Ford has come up with a two-seat version of its popular Ranger double-cab pickup, ostensibly to provide a dedicated dry storage area within the cabin.

But the newcomer also follows in the wheel tracks of the Isuzu D-Max Commercial in creating a vehicle that enables eligible businesses to claim 100% plant and machinery allowance, and to apply the flat rate company van benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax.

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This financially benefits both the business and employees, such as farm, forestry and estate staff who have use of the vehicle for personal as well as business travel, albeit with room for just two rather than five occupants.

For the time being, the Ranger Double Cab 2-Seat is available to the most popular Wildtrak specification with a choice of hybrid petrol/electric or diesel propulsion.

But Ford plans to roll out variants to other established specs later this year and beyond.

Storage replaces seats

The Ranger 2-Seat ditches the rear bench of the regular models to create an internal load space separated from the driver and passenger chairs by what Ford describes as a “robust” bulkhead.

Aluminium panels replace the rear door windows and a mesh grille protects the cab’s rear window, which is now superfluous.

The rear doors give access to a load space liner and a heavy-duty floor with movable anchoring rings, creating an open storage area for toolboxes, work equipment, spares, wet weather clothing and the like.

The Ranger’s payload and towing capacity are unaffected.

Ineos is another manufacturer considering bringing out a vehicle of this type.

It’s already selling a two-seater version of the Quartermaster double-cab pickup in other markets and is gauging whether there’s enough interest to warrant launching it in the UK.