Ford’s apex performance bakkie has no rival
FORD South Africa has just revealed pricing for its all-new, second-generation Ranger Raptor. Despite being the first Ranger derivative to eclipse the 7-digit price tag, its place at the summit seems well deserved.
Priced at R1 094 900, the new Raptor is only 10% more expensive than its predecessor, yet when one considers the 360-degree changes, it boggles the mind as to how Ford has kept the price so lean.
The ultimate performance bakkie — without a direct rival in SA's burgeoning bakkie segment — is headlined by its 3.0-litre twinturbo petrol EcoBoost engine punching out an angry 292kW and 583Nm.
Rarely does an improvement of this magnitude occur between generations, which has completely transformed the Raptor and untapped its full potential.
The electronically controlled active exhaust system
Ford's ubiquitous 10-speed automatic gearbox should offer a good balance between performance and economy, while shift paddles give the driver more control during dynamic driving.
Strangely Ford hasn't quoted any performance figures for its most powerful bakkie. But what's a performance vehicle without the sound?
The electronically controlled active exhaust system makes its debut, which amplifies the soundtrack according to the selected driving modes.
We counted seven driving modes in total, split between on- and off-road. The Baja mode is unique to Raptor, and besides altering the power distribution through the differentials and loosening stability, it also deploys Raptor's anti-lag system to keep boost pressure up.
It must also be noted that the Raptor can send power to the rear axle for added driving heroics.
Another signature Raptor trait is the Fox suspension. This has been recalibrated to include the latest generation FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers paired with lightweight aluminium control arms, long-travel front and rear suspension and refined Watt's link setup at the rear.
The latest design constantly adjusts to the terrain to provide the best traction from the F Goodrich® all-terrain KO2 tyres.
The epitome of performance
Outside or inside, the Raptor's design epitomizes performance in every definition of the word.
The grille and flared arches imbue it with a wider and beefier stance yet, at the same time, a refined modern appeal thanks to LED lights front and rear.
The seats are more sculpted than before, and the instrument cluster's orange lighting is more pronounced.
The dashboard houses a high-resolution 12.4-inch digital cluster — the largest yet on Ranger — and a 12-inch centre touchscreen boasting Ford's new-generation SYNC 4 connectivity and entertainment system.
The interior also features the 10-speaker 660W Bang & Olufsen sound system.
And just when you thought it was all play and no work, Ford added a 400-Watt inverter that also provides convenient 240V power to the load box in conjunction with a 12V socket. — News24