The Bare Bones

You might have already seen Ford Rangers driving around baring a Raptor inspired body kit and think you know what this vehicle is all about, you might think it's just a Ford Ranger Wildtrack in a fancy outfit, but if you do, trust me you are wrong, very wrong!

Under the skin, the gearbox is Ford's new 10-speed automatic transmission, the one which recently launched with the refreshed Ranger XLT and Wildtrack models. Under the hood is Ford's familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel engine (157 kW : 500 Nm ) as we find in the Wildtrack and the interior closely resembles a Ranger XLT or Wildtrack, however, from here onwards things begin to intensify.

Ford has lengthened and widened the Ranger's footprint. They have increased its ride height substantially by 51 mm and given it a new set of springs by Fox Suspension. The Raptor also features beefier aluminium suspension arms built to take more of a pounding as well as lengthened and strengthed magnesium alloy bash-plates and running boards.

More of The Magic

Ford partnered-up with BF Goodrich to develop a very special all-terrain tyre for the Ranger Raptor. With a 285/70 17-inch profile and the bakkies specially developed 332 x 32-mm ventilated brakes with twin-piston 51 mm callipers, the result is a vehicle which will take you from home to the most gruelling landscapes on earth and then back home again all without any hassle.

Further enhancing the Ranger Raptor is a meaner-looking grille with large bold FORD insignia. Widened flared arches and a larger dimension profile. The Ranger Raptor will even wade through up to 850 mm of water. All of this in a vehicle which has a svelte suede leather combination interior with Ford's Sync 3 multimedia interface and all the luxuries you could wish for.

Despite its tough appearance and truly incredible "You cannot break me" offroad qualities, the Ranger Raptor remains an incredibly competent on-road double cab.

The Split Personality

Comfortable on-road utility, sand warrior, rally performer, BAJA 1000 contender. No matter the conditions which are presented, a clever little drive select button allows you to reconfigure the entire attitude of the new Ranger Raptor. Whether being driven in 2H, 4H or 4L, nothing is too great of a task.

I have previously driven tough and rugged vehicles in some tough conditions, but nothing has ever let me do what the Ranger Raptor would.

While my mind said that 150 km/h was fast enough through rough gravel rock and bumps. Driving at over 135 km/h around a rough drift course and "getting air," in a production vehicle was a stupid idea, the Ranger Raptor was able to prove me wrong and do it all.

Conclusion

I went up to Upington expecting initially to meet a Ford Ranger which was wearing a fancy suit and had been toughed somewhat over the already very capable Ranger Wildtrack. I couldn't have been more wrong! The Ranger Raptor truly sits within a unique place in which it is the most rugged and offroad capable bakkie in SA on sale period and spending extended time with it, confirms what I had discovered on its launch. Available in one spec and variant and packed with features, it staggers me that Ford South Africa has been able to introduce it at a price significantly cheaper than that of other performance-based bakkie competitors currently on the market. While it may not be the fastest bakkie on the road, it certainly is the most rugged and capable one offroad and one which deserves all the praise which I can give it. This is one of a kind!

Read the full written review article with pricing of the new Ranger Raptor in SA at:

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Also, be sure to watch our review of the hot Ford Focus RS at:

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Ford’s compact pocket rocket Fiesta ST200:

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Ranger FX-4 limited edition:

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And, finally our drive in the ice-cool Ford Mustang 5.0 V8:

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