Raptor a Jurassic leap over Ranger

The locally-built machine arrived at the Autodealer office and turned out to be one of my surprise drives for the year so far.

More than a badge

This Ranger Raptor is far more than that cosmetic upgrade; it’s a proper engineering exercise from the team at Ford Performance.  This Raptor “lite” is longer, wider and taller than a standard Ranger, while also being nearly 100kg heavier.

Inside, it’s familiar and not too dissimilar from a Wildtrak, however, you’ll have to do without some of the semi-autonomous driving functionality, but at the same time you gain a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red 12 o’clock stripe and bespoke Raptor embossed seats.

The biggest upgrade made to the Raptor is certainly its suspension, which includes coilovers from Fox Racing with a Watts Linkage at the rear. This in combination with the 150mm added track width, disc brakes all round, bespoke BF Goodrich tyres and updated driving modes make the Raptor an absolute weapon.

The nature of its suspension means that towing and payload capacities have been compromised versus the standard Ranger. On the plus side, you can demolish dirt roads, hit bumpy sections of gravel, get air over jumps and just act like a hooligan off-road better than in any bakkie I’ve ever driven.

Powering Raptor

There isn’t much wrong with the Raptor if we’re looking at it from a lifestyle double cab bakkie perspective, but the car’s undoubted Achilles Heel comes in the form of its engine. It’s the same diesel displacing 2.0-litres, featuring a pair of sequential turbochargers with a claimed output of 157 kW and 500 N.m.

The car is just so incredibly competent over imperfect roads that you get the impression that it could handle quite a bit more power and indeed, a provide a better engine note while you’re tackling a fast off-road section. The engine is helped somewhat by an impressive ten-speed automatic gearbox with planetary gears which really helps get the Raptor going while also allowing for good fuel consumption on the open road.

Driving Raptor

If you find yourself in one of these, select “Baja” mode, switch between two and four-wheel drive and tackle a fast off-road section, it’s amazingly adept at covering terrain at speed. There’s a private dirt road near my home and the way in which the Raptor handled the bumps and turns was nothing short of astonishing. It’s not just off-road where the suspension shines when on the road, its ride quality and refinement is commendable for a vehicle based on a bakkie platform.

Verdict

The Ranger Raptor exemplifies a lifestyle bakkie almost perfectly, with daily usability, real off-road ability and a cool factor that’s difficult to compete with. Those looking for something to tow their boat or caravan with would be better off with a regular Ranger or any of the other established double cabs for sale. However, those looking for something quiet, comfortable and incredibly capable of putting a smile on their face on a dirt road, the Raptor should be at the very top of your list.

Warranty

The vehicle comes standard with a 4-year /120 000 km comprehensive warranty, 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty, 3 years of roadside assistance, 6-year/90 000 km service plan with intervals every 15 000 km.

Price

Ford Ranger Raptor            – R786 400

Likes

• Fox Racing Suspension
• Slick gearbox
• Ride quality and refinement

Dislikes

• Could use more power
• Compromised towing and payload capacity
• Not as efficient as Ranger sibling