Ford: Allow me, my name is Raptor 🎥
HERE COMES A WHOLE KERL Pickups are among the most popular models in the U.S. despite the SUV boom and are not necessarily driven solely by tradesmen or farmers. Now Ford is launching the new Ranger Raptor.
The new Ranger Raptor jumps out of a cargo plane to land in Europe in time for its launch.
The market leader for flatbed trucks translated into ugly German has been Ford for years with the Ranger. For the presentation of the model, the marketing managers chose a spectacular stunt: A Ranger Raptor jumps out of a cargo plane.
Ford is deliberately giving priority to the high-performance Raptor top version. The more civilian variants will follow in early 2023.
Ecoboost V6 twin turbo with 288 hp
In the U.S., Raptor stands for a 450-hp F-150, and compared to its American brother, the Ranger Raptor comes to customers with somewhat more modest figures. The three-liter Ecoboost V6 twin-turbo produces 288 hp (212 kW) and 491 Nm of torque.
The powerhouse uses a ten-speed automatic to transmit power, and the engine, Ford's developers promise, is to transmit commands from the accelerator pedal spontaneously to the four drive wheels. Responsible for this is the so-called anti-lag system, which guarantees high boost pressure over the entire engine speed range. The technology, which originated in racing, was first used in the Ford GT and Focus ST.
V6 with strong sonic presence
To ensure that the environment also perceives the performance acoustically, the person behind the steering wheel can select four acoustic levels. In the "quiet" setting, the Raptor rolls discreetly over the road in a neighbor-friendly manner, while "normal" is intended for, yes, normal road traffic, and in the "sport" setting, the Raptor, according to the lyricists from the marketing department, spoils "sound-savvy ears with a louder, dynamic engine sound."
After all, "Baja" is intended solely for off-road use, and "opening all the flaps of the exhaust system helps the V6 "to have a strong sonic presence". For Bambi, that means restless times in the forest.
12.4 inch instrument cluster
The fact that the Raptor (German for bird of prey), which is launched as a double cab, does not want to play games is already evident from its bulky design with a format-filling grille and widely flared wheel arches. The Ford lettering is unmistakably emblazoned on the grille, which is framed by a C-shaped light signature.
A 12.4-inch instrument cluster provides access to the most important information, and a twelve-inch second screen is designed as a communications center
An ultimate performance pickup
The Raptor was tested in the Australian outback. The goal, in all modesty, was to develop the "ultimate performance pickup," explains Dave Burn, lead program engineer for the Ranger Raptor.
To this end, the developers thoroughly reworked the suspension and also gave the off-roader new Fox Live Valve shock absorbers to optimize handling characteristics on and off the road.
Seven driving programs to choose from
The Raptor is launched for the first time with permanent all-wheel drive and provides seven driving programs. For on-road use, there is "normal" for comfort and fuel efficiency, as well as "sport" for the more dynamic driving style and "grass/gravel" for driving on slippery or uneven surfaces. For off-road use, the settings "Stone/Rock," "Sand/Snow," "Mud/Rut" and "Baja" are used for sporty driving.
The Swiss market launch is planned for the end of the year. One can be curious.
