We climbed into the new
Ford Ranger Raptor
to test the undisputed benchmark in sports performance among midsize pickups.
Brutal, overwhelming, off scale.
Powerful enough to write their own rules.
In 99% of cases, the evolution of a model is clearly better than the vehicle it replaces.
Now, can this increase grow so much as to double what was offered before?
The new Ford Ranger Raptor raises that level of transformation.
This super truck was presented for the moment as a preview, since
its commercialization will start from March
through a pre-sale (its market price will be known there), to only be available in May in official dealers.
The new Ford Ranger Raptor anticipates the arrival of the model that will be manufactured in Argentina. Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
In
Clarín
we already put it to the test and we demanded it as much as we could.
Spoiler alert
: the feeling that she left us is that we did not find the limit of her performance.
This new generation of the Raptor will arrive imported from Thailand, from where it is manufactured for the whole world, and it does so a few months before Ford Argentina begins to produce the conventional versions at its General Pacheco plant, after an investment of 580 million dollars to modernize the factory and adapt the new platform and the new production processes that this pickup requires.
an unknown beast
The premiere of the new generation of the Ranger in our country occurs, then, with the most powerful and bestial version that its range will have.
Which is, in turn,
the most powerful and radical midsize truck
to be found anywhere on the planet.
The power of the Ford Ranger Raptor's V6 engine takes this truck to a new dimension.Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
In fact, in Europe, this model is sold with a lower power level: the 288 horsepower with which it is configured in the Old Continent would already have been an extraordinary number.
But the power level chosen for Argentina puts this beast in an unknown dimension.
You have to understand this model as a recreational vehicle and not as a work vehicle, despite being a pickup.
It's like wanting to compare an everyday car with a Ferrari.
And there is no exaggeration in this, since
this is the equivalent of a Ferrari but in the shape of a flat
.
The previous Ranger Raptor, which arrived in the country in 2019, set a new standard for suspension behavior and chassis response for a midsize truck.
But it fell short on the engine: its 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel with 213 horsepower was very good, but more (much more) was expected for a truck with that dynamic potential.
The fact that there are no roads is not an obstacle for the new Ford Ranger Raptor. Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
For this edition, Ford Performance, the division of sports and competition vehicles of the oval brand, in charge of developing this model, spared nothing and put a
3.0-liter V-6 twin-turbo gasoline engine
that delivers a power of
397 horsepower
.
That is, almost double that of the previous version.
The torque is 583 Nm.
It maintains a
10-speed automatic gearbox
and a new traction system that expands the functions of the previous one: now, in addition to simple traction (2H), high four-wheel drive (4H) and low four-wheel drive (4L), it offers an all-wheel drive system automatic on demand (4A).
It retains the front and rear differential lock and the tires have the same size as before (BFGoodrich All-Terrain 285/70 R 17).
Jumping with the new Ford Ranger Raptor seems like child's play. Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
It also expands the menu of driving modes that is achieved thanks to the electronic management of the steering, transmission, engine, suspension and the sound that comes out of the exhaust pipes.
There are
seven driving modes
that it now has (against six from the previous one): Normal, Sport, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rocks and Baja.
This last option does not refer to the use of the transfer case (4L) but accommodates everything to be as fast as possible on uneven terrain.
In addition to these driving modes, a custom setup can be created by saving between different steering, suspension and exhaust options.
And the new shock absorbers of the Ford Ranger Raptor ensure that the landing is perfect.Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
a look inside
Before we get into the action, a brief hint at the interior is worthwhile, as it's important because it anticipates the upcoming National Ranger quite a bit.
The first thing to say is that it
offers more space than the previous model
.
Although the frame of the cabin is inherited from the previous vehicle, Ford managed to provide more space than before.
In the back, for example, a person over 1.80 meters tall does not even touch the knees with the front seatback, even if someone of the same build goes there.
The evolution of the multimedia system is also very interesting, now with a large
screen arranged vertically
, which allows it to be divided to have several functions available at the same time.
The instrument panel is also digital and offers a superb graphics quality, already seen in its big brother, the F-150.
The new screens of the Ford Ranger Raptor offer great image quality. Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
The multimedia system is compatible with Apple CarPlay (can be wireless) and Android Auto and includes a B&O audio system with 8 speakers, a wireless charger for the phone and a built-in satellite navigator (GPS).
The main equipment is completed with a 360° vision camera and two-zone climate control, among others.
The perceived quality in general is very good, but the decision to opt for a suede-like coating for part of the dashboard and seats is striking, when it comes to a vehicle that can raise a lot of dust (! And boy does he do it!).
The front seats, by the way, offer great body support.
Something fundamental in a vehicle that invites you to shake more than any other.
In addition to a new gear selector, the Ford Ranger Raptor launches commands for the traction system.
Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
In terms of safety, it has a series of
driving assistance systems
, among which the adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and lane centering system stand out;
pre-collision assistant with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection;
reverse braking assistant, automatic assisted parking and blind spot radar, among others.
making roads
The performance delivered by this new Ranger Raptor grows exponentially compared to the previous model.
And with that, this model sets new standards for a midsize truck.
Never before has there been a mass-produced pickup in this class with such a powerful engine and such overwhelming ability to move off-road.
Write new rules.
The response of the engine is monstrous, without bumps but with a moment of glory that starts from 3,500 rpm.
From there,
the almost 2.5 tons of weight of this flat become lighter
.
The Raptor will accelerate a lot, it moves very fast and picks up speed with amazing ease.
The front seats of the Ford Ranger Raptor offer great support.
Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
The sound reaches the passenger compartment and is the first generator of smiles.
The level of that “music” can be graduated, from quiet to “Low”.
And although in this last option he screams loudly, he seems to be quite content with respect to the power of the engine.
In fact, it goes a lot further than meets the eye.
While it's in the mid-rev range where it feels most prone to giving it all it's got, this V6 shows no effort to drop suddenly and quickly get back into shape.
The gearbox operates very fast and, in general, always makes the best decision to select a gear.
Different drive options adjust the steering, transmission and engine to give the best in every situation.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is unstoppable on any surface.
Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
On asphalt it has the same limitations as before
, since its wheels are not the most suitable for that type of surface.
Added to this is an aggravating circumstance: now the power is so much that if the pavement is wet you have to gently dose the pressure on your right foot.
To have an idea.
The previous Ranger Raptor, with the 213 horsepower turbodiesel, accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds.
This new generation does it in 6 seconds
, almost half.
But the best is in what it offers outside the asphalt.
Driving at high speed over uneven terrain has never been so easy.
The previous Ranger Raptor had the capability but not the speed.
This, on the other hand, is
a bulldozer that can travel at more than 80 km/h on a literally broken surface
while having complete control of the vehicle.
For more locked off-roading, the Ford Ranger Raptor also shows remarkable capability.
Photo Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
With so much power on your right foot, you have to find the limits little by little.
In Baja drive mode, designed for going fast off-road, you can choose to brake hard before entering a turn and hit the throttle before exiting or “drive” with your right foot, now there is plenty of power to it's.
The behavior of the chassis is masterful.
It maintains some 2.5-inch Fox shocks that were improved.
According to the manufacturer, they are now capable of
adjusting the compression up to 500 times per second
.
They recognize, for example, that if the extension of the suspension has reached its limit it is because the Raptor "is flying."
Then it prepares to land.
And it does it like when a 747 lands its landing gear on the runway: you don't feel anything inside.
There is no bump going down and there is no bounce.
The operation is irreproachable.
The Ford Ranger Raptor set the bar very high for its competitors.
Photo Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi
The sensations it transmits are unique.
Because although an F-150 Raptor is more powerful (456 CV) it is also almost 230 kilos heavier and bigger.
Each curve or each jump, we were doing them a little faster each time.
Trying to understand when he started to get uncomfortable.
There was no case.
Our sanity was more than the might of this pickup.
Data sheet
Length: 5,381mm
Width: 2,028mm
Height: 1,922mm
Wheelbase: 3,270mm
Angle of attack: 31°
Departure angle: 24°
Load box length: 1,505 mm
Cargo box width: 1,584 mm
Cargo box height: 512 mm
Load capacity: 635kg
Towing capacity: 2,500 kg
Wading capacity: 850 mm
Ground clearance: 265 mm
Fuel tank: 82 liters
Weight: 2,495kg
Engine: Naftero 3.0L, V6, biturbo
Power: 397 hp at 6,250 rpm
Torque 583Nm
4x4 traction with reducer
Transmission: Automatic, 10-speed
Top speed: 180km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6 seconds
Average consumption: 12.5 L/100 km
equipment
front airbags
Front side airbags
curtain airbags
Driver knee airbags
Stability and traction control
Adaptive cruise control.
with Stop&Go
Centering lane keeping system
autonomous emergency brake
blind spot radar
Camera system with 360° vision
assisted automatic parking
Multimedia system with 12” touch screen
Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto
wireless cell phone charger
Two-zone climate control
Sport front seats with electrical adjustment
imitation leather upholstery
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