THE next-generation Ranger Raptor is not only built to dominate the deserts and master the mountains, but thanks to the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 model’s new active valve twin exhaust system and four drive modes – including Quiet mode for early morning starts – it’s designed to keep the peace around town, too.
The system is designed to control the noise emitted from the next-gen Ranger Raptor’s powerful 292kW 3.0L twin-turbo V6 via an active exhaust system that opens valves – much like a saxophone or a large pipe organ – to change the sound of the car based on the driver’s mood.
“For the next Ranger Raptor we wanted to really make the character of the car come alive, to emphasise the power and define the presence of the vehicle, but not make the car tiring when it didn’t need to be. We spent hundreds of hours tuning and developing the sound of the vehicle and really think we have something that sounds right for the bakkie,” said Justin Capicchiano, Ford Performance and special vehicle engineering manager.
The system can be controlled by the driver based on their preference using the ‘Exhaust Mode’ button, or automatically according to the drive mode they’ve selected: Quiet, Normal, Sport or Bajai.
Keep it quiet
One of the key features customers love most about performance vehicles like next-gen Ranger Raptor is their powerful exhaust note. And while that exhilarating sound is appropriate on the motorway or out in remote areas, in your neighborhood – especially early in the morning or late at night – not so much.
By selecting Quiet mode, owners can keep the exhaust sound to a minimum. Even better, next-gen Ranger Raptor allows the scheduling of “quiet start”, which allows owners to set Ranger Raptor to always start in Quiet mode, or set a quiet time (with start and end times) to help owners stay on the good side of their neighbours.
Manual control
To change the exhaust sound all you have to do is press the button on the steering wheel that looks like an exhaust pipe. The first press displays a pop-up message on the digital instrument cluster of the selected mode, while pressing the button again allows you to change the selected exhaust mode.
Modes:
- Quiet – Quietest setting for all driving conditions.
- Normal – Default setting provides a balance of comfort and feedback. Applied by default to Normal, Slippery, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl drive modes.
- Sport – Slightly louder than normal for spirited driving.
- Bajai – Loudest setting for off-road use only. Maximum exhaust noise under all driving conditions.
“There’s a lot involved in the science of sound, and we wanted Ranger Raptor to sound the way it looks and drives. The team had to consider and model everything from the whistle produced by the turbochargers to filtering out prolonged tones when driving at a constant speed,” said Capicchiano.
“From computer modelling to physical prototypes, the intention was to create a distinctive and emotionally exciting engine note that will have the hair standing up on the arms of those who hear it. We want you to know it’s a Ranger Raptor driving down the road before you see it.”
For fans of the Ranger Raptor who want to enjoy the distinctive Baja exhaust note, a ringtone has been created. It can be downloaded from the Ford South Africa website at https://www.ford.co.za/.
