The all-new, next-level Ford Ranger Raptor has arrived, carving the way for the exciting new generation of Europe’s market-leading pickup.3
Designed to dominate in the desert and master the mountains, the second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance bar and embodies the smarter, tougher, more capable character present in every new-generation Ranger.
European Ranger enthusiasts have special reason to celebrate as the all-new Ranger Raptor is the first new Ranger model to reach Europe, with production already well underway and the first customers now receiving their vehicles.
Developed by Ford Performance, the all-new Ranger Raptor is the ultimate performance derivative of the latest Ford Ranger. With smarter technology controlling tougher, next‑generation hardware, Ranger Raptor blends raw power with mechanical and technical precision to create the most advanced Ranger ever.
“We’ve really focused on delivering a genuine performance truck with the all-new Ranger Raptor,” said Dave Burn, Ford Performance chief programme engineer for Ranger Raptor. “It’s significantly faster, looks incredible, is packed with new features, and it’s the toughest Ranger we’ve ever made.”
More power to play
The biggest news for performance fans is the introduction of an all-new twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine tuned by Ford Performance to produce 292PS and 491Nm of torque.
The twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine boasts a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block, which is around 75 per cent stronger and up to 75 per cent stiffer than the iron used in traditional castings. Ford Performance ensured the engine delivers immediate response to throttle inputs, and a race-bred anti-lag system similar to that first seen on the Ford GT road car and Focus ST enables rapid delivery of boost on demand.
The new anti-lag system keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, allowing for faster resumption of acceleration out of corners or through the gears when the driver steps back on the accelerator. In addition, the engine is programmed with an individual turbocharging boost profile for each of the advanced 10-speed automatic transmission’s gears, for optimised performance.
“The 3.0-litre engine brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most hardcore performance enthusiast,” Burn said. “The acceleration and raw performance of the new powertrain leave you grinning from ear-to-ear.”
To match this comprehensive performance, an electronically‑controlled active exhaust system amplifies the engine note in four selectable modes enabling Ranger Raptor to adapt its vocal character:
Quiet – prioritises quietness over performance to keep the peace with neighbours on early mornings
Normal – intended for everyday use, this profile offers an exhaust note with presence while not being too loud for street use. This profile is applied by default to Normal, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl drive modes
Sport – offers a louder and more dynamic note
Baja – the most striking exhaust profile in both volume and note, in Baja mode the exhaust behaves more like a straight-through system. Intended for off-road use only.
Customers also have the option of choosing a 2.0-litre bi‑turbo diesel engine, which will be available to order in the Ranger Raptor from early 2023 with first deliveries expected in the summer.
Hardware for heavy hitters
The all-new Ranger Raptor has a unique chassis frame and suspension compared to other Ranger variants. A series of Raptor-specific mounts and reinforcements for elements including the C-pillar, load box and spare wheel, as well as unique frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower and rear shock bracket all combine to ensure the ultra-tough pickup can handle punishing off-road conditions.
A high-performance off-roader like the Ranger Raptor needs the running gear to match, so Ford engineers completely redesigned the suspension. All-new tough yet lightweight aluminium upper and lower control arms, long‑travel front and rear suspension and a refined Watt’s link rear end have been designed to deliver more control across rough terrain at high speed.
“The suspension upgrades in the Ranger Raptor make the most of the new FOX® Live Valve dampers. The suspension adapts in real-time to enable exceptional on-road body control while absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road with ease, ensuring maximum control and performance,” Burn said.
The next-generation FOX® 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers feature cutting-edge control technology offering position-sensitive damping capability. These shock absorbers are the most sophisticated ever fitted to Ranger Raptor and are filled with Teflon™‑infused oil that reduces friction by around 50 per cent compared to those on the outgoing vehicle.
Linked to Ranger Raptor’s revised selectable drive modes, the Live Valve internal bypass system has been developed to provide better on-road comfort and off-road ride quality both at high and low speed.
In addition to working with the drive modes, the system works in the background to prepare the all-new Ranger Raptor for different conditions. As the shocks compress, different zones within the bypass system give exactly the amount of support needed for the travel being used, and work in reverse as the shocks rebound back to full height.
To provide protection against severe bottom outs, race-proven FOX® Bottom-Out Control provides maximum damping force in the last 25 per cent of shock travel. Similarly, the system can stiffen the rear dampers to prevent Ranger Raptor from squatting under hard acceleration, improving vehicle stability. With the shocks providing the right amount of damping force at every position, Ranger Raptor stays planted on both the road and track.
While the damper hardware is FOX®, the tuning and development work was carried out by Ford Performance using a mixture of computer-aided engineering and real-world testing. Everything from adjusting the spring rates to setting the ride height, valve tuning and honing the ride zones was performed to create the perfect balance between comfort, control, stability and traction on- and off-road.
Ranger Raptor’s ability to tackle rough terrain is further enhanced with some serious underbody protection. The front bash plate is almost double the size of the standard Ranger’s unit and is made from 2.3 mm-thick high-strength steel. This plate, combined with the engine undershield and transfer case shield, is designed to protect key components such as the radiator, steering system, front crossmember, engine sump and front differential.
Twin rated tow hooks at the front and rear provide flexible recovery options while driving off‑road; the design facilitates access to one of the tow hooks if the other is buried, as well as enabling the use of balance straps during snatch recoveries in deep sand or thick mud.
All-terrain control
For the first time, Ranger Raptor gets an advanced full-time four-wheel drive system with an all‑new electronically‑controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case. The Raptor also now offers both front and rear locking differentials, with the new front differential providing a valuable additional feature for hardcore off-road enthusiasts.
“While Ranger Raptor was inspired by desert racers, it’s also a supremely capable overlanding vehicle. Out of the box we’ve created an off-road vehicle that you don’t need to modify to get you where you need to go and back again safely,” Burn said.
Helping the all-new Ranger Raptor handle anything from smooth roads to mud and ruts, plus everything in between, are seven selectable drive modes, including the off-road oriented Baja mode, which configures the vehicle’s electronic systems for ultimate performance during high-speed off‑roading. 4
“We really wanted Baja mode to be the ultimate expression of the high-speed off‑road capability,” Burn said. “It’s a feature at the core of what the Ranger Raptor customer expects.”
Each selectable drive mode adjusts a number of elements from engine and transmission to ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering and throttle response. In addition, the gauges, vehicle information and colour themes on the instrument cluster and centre touchscreen change with the selected drive mode.
On-road
Normal – designed for comfort and fuel efficiency
Sport – more responsive for spirited on-road driving
Slippery – for more confident driving on slippery or uneven surfaces
Off-road
Rock crawl – for optimum control in very low speed driving over extreme rocky and uneven terrain
Sand – optimises gearchanges and power delivery for progress in sand and deep snow
Mud/Ruts – for maximum grip during launch and maintaining vehicle momentum
Baja – sets all systems to maximum attack for peak high-speed off-road performance
The all-new Ranger Raptor also features Trail Control™, which is like cruise control for off‑roading. The driver simply selects a set speed below 32 km/h and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain.
*Article Source http://www.fordmedia.eu
