Rossi-themed Fords coming to Oz

The term 'commercial vehicle' doesn't usually bring with it any great sense of excitement, but that might be about to change thanks to British motorsport brand MS-RT and its sole Australian agent, AUTOSource-International – as well as MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi!

Around 18 months ago MS-RT approached European auto design house Carlex Design to craft a very special series of Ford commercial vehicles, and now – thanks to Melbourne-based AUTOSource-International and Victorian dealership, Valley Ford, four stunning machines are available here in Australia.

Two of the are a Transit Custom and Ford Ranger in a VR46 theme, paying homage to MotoGP ace Valentino Rossi.

The Rossi theme came about through the MotoGP rider's connection with MS-RT and M-Sport, which is owned by former WRC driver Malcolm Wilson and which has headed up Ford's factory WRC team since 1997.

So what do these custom Fords actually entail? Well, the powerplants and drivelines remain unchanged, but the Rangers receive Pedders off-road suspension incorporating a two-inch lift. The Transit Customs, on the other hand, receive Eibach suspension and are lowered slightly – by around 30mm. Both the van and the pickup receive twin exhaust outlets at the rear, the tips emerging from a custom Carlex Design rear bumper.

The VR46 decals are cut from 3M adhesive stickers and guaranteed against fading for 10 years.

The Transit Custom is shod with Michelin Primacy rubber while the Ranger scores BF Goodrich All Terrains (in the K02 format with stiffer sidewalls).

The Ranger's tailgate comes with a custom top lip and a hydraulic strut to prevent it from slamming down when opened, but otherwise the tub – and the Transit Custom's load bay, for that matter – remain stock.

Inside, the Ranger and the Transit Custom receive nappa leather-upholstered seating (both rows in the Ranger), complete with embossed MS-RT logos. The seating features attractive contrast stitching, as does the gear lever shroud and steering wheel – a chunky sports item with a flat bottom that retains each vehicles' integrated controls.

Finally, the interiors are capped off with custom mats and, in the Transit Custom's case, custom instrument fascia with the MS-RT logo.

With no pricing difference between the MS-RT and VR46 themes, the Ranger is priced at $86,990 (including GST, plus on-road costs) in manual guise or $2000 more for the auto. Pricing for the Transit Custom is yet to finalised, but expect figures in the low to mid-60s.