Ford'S farmers' favourite, the Ranger, is now being pitched at the lucrative lifestyle market.

Once regarded as an industrial workhorse for builders and the like, the Blue Oval is hoping its beefy Ranger pick-up will be attractive to those partaking in "lifestyle" activities.

Ford's marketing men would like you to think these "lifestyle" pastimes include mountain biking, jet skiing or surfing.

But, I fear, what they should really be taking publicity shots of are adrenaline-soaked activities like shopping and ferrying kids around - because this is what the marketing men really mean.

Let me explain. Pandering to the hearts of the rich, but ultimately lazy, car buyers, who know they should be doing something energetic, but can't be bothered to, is a clever ploy by car makers.

Advertising executives admit fashion-conscious buyers would rather people think they're "lifestyle" kind of people rather than them having to break into a sweat doing the energetic activities themselves.

It's similar to signing up for the most expensive, swanky gym in the borough and only ever being seen in the bar.

Although the Ranger looks like a car, despite its van-like proportions, I'm concerned that Ford's push for a slice of the lifestyle pound isn't going to go as planned.

You see, where the BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne have the badge kudos and a hint of an ability to tackle off-road adventures, the Ford only really scores in the mud-plugging stakes.

As you can see from my own excursions into a Basingstoke farmer's muddy ditches (pictured right), the Ranger can cope with the sticky stuff. But, if you wanted to score style points at the school gates, does this pick-up have what it takes?

Let's be honest, the very fact that I've been offered the chance to drive the Ranger is because Ford is keen to sell more to the everyday driver.

There's little doubt the machine can perform climbing feats most cars would spin wheels at. A colleague tackled Newbury Showground's off-road course and found the switchable four-wheel drive hauled the beast up steep inclines. Where this is all very well for rescuing sheep, the average buyer couldn't care less.

Unfortunately, on the road, I found the Ranger lets the side down, and it's here where it needs to excel if you're aiming for drivers who'll spend most of their time on the black stuff.

Whereas in the mud the steering's light, on the road it's over-sensitive. Again, where the diesel power-plant is sluggish on the asphalt, it's powerful and torque-filled when climbing hills.

Inside, some effort has been made to entice new buyers, but our double-cab test version still felt a little industrial.

There's no doubt that Ford makes fantastic, huge-selling hatchbacks and excellent saloons for the masses, but I think marketing men have gone a step too far with the Ranger.

As a niche-market 4x4 for industry it's great, but, please Ford, stop trying to kid us it's a "lifestyle" 4x4.

For details, contact Gowrings Ford on 01256 697880.