Modified, bio-fuel 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor to compete in Baja 1000 rally

MANILA: In order to compete in the Score International Baja 1000, one of the toughest off-road events in the world, Ford stated that a 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor off-roading vehicle will be fielded at the event. The Ranger Raptor will compete using a low-carbon biofuel, showcasing this fuel's capability in the most difficult conditions.

The Baja-spec Ranger Raptor was developed by Ford Performance in collaboration with Kelly Racing of Australia and Lovell Racing of the United States in preparation for the upcoming Baja, which starts on November 18. One of the main off-road teams for Ford Performance is Lovell Racing, which is led by multiple off-road champion and member of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Brad Lovell.

Ford's Ranger has long been regarded as a global icon, and this particular vehicle was constructed and put through its final testing in Australia before being shipped to the United States for the endurance race.

“By entering this event, we’re building on the hundreds of thousands of kilometers of development testing and pushing the Ranger Raptor to new extremes,” said Brian Novak, Off-Road Motorsports Supervisor, Ford Performance.

“The Baja 1000 is a demanding event and a well-known proving ground for off-road vehicles,” he added. “We are excited to compete in this extreme event with Ranger Raptor.”

One of the most prominent off-road events in the world, the Baja 1000 is held on the Baja California Peninsula and draws participants from all over the world ready to conquer its miles of perilous desert terrain, sharp drops, and challenging climbs.

Both the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ford Bronco have competed successfully in Baja races in the past. There is a rich history at work for Ford trucks, whether it was a stock 2017 F-150 Raptor taking the top spot before traveling an additional 400 miles home, the Bronco R race prototype's development and verification of the current production Bronco, or even hailing all the way back to the illustrious 1969 overall victory.

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor, according to Ford Performance, is up to the task. It is constructed in accordance with Score's stock class regulations, which are designed to showcase the street vehicles' capabilities.

Shell's low carbon biofuel blend, which contains more than 30% sustainably produced bio components, will power and protect the Baja-ready Ranger Raptor's engine. 

“Demonstrating low-carbon fuels in performance settings like the Baja 1000 can help bring biofuels and other clean energy technologies to scale more quickly, and help to make them more available and affordable for everyone,” said Cynthia Williams, Global Director of Sustainability, Compliance and Homologation at Ford.

Ford is trying to accomplish science-based interim targets by 2035 and to become carbon neutral globally across its vehicles, operations, and supply chain by the year 2050.

Ford continues to explore and develop alternative fuel sources for all of its cars, including performance racing, as it introduces electrified versions of some of its most well-known nameplates, in order to give customers effective, low-carbon substitutes.

When comparing well-to-wheels emissions—which take into account emissions from both the production and use of the fuels—alternative fuel cars can lower GHG emissions relative to their conventional fuel equivalents.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the brand-new, next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor recently made its debut. The most recent pickup truck, created by Ford Performance, is the most durable Ranger Ford has ever produced. It is faster and more powerful than its predecessor.

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor packs next-gen hardware, and that starts with its chassis. The next-generation Ranger Raptor is designed to withstand demanding off-road conditions thanks to bespoke frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower, and rear shock bracket, as well as Raptor-specific mounts and reinforcements on the C-pillar, load box, and spare wheel.

For a high-performance off-roader like the Ranger Raptor, Ford engineers had to totally redesign the suspension. Long-travel front and rear suspension, new aluminum upper and lower control arms, and a reworked Watt's link rear end have all been intended to improve handling over rough terrain at high speeds.

The modern control technology is included in the Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers of the newest generation, enabling position-sensitive damping. The shock absorbers on the Ranger Raptor are the most sophisticated ones ever installed, and they are filled with oil that has been injected with Teflon to reduce friction by nearly 50% compared to the previous design.

Fox provided the hardware, but Ford Performance worked on tuning and development utilizing a combination of real-world testing and computer-aided engineering. For the perfect balance of comfort, control, stability, and traction on and off the road, every change from the spring rate to ride height, valve tuning, and ride zone honing was made.

Like the model it replaces, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor can handle anything from smooth roads to mud and ruts — thanks to its seven selectable drive modes. Among these drive modes are the off-road focused Baja mode, which tunes the vehicle's electronic systems for best performance during high-speed off-roading.

In each drive mode, adjustments are made to the engine and transmission, as well as to the ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering, and throttle response. Depending on the selected drive mode, the gauges, vehicle information, and color schemes of the instrument cluster and center touchscreen also change.

Not only does the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor boast different drive modes, but the characteristics of the steering, suspension damping, and exhaust system can also be switched by the driver. This, partly covers the “smarter technology” found in this performance truck. For example, by pressing a button on the Ranger Raptor’s steering wheel or selecting a drive mode that applies one of the following settings, the driver can choose their preferred engine sound.

Quiet mode tones down the exhaust noise to avoid bothering neighbors in the early mornings. Normal produces a distinct exhaust note, but one that is not overly loud for street use. Sport is true to its name with a more dynamic and louder note. Lastly, Baja — the most distinctive exhaust profile in terms of volume and note — is said to work like a straight-pipe system and is intended solely for off-road use.

The Malaysian-market 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor is powered by the same engine and transmission as that of its European counterpart. The powertrain consists of a three-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 petrol engine that courses its 391hp and 583Nm of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

A race-bred anti-lag technology, similar to that found on the Ford GT road car and Focus ST, ensures that the engine responds swiftly to throttle inputs, and it enables quick boost delivery when needed, Ford’s performance division assured.

Ford Philippines has now quietly removed the brawny Ranger Raptor from the company’s website — and that could be a sign of the next-gen’s arrival in the country.

Photos from Ford

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