WHAT IS IT?
The second-generation Ford Ranger Raptor has taken the brand to another level, with sensational power, glorious drive quality, sumptuous interior and striking good looks.
WHY THIS?
What a vehicle! Not only is this the top bakkie in South Africa at the moment, but it is also one of the very best all-round vehicles on our roads today. Virtually every aspect of the new Raptor has been exponentially improved over the first-gen, and it’s very hard not to love.
OUTSIDE
Man, has this car got presence. Not only is it bigger than its predecessor, but it looks bigger than just about anything else on the road. Flared wheel arches emphasise the width of the vehicle, as do the C-clamp headlights, the bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille, and the bumper that’s separated from the grille. Butch 17-inch rims shod with 285/70R17 BF Goodrich all-terrain KO2 tyres finish off the purposeful appearance.
INSIDE
The interior of the Raptor is perfectly in tune with everything else about the car – the aggressive, sporty exterior and the outright performance. The front and rear seats were inspired by those of jet fighters, and are not only more comfortable but more supportive during high-speed cornering.
The instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is actually a 12.4-inch display that can toggle though a number of menus such as off-road settings, media, navigation, and so on, all in full colour. A 12-inch touchscreen in the centre of the control dominates the cabin, which is beautifully finished in premium materials. There are numerous comfort and convenience features, as befitting a car of this quality and price.
THE DRIVE
The Ford Ranger Raptor has finally got the power to go with its aggressive countenance and that sensational suspension. A new twin-turbocharged 3-litre V6 petrol engine produces 292kW and 583Nm, nearly double the power output of the previous Ranger Raptor (157kW/500Nm). A 10-speed automatic transmission gets power to all four wheels. Obviously the Raptor is all about going off-road, so it has front and rear diff-locks, an easy-to-select 4x4 system with low range and a drive mode system for different terrains.
A mention must go to the Fox suspension, which is unrivalled in the bakkie world. Three different settings can be chosen from, again depending on conditions, and it provides an exemplary ride on the highway or when tackling the great outdoors at speed.
FINAL WORD
In bakkie-obsessed South Africa, the king of the bakkies is virtually the king of the road. At present there is no true rival to the Raptor, and even if there were it’s hard to believe that it would be better than this.
Interestingly, the Ranger Raptor is no longer being built locally at the Ford plant in Silverton. It’s a bit sad, but there’s good news behind it – the new-generation Ranger is being built there and there is such demand that extra space was needed to fulfil orders from more than 100 countries.
GO GET IT
The price of another bakkie has crept over the million mark – to R1 094 900, to be exact. And get this, there’s no service or maintenance plan included! Ford has been gracious enough to give a 4-year/120 000km warranty, though. Visit www.ford.co.za.
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