Ford Ranger Raptor
Ford recently introduced the firstever performance bakkie with longtravel suspension and Fox racing dampers. gq drove the fast and furious raptor on a flat, dusty kalahari claypan
THE FORD RANGER IS ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING BAKKIES IN THE WORLD, having sold more than 51 000 vehicles in Europe alone. Time to build an even tougher version: the eagerly awaited Ford Ranger Raptor.
The first thing you notice when you approach this performance pick-up is its bolder stance, which has tons of street cred and presence.
The Raptor features new bumpers, aluminium running boards and a mighty grille confidently emblazoned with the word “Ford”.
The Raptor is 16.8cm wider, 5.2cm higher and 4.4cm longer than a standard Ranger, which means it’s further away from the ground – 28cm, to be exact. The departure and approach angle has also been improved. The chassis is based on the Ranger Everest, only it’s significantly stronger. The Raptor is proudly produced in South Africa: Ford invested almost R3 billion in its Silverton plant to meet the demand.
And Ford chose a fitting location to showcase their top-of-the-range high-speed off-roader: a flat claypan outside Upington, flanked by red Kalahari sand dunes, was the ideal playground for big boys and girls to indulge in activities including drifting, high-speed rallying and dune driving. Unlike other new car launches, at this one journalists were encouraged to really push the Raptor.
I’ve driven numerous bakkies from different manufacturers. None of them would’ve survived the relentless punishment the Raptor endured during its launch week – from long jumps to high-speed gravel racing and wild drifting.
The Raptor’s
Terrain Management System (TMS) allows you to choose from six different driving modes (Normal, Sport, Grass/gravel/ Snow, Mud/sand, Rock and Baja) accessed electronically via the dashboard.
My favourite was the new Baja, which is named after the famous desert race held in Baja California, Mexico. Shock-absorber guru Fox gained a lot of experience during this off-road event, from which the Raptor benefitted, big time. Baja mode sharpens steering, transmission and throttle response while reducing stability and traction control, allowing for spirited, off-road fun, especially during controlled drifts at higher speeds.
In terms of the car’s suspension, the automotive acronym “PSD” stands for position sensitive damping. Raptor is a tough off-roader but drives comfortably on tar. Specifically designed, allterrain, chunky
285/7 043cm tyres from BF Goodrich deliver necessary grip.
The Raptor feels like a modified ride in one of Ken Block’s racecars. It’s hard to believe that it leaves showroom floors just like this. At first glance, a four-cylinder seems slightly underpowered, but the twin-turbo diesel delivers lag-free acceleration and enough power onand off-road. (Of course, a Mustang V8 is too frontheavy to jump.)
This Ranger is powerful enough to tempt even the most hardcore fans of the Hilux. One thing’s for sure, it’ll scare the hell out of their riders.