting of the ‘ute tax’ legislation pinging high CO2 product has not inhibited Ford introducing a version of the top-selling Ranger that might struggle to support a toil-tailored ethic.

Perhaps in minds of sensitivity about one-tonners running high due to Clean Car legislation that takes a next big step on January 1, Ford New Zealand is impressing that the Ranger Platinum, which lands in May for $84,490 and is heavily laden with luxury features, will be a limited count product, perhaps restricting to 600 units, rather than availing in unrestricted number as it does in Australia.

Even so, a variant whose announcement comes as Ford displays at the national Mystery Creek Feildays that have been a catalyst for ute fever in past years is expected to play an important role.

The national distributor expects the newbie to achieve up to 10 percent of next year’s volume for the latest T6.2 Ranger that has, since release four months’ ago, raced into leading the new ute sector, has also dominated as the top new vehicle in one month and is on track to hold on this year as Ford’s most popular model.

Available as a doublecab only – with the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 and 10-speed automatic as standard – the Platinum costs $2000 more than the Wildtrak that until now has been the priciest V6 diesel and sits just below the Raptor.

It adds an array of previously-optional or unavailable luxury features, with intent to offer as an alternate to like-priced luxury cars.

The new edition adopts as standard a new rack system unveiled by Ford recently that is aimed to appeal to recreational users needing to stow hefty items such as kayaks and furnishes to largely match the top-level Everest, an SUV that draws off Ranger design that became a Platinum in its top guise, having previously sold as a Titanum.

The name change is relevant – in Ford-speak, Platinum is all about comfort, sophistication and looking sharp.

Ford’s readily admission that Ranger Platinum is taking cues off upmarket versions of the F-150 truck it sells in North America that are specifically sold as luxury drives, rather than as toilers, might seem risky.

Clean Car has emboldened critics to more loudly claim many utes, in the four-door doublecab automatic guise that is a staple for Ranger’s success, are used as talisman trucks here.

In response, Ford NZ has been arguing that most of the Rangers it sells are bought as workhorses and have been necessities, as there are no electric or electrified alternates.

Whether getting dirty or hefting loads is in the Ranger Platinum’s core remit is bound to be questioned.

Though towing and tray loading maximums do not erode – as occurs with Raptor - like the Everest Platinum, it runs street-tailored tyres on 20-inch alloys and has silk chrome exterior embellishments and LEX matrix headlights.

The cabin glams with quilted leather seating, heating and cooling for the front seats, a heated steering wheel and a top shelf stereo system. The only embellishment seen on Australia-market versions not availing here is a black roof.

In comment supplied today, Ford NZ said the Ranger Platinum “takes the pick-up to new heights, combining the capability and versatility of Ranger with unique styling and premium features for customers that value outstanding comfort and generous specification to support their active work and family needs.”

Local managing director Simon Rutherford has agreed there’s been growth in high-end variants in this segment over recent years and Ford wanted to leverage that opportunity

“We challenged ourselves to create a vehicle that provides all of our customers’ wants and needs. Ranger Platinum gives customers the chance to have their cake and eat it too; they get the Next-Gen Ranger’s inherent capability with a serious dose of class and sophistication.”

Ian Foston, the chief programme engineers with Ranger’s development team that bases in Melbourne, Australia, says the Platinum “is focused on owners who need a work truck that combines both premium luxury for the family, and the flexibility of a work truck for their business. We’ve really focused on creating a premium exterior and gold-class interior experience.”

The type’s 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel also sites in the Wildtrak that sells for $80,490 (plus $3910 Clean Car fee) and the Sport.

All Ranger engine attract Clean Car penalty, but the imposition on the V6 diesel is much lower than for the Raptor, whose 292kW/583Nm twin turbo petrol V6 cops not only a maximum emissions penalty – felt by new vehicle buyers since April 1 – but also stands to feel heat from a Clean Car Standard introducing on January 1 that directs specifically at distributors.

There’s been thought that, by 2025, this could add up to a $10,000 loading on Raptor’s current sticker, already at $95,160 with the current $5175 emissions penalty included.