Ford has just unveiled the new generation of the Ranger Raptor developed by Ford Performance as the flagship version of its mid-size pickup offering the ultimate mixture of performance and off-road capability. The new Ranger makes the third addition to the current Raptor family next to the larger F-150 Raptor and the Bronco Raptor. Today, we get a look at the European and Australian specification models, but a North American version has been confirmed as part of the 2023 Ranger family that will be introduced next year.
Starting with the design, most
will see the Raptor either as a beefed-up Ranger coming right out of the gym or
a more sophisticated interpretation of its larger brother, the F-150 Raptor.
The flared wheel arches front and rear cover wider tracks and new 17-inch
wheels shod in massive 32-inch all-terrain tires while the ground clearance has
been increased. It also get bespoke bumpers with skid plates, aluminum side
steps, a signature grille with Ford lettering, bonnet scoops, and Raptor
stickers. Underbody protection has been enhanced with a larger front bash plate
made of 2.3-inch thick high-strength steel, plus extra shields for the engine
and transfer case. Finally, twin-rated tow hooks on both ends will help with
recovery in the unlikely event of getting stuck.
Inside, Ford added a pair of
sports seats inspired by jet fighters that offer greater support. Other unique
touches include red stitching, heated premium leather steering wheel with
magnesium paddles, and ambient lighting. You’ll also find standard equipment
features such as matrix LED headlights, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster,
a huge 12-inch central touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment, and a
10-speaker B&O sound system.
While the Raptor will still be
available with its predecessor’s bi-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel in
select markets, including Europe from next year, the highlight of the second
generation is the new twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 petrol engine offering
significantly improved performance. In European specification, the V6 produces
– a rather modest for its displacement – 284 hp and 491 Nm of torque, but is tuned to produce as much as 392 hp and 583 Nm of torque in Australia. Speaking of performance, the
company didn’t provide specific numbers but Dave Burn, chief program engineer
promised that the new engine brings “a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor
that will satisfy even the more hardcore performance enthusiast”. Justin
Cappichiano, Raptor’s program supervisor, revealed that the new Raptor was a
full minute faster than its predecessor in their 10-km long test
track in Australia, describing it as “hot hatch fast”.
As in the previous Ranger
Raptor, power is transmitted to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic
transmission. The permanent four-wheel-drive system has a two-speed transfer
case, front and rear electronic diff-locks, and the option of switching to
rear-wheel-drive. The driver can choose between seven drive modes – Normal,
Sport, Slippery, Rock Crawl, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Baja (ideal for high-speed
off-road stunts), altering many different parameters. Additionally, the Raptor
comes with an active-valve twin-pipe exhaust system that can be set to Quiet
(for early morning startups), Normal (daily use), Sport (louder), and Baja
(straight-through style intended for off-road use only). Finally, the Trail
Control system that debuted in the previous-gen F-150 Raptor is the equivalent of
adaptive cruise control for off-roading. The driver sets a speed below 20 mph
(32 km/h) and lets the vehicle manage acceleration and braking while he/she
concentrates on steering.
Ford engineers reinforced the
chassis of the Ranger making it stronger and more durable for the Raptor. The
heavy-duty suspension comprises new upper and lower control arms made of
aluminum, a new set of Ford Performance-tuned active FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve
shock absorbers offering 50% reduced friction compared to the previous model,
and a refined Watt’s link geometry for the rear. Suspension travel has been
increased to 290 mm (11.4 inches) at the front and 250 mm (9.8 inches) at the
rear.
The second-generation Ford
Ranger Raptor will reach European dealerships in late summer 2022. This means
it will be the first variant of the new Ranger that will be available in
Europe, with the lesser Wildtrak following in spring 2023. The diesel variant
of the Ranger Raptor will arrive in 2023, but it will be available only in
select markets. Ford didn’t reveal pricing, but it is safe to assume that the
new Raptor V6 will likely be more expensive than its diesel-only predecessor.
As for the North American model, Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed on Twitter that
the Raptor will be introduced alongside the new Ranger in 2023.