Ford unveils all-new Ranger Raptor
The all-new Ford Ranger Raptor adds much-needed petrol power to the range via an EcoBoost V6, though not in its full-fat state of tune. It also gets lots of hardcore off-road hardware to make it the ultimate Ranger.
The new Ranger Raptor borrows the EcoBoost V6 from the Ford GT.
The Ranger is a recent addition to the Raptor line-up, and while its last-gen model wasn’t as hardcore as other Raptors, the new-gen model surely takes things up a notch. For starters, it brings the petrol 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 to the table, in addition to the EcoBlue diesel, which will be re-added in 2023. And yes, there are lots of off-road goodies too.
Let’s talk engine specs first. The new EcoBoost engine produces 284bhp and 491Nm and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which routes the outputs to all four wheels via a new full-time four-wheel-drive system. There’s also an anti-lag system, which activates in Baja Mode and keeps the turbos spinning for up to three seconds after you lift off the throttle for instant response in tough conditions.
An electronically-controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case and front and rear locking differentials further add to its off-road abilities. There are also new Fox 5-inch Live Axle internal bypass shock absorbers, tougher upper and lower control arms, and a 2.3mm-thick high-strength steel bash plate, which protects vital mechanicals.
The Ranger Raptor gets seven driving modes – Normal, Sport Slippery, Rock crawl, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Baja. The engine, gearbox, four-wheel-drive system, Live Axle suspension, and even the new active exhaust are all fine-tuned for each driving mode.
Inside, the Ranger Raptor gets a 12-inch portrait-oriented central infotainment display, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-speaker B&O sound system, lots of Raptor badging, and red details to set it apart from the standard Ranger.
While there were rumours of the last-gen Ranger Raptor coming to India, they seem to have died down after Ford decided to stop manufacturing cars here. That said, the Ranger Raptor was being considered as a CBU, which could mean that an India launch of the new Ranger Raptor isn’t completely out of the picture.
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Ford India considering a comeback as an EV maker
