What is it?
It’s a Ford Raptor, but not the Ford Raptor - you know, the American big pick-up with the engine from the Ford GT.
This is the more Euro-friendly Ford Ranger Raptor, a compact truck rather than an F-150, with an engine from Dagenham. But it’s still a ‘Ford Performance’ vehicle, so it’s claimed.
It’s better sized for our roads than an F-150, for sure, although these things are still relative, what with double-cab pick-ups being large cars generally, and this one being larger than the standard Ranger.
At 5398mm long, then, this Baja-inspired truck is 44mm longer than the standard worksite wagon, 2028mm wide (up 168mm) and 1873mm high (up 52mm), all because it’s beefier off-road. And how. Its separate ladder chassis has been strengthened at the front around the shock towers, along the front rails, and completely redesigned at the back, where the old leaf springs have been ditched, and there are coil springs and a Watt’s linkage to help locate the live rear axle and stop it swaying. There are uprated springs all around, and Fox motorsport dampers. It has been tuned to be at its best, off road, at speed, without loads. A rough track sports car, if you like.
That means ground clearance is now 283mm, up 51mm or 30%, approach and departure angles are improved and there are 17in alloy wheels bearing BF Goodrich KO2 tyres. As such, the Raptor, sitting atop the Ranger range and available with a double-cab body only, costs £48,785 on the road including VAT – £10,000 more than the next most expensive Ranger. More on which in a moment.
Join the debate
Bob Cholmondeley
I'm finding it very puzzling
that anyone could consider an Ariel Nomad a possible rival for a 2.5tonne diesel pick-up.
jason_recliner
But Matt!
I'm not in the market - for a new one, anyway - but it sure rubs me the wrong way that we designed and developed this beast and yet we don't get the good engine :-(
Pony boy
Ranger Raptor hasn't been
Ranger Raptor hasn't been announced for the US and may never be - the plant is running at capacity and Ford may fear cannibalisation of F150 Raptor sales.
Not sure which "we' you're referring to - unless you work for Ford Australia? The biturbo is the 'good engine' !
jason_recliner
Spammy McSpamface wrote:
Luck we have you, as there aren't enough spam posts in the Autocar comments sections!
Cheltenhamshire
Bob Cholmondeley wrote:
A Nomad is a fun off road vehicle. So is the Raptor. If you want a 4 door pickup that can go off road slowly, buy a regular Ranger.
It is almost like you didn't read the article. Happy to have helped.
Bob Cholmondeley
Cheltenhamshire wrote:
Typical of the kind of idiotic comment this site is becomming synonymous with.
Myk
Hey ho
I'm not sure you should accuse someone of being idiotic if you've not read the article correctly. Nowhere does it say the Ranger is a rival for the Nomad. It says that the way it goes down the (off)road is similar. It also says that it's one of those cars you might want, like a Nomad or a Phantom, even though it's difficult to recommend subjectively. These cars defy logic, and you either want one or just don't understand why anyone would.
jason_recliner
Bob Cholmondeley wrote:
... with which this site is becoming synonymous.
You're welcome :-)
Pony boy
A 'regular' Ranger is still
A 'regular' Ranger is still less capable than a Raptor off road, at any speed. Lots of body lifts, suspension upgrades and wheel/tyre swaps to increase off road capablity in most Ranger markets.
sipod
I think Bob must be joking
... back to the car, I think it looks awesome.
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