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FORD RANGER
MERCEDES-BENZ
EDITION 1 X350D
R
unning changes to Ford’s popular Australian-
developed Ranger ute now sees autonomous
emergency braking (AEB) fitted standard across
the expansive 29-variant range, from the XL single cab
chassis at $28,340 (plus on-road costs) to the high-
performance flagship Raptor dual cab pick-up priced
from $75,990.
In addition to the AEB system, which is clever enough to
detect pedestrians as well as other vehicles, the on-board
technology includes a lane keeping aid with driver alert
system, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam.
At the lower end of the range, XL and XLS models
benefit further with a new ‘acoustic’ windscreen that
adds a layer of sound dampening material for reduced
cabin noise and therefore improved levels of overall
comfort and refinement, while XL cab chassis variants
are set up to allow an optional rear-view camera to be
fitted and fully integrated into the Sync infotainment
system display.
This is particularly important for trade vehicles that
have specialist configurations at the rear end, with Ford
saying that the camera kit includes rugged heavy-duty
housing, brackets and wiring to ensure easy fitment to a
wide variety of tray types.
Pick-up models already have a rear-view camera and
rear parking sensors as standard, while the entire range
also features various other electronic handling devices
such as dynamic stability control (incorporating ABS,
load adaptive control and rollover mitigation), traction
control, trailer sway control, hill descent control and hill
start assist.
Ranger XLT buyers can also add additional advanced
technology with a more affordable Tech Pack, which costs
$800 (down from $1,700) and includes adaptive cruise
control and semi-automatic active park assist which
makes light work of parking the big ute in tight spaces.
All models are covered by a five-year/unlimited-
kilometre warranty.
T
he most expensive mid-size utility on the
Australian new-vehicle market has arrived in
the form of the Mercedes-Benz Edition 1 X350d
4Matic, priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs.
Mercedes often heralds its new models with a limited-
run ‘Edition 1’ variant from the factory, but this dark and
brooding flagship version of the V6-powered X-Class dual
cab ute is shipped here in top-spec X350d ‘Power’ form
(retailing from $79,415) and then modified with a host of
exclusive black design features and accessory parts that
turn it into the special edition.
The V6 is a purely pick-up affair with a permanent
four-wheel drive system (with low range reduction gear),
7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission and a 3.0L
engine developing 190kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
Available in black, white or grey body colours, the
Edition 1 has an array of black elements that are
designed to give it a menacing edge. These are found
on the centrally positioned star badge and twin-louvre
grille, front and rear bumper valance, fog light surrounds,
side door handles, rear tailgate handle, nomenclature
badges, beltline trim strip, roof rails and, perhaps most
noticeably, the 19” six-twin-spoke alloy wheels.
Not stopping there, Mercedes has also added sports
stripes on the bonnet, wing mirrors, V6 badge surrounds,
lower side lines and rear tailgate, while a black sports
bar and tubular side steps are also noted.
All the exterior parts and stripes have a high-gloss
finish when the body colour is ‘kabara’ black, while
matte-black paint is applied for those utes in ‘bering’
white and ‘rock’ grey. The bed lining and hard tonneau
cover are matched to the exterior colour.
The interior carries Edition 1 decals and unique floor
mats but otherwise sticks with the standard trim in the
X350d Power, which has loads of creature comforts and
safety equipment to help justify the top-end pricetag.