Like big brother with tough-guy image

By DAVID LINKLATER

Austin Powers has Mini-Me and the Ford F-series truck has ... the new Courier ute. The gigantic F-series lends more than a few tough-guy styling details to the new Courier, as well as a novel reverse-opening back door for the Super Cab models that Ford New Zealand is calling the Rear Access System (RAS).

Although the relationship between the pair might seem distant - one is an American-designed truck built in right-hand-drive in Brazil, the other is a Thai-manufactured ute that is also sold here as a Mazda - the chrome-laden frontal styling gives the Courier character and presence. And the model needs no justification - the outgoing two and four-wheel-drive Couriers have established themselves as No 1 and No 2 in their respective segments.

The single (two-door) and Crew (four-door) cab designs will be familiar, but the Super Cab RAS is new for the Courier. Developed by Ford for the American F150 in 1997, it is also a feature on the Kiwi-market F-series.

The Super Cab's occasional rear seats are now more accessible thanks to the removal of the B-pillar and the new reverse-opening rear doors. The RAS cannot be operated until the front doors are open, with the handles concealed on the inward edge.

The same door system will also feature on the near-identical Mazda Bounty, which is set for New Zealand launch in February next year.

The previous model's 2.6-litre petrol and 2.5-litre turbo diesel engines are carried over.

A worthwhile equipment upgrade has come with dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes on the XLX and XLT Courier four-wheel-drives.

Both items are also available as a $2000 option pack on other models.

Prices have risen substantially, by an average of 8 per cent across the range - a change justified by the revamped Courier's extra equipment, argues Ford. Eighteen variants are available.