AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
WHOEVER coined the “Big and Bold” must have had a vehicle like Ford Ranger Raptor in mind.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is big, rugged and muscular. It’s a big package that’s impossible not to notice.
This is one vehicle that makes a statement. It is higher and bigger than average cars, bigger than most 4×4 in its category. It has a presence. We had many people gawking at us in this car than in other exotic vehicles.
And the Ford Ranger Raptor talks. It delivers a specific narrative. One that shouts, in bold language and says: “I am here! Take notice! Let’s do stuff! Challenge me!.”
For a big car, the Ford Ranger Raptor’s handling is amazing. It is smooth on urban tarred roads and takes to and handles the outdoor terrain better than fish takes to water. We took it off-road and even in these conditions, it doesn’t lose its good steering handling. The great handling is the result of an innovation called the Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers. They provide higher damping forces at extremes for unparalleled off-road capability and lower damping forces in more moderate conditions for a smoother ride on-road. Front-wheel travel is increased by 32 percent, and rear travel by 22 percent compared to the standard Ranger.
One thing for sure this is a car for the active. It calls on you to either go mountain biking or engage in some form of extreme sports. It’s like a special adrenalin supplement.
The big black signature Ford grille is quite imposing and gives it a status above other cars in its category. It’s manufacturers when they said: “Take one look at the Ranger Raptor, and you know this off-road high-performance pickup means business. Its imposing stance, with 51mm taller ride height, 283mm ground clearance, 150mm wider front and rear track and 850mm wading depth lets you know that this is a serious off-road performance machine. A 32.5-degree approach angle, and ramp-over and departure angles of 24 degrees, provide an impressive go-anywhere capability. `’
Inside the cabin, you will love the bucket seats as you will *find* the sufficient leg and headroom. The seats are uniquely designed and trimmed in technical suede for maximum grip, providing optimum support during high-performance off-road driving, while also providing exceptional comfort when cruising in town.
Other sporting details distinguishing the Ranger Raptor include blue stitching and leather accents, as well as the aggressively-styled instrument cluster with distinctive red needles for the dials that emphasise the race-bred credentials.
The steering wheel features perforated leather hand grip sections, paired with Raptor DNA lightweight magnesium paddle shifters for crisp gear changes. The Raptor logo is debossed into the spoke bezel of the steering wheel and a motorsport-inspired “on-centre” marker – a red stripe at the top-middle of the steering wheel – gives you confidence to know where the wheels are pointing.
One big addition that works like a charm for new edition Ford cars is its entertainment system. The Ford Ranger Raptor is no different and its system is also linked to its unique safety features. A host of driver-assist technologies are available at the push of a button, incorporating unique design features tailored for the Ford Ranger Raptor.
For instance, Ford’s standard SYNC®3 with Navigation system offers a unique “breadcrumb” feature to leave a trail in uncharted areas – perfect for the serious off-roader. And safety being a number one priority, Ranger Raptor is equipped with Ford Stability Control (FSC), incorporating Roll Stability Control (RSC) that was specifically developed for Ford’s sport utility vehicle (SUV) range, and has been adapted for this exciting new Ford Performance model. It utilises clever sensors to anticipate and minimise oversteer, understeer and rollover incidents.
Under the hood, the Ford Ranger Raptor has a lot of power. The new 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that delivers a maximum of 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque and the 10-speed gearbox ensures much welcome fuel efficiency. It gave us just over 8l/100km.
And, for a big muscular car, the Ford Ranger Raptor is very quiet, irrespective of the road surface you’re driving on.
Truth is, if Dwayne Johnson was a car, he would be a Ford Ranger Raptor.
