Next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor reaches another Asean market in Malaysia

MANILA: The all-new Ranger Raptor will soon be available in Malaysia. The Ranger pickup's bolder, more aggressive variant has many more features and much more to offer than the standard model.

The official debut of the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is scheduled for October, according to a recent announcement by Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), Ford Malaysia's official distributor.

Meanwhile, our neighbor Thailand is already taking reservations for the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor. As for Ford Philippines, it has now quietly removed the brawny Ranger Raptor from the company’s website.

The Ford distributors here, and those in the Asean region, are surely bringing the powerful and exciting pickup nameplate to this side of the world.

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 Thailand-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.

Previously, the carmaker said that the previous Ranger Raptor’s two-liter bi-turbo diesel engine will continue to be available in the next-gen pickup starting in 2023, with more details to be released closer to launch.

Considering how strongly the old bi-turbo engine puts its 215hp and 500Nm of torque on the road, it is easy to see why there is clamor and demand for an oil-burner under the hood of the next-gen Ranger Raptor.

Photos from Ford Malaysia, Ford

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