Australian-developed Ford Ranger receives 5 star rating

October 2011

The Ford Ranger has received a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating, becoming the first in its segment to do so in Europe.

The Ford Ranger received a score of 96 per cent for adult occupant safety and 86 per cent for child occupant safety. 81 per cent was also scored for pedestrian safety, while the car's safety assist systems achieved a 71 per cent score.

Through the latest computer technology, Ford Australia engineers reportedly tested the Ford Ranger 9000 times virtually before conducting 520 real-world tests.

"On the all new Ford Ranger, we did more crash simulations than any of our prior programs to ensure all parts of the car's safety performance were optimised," chief engineer for digital innovation at Ford Asia Pacific and Africa Adam Frost said.

"This was backed up by a comprehensive physical crash test program. The end result is a world class outcome we are all very proud of."

Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen was impressed with the result.

"With such good pedestrian protection, the Ford Ranger is undoubtedly raising the bar of safety in the category of pickup trucks, which had until now not proven to be the safest," van Ratingen said.