Rough, rougher, Raptor!
FORD’S NEW OFF-ROAD MONSTER:
The Ranger Raptor, Ford’s new off-road, performance pick-up truck, has been unveiled in Thailand. Last year Ford announced R3bn in production improvements to allow Ford to build the Raptor locally. Initial production however will be in Thailand.
Following the styling cues of its predecessor, the F-150, the bold Raptor grille sports the iconic block FORD lettering giving the vehicle its unique signature.
Behind this sits the heart of the beast, a new 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine that delivers 157kW and 500Nm of torque, mated to a 10-Speed transmission.
The turbo bearings and low-pressure (LP) turbo are water cooled to reduce temperature, avoid over-heating and protect the air induction components. Working as a team, the smaller, high-pressure (HP) turbo is connected in a sequence to the larger, LP turbo and is controlled with by-pass valves that determine the operating mode depending on engine speed. At lower engine speeds, the two turbos work in series, enhancing torque and responsiveness, while at higher engine speeds, the small HP turbo is bypassed, and the higher LP turbo provides boost to deliver more power.
Testing included running a ‘thermo cycle’ on the engine, heating both turbos to the point of glowing red for 200 hundred hours non-stop.
The Ford-designed and built 10-speed automatic transmission is shared with the F-150 Raptor and has been created with highstrength steel, aluminium alloys and composites to optimize durability and weight. Having 10 gears means a wider ratio-span resulting in better acceleration and responsiveness.
The Raptor stance is noticeably bigger from every angle, standing at 1 873mm tall, 2 180mm wide and 5 398mm long, with wider front and rear tracks at 1 710mm. Ground clearance is increased to 283mm.
A modified rear bumper comes with an integrated tow bar and two recovery hooks rated at 3.8 tonnes. Two recovery hooks rated at 4.5 tonnes can be found at the front, while towing capacity is 2 500kg.
The seats are specially designed for off-road high speed performance support, allowing the driver to engage in enthusiastic handling, while also providing superior on-road comfort. The use of technical suede on the seats for additional occupant grip shows the practicality behind the material choice.
Multiple long-distance drive events were staged to gauge just how the seats perform over an extended period of time, both on highways and off-road tracks to simulate customer usage. The dual hardness
cushion provides superior lateral support and reduced feel of any chassis vibration. This is achieved by a modified structure, using bolsters on the seat back for greater support.
When getting behind the wheel, drivers will notice the detailed cockpit differences, including the blue stitching and leather accents. The cluster has aggressive styling, encompassing a host of driver assist features. The steering wheel is distinctively different; new Raptor DNA lightweight magnesium paddle shifters for crisp gear changing are easily accessible near the perforated leather hand grip sections on the rim for precision off-road shifting when you really need it.
The frame design incorporates new geometry for the large suspension, providing the Raptor DNA increased track and wheel travel. Built to withstand high-impact off-road events, Ranger Raptor’s frame consists of various grades of highstrength low-alloy (HSLA) steel. The stiffened side-rails are made from increased HSLA grade steel to absorb off-road high speed impacts.
The front accommodates strengthened protruding shock absorber towers, while a new bespoke coil-over rear suspension with an integrated Watt’s linkage allows the axle to move up and down with very little lateral movement.
The braking system on the Ranger Raptor offers extreme stopping power through new and bespoke components. At the front, twin-piston calipers have been increased by 9.5mm in diameter, while the ventilated rotors are an impressive 332 x 32mm in size. At the rear, Ranger Raptor comes with disc brakes with a brake actuation master cylinder and booster to increase braking performance. The 332 x 24mm rear rotor is ventilated and coupled with a new 54mm caliper.
Raptor’s race-bred suspension has been specifically crafted to tackle undulating terrain at high-speed while remaining in complete control and comfort. The Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers (dampers) provide higher damping forces at full jounce and rebound to enable better off-road capabilities, and lower damping forces in the mid-travel zone for a class leading plush ride during on-road trips.
Designed for off-road endurance terrain, the dampers, coupled with the long travel suspension, allow for an unsurpassed damping performance off-road and a plushest of rides on-road.
Given the unforgiving terrain Ranger Raptor has been developed for, it needed an aggressive set of tyres to keep it stable on and off-road. All-terrain BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tyres have been specially developed for the Ranger Raptor.
Ranger Raptor also comes with unique underbody protection to deflect offroad obstacles. The bash plate is made from 2.3mm thick high-strength steel and meets enhanced capabilities for strength.
Ranger Raptor comes with a Terrain Management System (TMS) offering six modes for various driving experiences, which can be selected via a dedicated five-button switch located on the steering wheel. Each mode has been calibrated to offer the best possible combination of technologies working in unison.
The Raptor will be coming to South African roads, but Ford have not said when, or what it will cost.