WATCH: Next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor to redefine off-road performance

MANILA: The next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor has come. Engineered to conquer deserts, mountains, and dominate everywhere in between, the second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance standard as a pickup designed for true aficionados.

The next-gen Ranger Raptor is the ultimate performance version of the Ford Ranger. It combines superior power with mechanical and technical efficiency to deliver the most advanced Ranger yet, with smarter technology managing stronger, next-generation hardware.

In a statement, Ford Ranger Raptor Chief Program Engineer Dave Burn said, “We’ve really focused on delivering a genuine performance truck with the next-gen Ranger Raptor. It’s significantly faster, looks incredible, is packed with new features, and it’s the toughest Ranger we’ve ever made.”

The all-new Ranger Raptor is the first model from the next-gen Ranger lineup to be offered in Europe, with customer deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The next-gen Ranger Raptor is powered by an all-new twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 petrol engine tuned by Ford Performance to generate 288 ps and 491Nm of torque.

The engine features a compressed graphite-iron cylinder black that is approximately 75% stronger and up to 75% firmer than ordinary casting iron. Ford Performance assured that the engine responds quickly to throttle inputs, and a race-bred anti-lag system, similar to that used on the Ford GT road car and Focus ST, allows for rapid boost delivery on demand.

The new anti-lag system leaves the turbochargers rotating for up to three seconds after the driver releases the pedal, allowing for faster acceleration out of corners or through the gears when the driver reengages the throttle. For optimal performance, the engine is configured with a separate turbocharging boost profile for each of the innovative 10-speed automatic transmission’s gears.

“The 3.0-liter engine brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most hardcore performance enthusiast. The acceleration and raw performance of the new powertrain leave you grinning from ear to ear,” Burn stated.

The Ranger Raptor’s new power plant enables smooth acceleration on gravel, dirt, mud, and sand. An electronically controlled active exhaust system enhances the engine note in four selectable modes to complement this comprehensive performance, allowing the Ranger Raptor to adjust its vocal character.

The driver can select their desired engine sound by pressing a button on the steering wheel or choosing a drive mode that applies one of the following settings:

• Quiet – prioritizes silence over performance to avoid bothering neighbors on early mornings
• Normal – produces an exhaust note with presence while not being overly loud for street use, making it ideal for everyday use
• Sport – produces a more dynamic and louder note
• Baja – the most distinctive exhaust profile in terms of volume and note; performs more like a straight-through system; intended for off-road use only

The current 2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel engine will continue to be available in the next-gen Ranger Raptor starting in 2023, with more details to be released closer to launch.

The next-gen Ranger Raptor features a unique chassis. The C-pillar, load box, and spare wheel all have Raptor-specific mounts and reinforcements, as well as unique frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower, and rear shock bracket, ensuring the next-gen Ranger Raptor can endure rigorous off-road situations.

The suspension on a high-performance off-roader like the Ranger Raptor had to be completely reworked by Ford engineers. New aluminum upper and lower control arms, long-travel front and rear suspension, and a redesigned Watt’s link rear end have all been engineered to provide enhanced control over uneven terrain at high speed.

“The suspension upgrades in the Ranger Raptor make the most of the new Fox Live Valve dampers,” Burn said. “The suspension adapts in real-time to enable exceptional on-road body control while absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road with ease, ensuring maximum control and performance.”

The next-generation Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers are equipped with cutting-edge control technology that allows for position-sensitive damping. The shock absorbers are the most advanced ever fitted to a Ranger Raptor, and they are packed with Teflon-infused oil, which decreases friction by about 50% over the previous model.

While the hardware is from Fox, Ford Performance did the tuning and development work using a combination of computer-aided engineering and real-world testing. Everything from spring rate adjustments to ride height adjustments, valve tuning, and ride zone honing was done to provide the ideal blend of comfort, control, stability, and traction on and off the road.

The Live Valve internal bypass system, which is connected to the Ranger Raptor’s new selectable drive modes, has been created to give superior on-road comfort and off-road quality at both high and low speeds.

The system works in the background to ready the next-gen Ranger Raptor for various conditions. As the shocks compress, various zones within the bypass system provide the exact amount of support required for the travel being used, and as the shocks return to full height, the zones function in reverse.

Race-proven Fox Bottom-Out Control produces maximum damping force in the last 25% of shock travel to prevent catastrophic bottom outs. The system may also tighten the rear dampers to protect the Ranger Raptor from squatting under hard acceleration, boosting vehicle stability. Ranger Raptor stays grounded on both the road and the track, thanks to shocks that provide the optimum amount of damping force in every position.

The ability of Ranger Raptor to traverse through tough terrain is reinforced by some serious underbody protection. The front bash plate is composed of 2.3-mm thick high-strength steel and is nearly double the size of the standard next-gen Ranger’s unit. The radiator, steering system, front crossmember, engine sump, and front differential are all protected by this plate, which is integrated with the engine undershield and transfer case shield.

When driving off-road, twin rated tow hooks in the front and rear allow a variety of recovery options. The design allows access to one of the tow hooks if the other is buried, as well as the usage of balance straps for snatch recoveries in deep sand or heavy mud.

The Ranger Raptor now comes with an innovative full-time four-wheel drive system with an all-new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case and front and rear locking differentials – a key feature for diehard off-road fans.

“While Ranger Raptor was inspired by desert racers, it’s also a supremely capable overlanding vehicle. Out of the box we’ve created an off-road vehicle that you don’t need to modify to get you where you need to go and back again safely,” Burn stated.

Seven selectable drive modes, including the off-road oriented Baja mode, tailor the vehicle’s electronic systems for optimal performance during high-speed off-roading, allowing the next-gen Ranger Raptor tackle anything from smooth roads to mud and ruts.

“We really wanted Baja mode to be the ultimate expression of the high-speed off‑road capability. It’s a feature at the core of what the Ranger Raptor customer expects,” Burn said.

The engine and transmission, as well as ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction, and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering, and throttle response, are all adjusted in each drive mode. The instrument cluster and center touchscreen’s gauges, vehicle information, and color themes also vary depending on the selected drive mode.

The next-gen Ranger Raptor also comes with Trail Control, which is similar to cruise control for off-roading. The driver just need to set a speed below 20 mph and the vehicle will handle acceleration and braking while the driver focuses on navigating through tough terrain.

The improved capabilities of Ranger Raptor are complemented with an all-new look that draws on the bold styling of the next-gen Ranger. The pickup’s width is highlighted by flared wheel arches and C-clamp headlights, while the prominent Ford lettering on the grille and the robust separate bumper provide visual muscle.

“Everything designed for the Ranger Raptor is there for a reason. We’re communicating what Raptor can do just by the way it looks,” Ford Ranger Raptor Exterior Design Manager Dave Dewitt stated.

The Ranger Raptor’s lighting performance is pushed to new heights with matrix LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. The vehicle is also equipped with predictive curve lights, glare-free high beam, and auto dynamic leveling for improved visibility.

The 17-inch alloy wheels are wrapped with Raptor-exclusive performance all-terrain ties, which are hidden below the flared fenders. The pickup’s look and functionality are further enhanced by functional vents, aero elements, and robust, gripping cast-aluminum side steps. The Precision Grey rear bumper has an integrated step pad and towbar that is stowed up high so that the departure angle will not be affected. Meanwhile, the LED taillights give a signature aesthetic link to the front.

The interior concept continues to highlight the Ranger Raptor’s off-road capability and high-energy character. The cabin is equipped with all-new, jet-fighter-inspired sports seats that provide additional comfort and support during high-speed cornering.

The Ranger Raptor’s ambient lighting, which bathes the cabin in an amber glow, matches the Code Rode accents on the instrument panel, trim, and seats. The sporty sensation is completed by a premium leather sports heated steering wheel with thumb swells, on-center marking, and cast-magnesium paddle shifters.

The high-tech cockpit comes with a 12.4-inch all-digital center touchscreen and a 12-inch center touchscreen with Ford’s new Sync 4A connectivity and entertainment system that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility at no additional cost. The cabin also comes with a 10-speaker B&O sound system.

Ford has used the Raptor name on high-performance pickup trucks and utility vehicles in North America since the first-generation F-150 SVT Raptor, which was built for high-speed off-road performance. The Raptor badge was expanded to other global markets in 2018, thanks to the Ford Performance-developed Ranger Raptor.

In North America, Ford Performance recently unveiled the Bronco Raptor performance SUV and limited-edition Bronco DR desert race. Ford also recently showcased its rugged racing skills in the electrified era of the FIA World Rally Championship, with nine-time champion Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Isabelle Galmiche won the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 car.

The all-new Ranger continues this legacy, with a purpose-built vehicle that integrates daily tasks with performance never seen in a pickup of Ranger’s size.

“We knew that customers would expect improved performance with the next-gen Ranger Raptor, but I’m not sure they’re really expecting the enormous leap we’ve made,” Burn said. “It’s a seriously fun truck to drive and I think the raw performance is going to blow them away.”

Check out the Ranger Raptor's awesome video here.

Photos from Ford

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