Gravel-road king
FORD RANGER RAPTOR 2,0 BI-TURBO 4X4 SPECIAL EDITION
Price: R999 150 0–100 km/h: 10,94 seconds Top speed: n/a Power: 157 kw Torque: 500 N.m CAR Fuel index: 9,96 L/100 km CO2: 220 g/km
What can we say about the Raptor that hasn’t already been written? For starters, this is not a regular Ranger Raptor – this is a Special Edition. Set apart from its lesser sibling by way of model-specific decals along the bonnet and down its doors, it’s also got red recovery hooks that match the interior red stitching and the strip of leather on the steering wheel in the deadcentre position. A matte-black front bumper and grille replace the dark grey units of the regular Raptor and match the lockable roller shutter atop the load bed and roll hoop of the Wildtrak model. In terms of visuals, it was easy to differentiate between a Ranger Raptor and the normal Rangers on the roads or a trail. It boasts a beefier body thanks to broad fenders and a unique bumper and grille. Don’t forget the massive chunky tyres and unique alloys. Between a Raptor and Special Edition Raptor, it’s less obvious, except to those with trained eyes.
The Special Edition employs the same 2,0-litre biturbo diesel with identical outputs; 157 kw and 500 N.m. It’s no slouch, even though it’s not the fastest sprinter to 100 km/h; straight-line speed was never the point of a Raptor. Still, its in-gear acceleration is quite impressive thanks to the calibration of its 10-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor also managed to average around 9,6 L/100 km when we were directly comparing it with the Hilux.
By now, everyone knows the Raptor’s main party trick is its
Between a Raptor and Special Edition Raptor, it’s less obvious, except to those with trained eyes.
Fox-damped suspension system (with a multilink set-up at the rear). It soaks up all manner of bumps, crevices and speed bumps with little effect on occupant comfort. And it only seems to get better the faster you drive. While the system provides it with excellent manners off-road, its on-road manners are also exemplary, if you don’t mind the extra width and height in tight basement parking lots. The only caveat to having the chunky set of rubber on the Raptor is that its steering is significantly heavier than on the Hilux GR-S.
Passengers generally found its leather/suede upholstery, dark tinted windows, general fit and finish and metal paddle shifters pleasing, but those tasked with opening the roller cover above the load bay were less impressed. The pull and twist in one direction to lock – and the other direction to unlock – required significant effort. It’s not very intuitive, so it’s odd that Ford didn’t just fit an electrically activated unit as standard. Although the heavyduty steel sidesteps are not as substantial or anywhere near as indestructible as pukka rock sliders, they did wear well all throughout our long-term period and occasional off-road jaunts. Plus, they had the added benefit of being quite wide, making ingress and egress easier, despite the Raptor’s 283 mm ride height.