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Ford has taken the covers off its new monster truck before it arrives later this year with one feature sure to excite Aussie fans.
This is the Ford Ranger Raptor fans have been waiting for.
The Blue Oval has taken the covers off its new Australian designed and engineered high-performance monster ute, which is expected to go on sale towards the end of this year.
Headlining the upgrades to the beefy off-road dual-cab ute is a new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine making a hefty 292kW and 583Nm.
That’s is a sizeable jump over the current version, which is powered by a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel unit making 157kW and 500Nm.
Dave Burn, the chief Ford Performance engineer for Ranger Raptor, says the new engine takes the truck to a new level.
“The 3.0-litre brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most hardcore performance enthusiast,” says Mr Burn.
“The acceleration and raw performance of the new powertrain leaves you grinning from ear-to-ear. This truck has character. This truck has personality. It is seriously fun to drive and has awesome performance, with looks and sound to match”.
Ford has paired the new petrol engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a much improved four-wheel drive set-up.
Ford Performance Program Manager, Justin Capicchiano, says the new Raptor is a full minute faster than the previous version around a 10km test track, thanks mainly to the “race-bred” twin-turbo V6.
“It’s efficient, modern, powerful and it’s an engine that’s perfectly suited to the character of this truck,” he says.
Despite the big boost in on-road performance provided by the potent new engine, the Ranger Raptor has kept its off-road focus.
The permanent four-wheel drive set-up uses separate front and rear locking differentials and has high and low gears for increased off-road ability.
Adaptable Fox suspension has been designed to cope with punishing off-road driving.
Mr Burn says the new Raptor is a genuine performance truck and is faster and tougher than before.
“The new 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, ensuring maximum control and performance,” he says.
He says the new model has been designed with a better compromise between off-road ability, tarmac traction and comfort.
Drivers can choose from seven driving modes. Normal, Sport and Slippery are designed for bitumen, while Rock Crawl, Sand, Mud/Ruts and Baja for the rough stuff. Baja is its most focused mode, designed for high-speed off-road driving.
The different modes adjust throttle sensitivity, exhaust note, gear shifts, ABS and stability control calibration and steering feel. In Baja mode, an anti-lag feature keeps the turbos spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off, for better response when acceleration resumes.
Users can also customise the driving modes so they can mix and match the parts they like from each mode.
Tough performance is matched by its new beefed-up looks. A chunky front end is dominated by giant letters spelling out Ford and C-shaped LED daytime running lights. A bulging bonnet with air intakes and dual exhaust pipes shows off its performance intent.
David Dewitt, exterior design manager at Ford Australia, says the Raptor is designed to be recognised at the slightest glance.
“The key thing with the design of the Raptor is that just by looking at it you can know exactly what it’s capable of doing. This next-gen Raptor looks like it’s been to the gym and beefed up,” he says.
Inside the Raptor scores big tech upgrades including a giant 12-inch tablet-styled central display combined with a 12.4-inch digital instrument display.
There is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad and a Bang and Olufsen stereo.
Ford has paid attention to detail with a multitude of new small elements such as new leather and suede materials, interior paint colours and materials used throughout.
Ford will reveal prices closer to the vehicle’s launch date, but it is likely to be more than the circa-$80,000 (before on-road costs) of the current version.
– with Richard Blackburn
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Ford has taken the covers off its new monster truck before it arrives later this year with one feature sure to excite Aussie fans.
This is the Ford Ranger Raptor fans have been waiting for.
The Blue Oval has taken the covers off its new Australian designed and engineered high-performance monster ute, which is expected to go on sale towards the end of this year.
Headlining the upgrades to the beefy off-road dual-cab ute is a new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine making a hefty 292kW and 583Nm.
That’s is a sizeable jump over the current version, which is powered by a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel unit making 157kW and 500Nm.
Dave Burn, the chief Ford Performance engineer for Ranger Raptor, says the new engine takes the truck to a new level.
“The 3.0-litre brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most hardcore performance enthusiast,” says Mr Burn.
“The acceleration and raw performance of the new powertrain leaves you grinning from ear-to-ear. This truck has character. This truck has personality. It is seriously fun to drive and has awesome performance, with looks and sound to match”.
Ford has paired the new petrol engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a much improved four-wheel drive set-up.
Ford Performance Program Manager, Justin Capicchiano, says the new Raptor is a full minute faster than the previous version around a 10km test track, thanks mainly to the “race-bred” twin-turbo V6.
“It’s efficient, modern, powerful and it’s an engine that’s perfectly suited to the character of this truck,” he says.
Despite the big boost in on-road performance provided by the potent new engine, the Ranger Raptor has kept its off-road focus.
The permanent four-wheel drive set-up uses separate front and rear locking differentials and has high and low gears for increased off-road ability.
Adaptable Fox suspension has been designed to cope with punishing off-road driving.
Mr Burn says the new Raptor is a genuine performance truck and is faster and tougher than before.
“The new 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, ensuring maximum control and performance,” he says.
He says the new model has been designed with a better compromise between off-road ability, tarmac traction and comfort.
Drivers can choose from seven driving modes. Normal, Sport and Slippery are designed for bitumen, while Rock Crawl, Sand, Mud/Ruts and Baja for the rough stuff. Baja is its most focused mode, designed for high-speed off-road driving.
The different modes adjust throttle sensitivity, exhaust note, gear shifts, ABS and stability control calibration and steering feel. In Baja mode, an anti-lag feature keeps the turbos spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off, for better response when acceleration resumes.
Users can also customise the driving modes so they can mix and match the parts they like from each mode.
Tough performance is matched by its new beefed-up looks. A chunky front end is dominated by giant letters spelling out Ford and C-shaped LED daytime running lights. A bulging bonnet with air intakes and dual exhaust pipes shows off its performance intent.
David Dewitt, exterior design manager at Ford Australia, says the Raptor is designed to be recognised at the slightest glance.
“The key thing with the design of the Raptor is that just by looking at it you can know exactly what it’s capable of doing. This next-gen Raptor looks like it’s been to the gym and beefed up,” he says.
Inside the Raptor scores big tech upgrades including a giant 12-inch tablet-styled central display combined with a 12.4-inch digital instrument display.
There is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad and a Bang and Olufsen stereo.
Ford has paid attention to detail with a multitude of new small elements such as new leather and suede materials, interior paint colours and materials used throughout.
Ford will reveal prices closer to the vehicle’s launch date, but it is likely to be more than the circa-$80,000 (before on-road costs) of the current version.
– with Richard Blackburn
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