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Sam Charlwood9 Apr 2018
NEWS

Ford Ranger Raptor priced from $75K

Dune-ready Ford Ranger Raptor to touch down from September

The highly-anticipated Ford Ranger Raptor will reach Australian showrooms in September with a price tag of $74,990 plus on-road costs.

The Blue Oval today confirmed final pricing and specification of its range-topping dual-cab, which will be available in a single, high-specification variant complete with BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, long-travel suspension and unique 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel with 10-speed auto.

Commanding a 22 per cent premium over the current Ranger Wildtrak ($61,115), the Ford Ranger Raptor will sit atop the Ford Australia utility line-up offering “the ultimate performance experience for off-road users”.

The go-anywhere Ford Ranger Raptor is yours for 75-large

At that money, it sits marginally above the HSV Colorado SportsCat+ automatic ($68,990), the high-spec Volkswagen Amarok V6 ($68,490) and the four-cylinder flagship version of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class ($64,500).

Only the upcoming V6-powered version of the X-Class, the X 350d, stands to shadow the Ranger Raptor on price – not to mention the slew of full-size American pick-ups such as the RAM, Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado.

But then, the Raptor adopts a slightly different tack to most of those competitors.

Produced on the same Thai dual-cab production line as other Ranger variants, the Raptor rides on a unique chassis that is said to be so different from the regular model that their tray sizes are not compatible. It also boasts a redesigned Watts-link coil-spring rear suspension.

Beefed up and jacked up, the Ford Ranger Raptor is coming in September 2018

Wider front and rear tracks, 283mm ground clearance, increased approach and departure angles and a 850mm water wading depth are complemented by long-travel suspension with Fox Shox, aluminium upper and lower control arms, heavy duty skid plates and underbody protection.

The Ranger’s torturous development included extended testing at Ford Australia’s You Yangs proving ground in Victoria.

Power comes courtesy of a new-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that makes 157kW/500Nm, sending drive via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

While some onlookers have questioned the Raptor engine’s meagre 10kW and 30Nm fillip over the regular 3.2-litre five-cylinder Ranger, Ford insiders are eager to stress that outright horsepower was never the off-roader’s major objective.

Even the cabin of the Ford Ranger Raptor gets upgraded

Rather, the Raptor boasts a six-mode Terrain Management System (TMS) across high-range and low-range settings, and using a locking rear-differential. This includes a Baja mode specific to high-speed moguls, we suspect.

The Ranger’s exterior is distinguished by a tough new body kit that uses LED fog lights, beefier guards, additional cladding and reinforced side steps.

Inside, the Raptor’s leather-bound seats are broken up by blue stitching, there is a specific instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch touch-screen with SYNC3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a perforated leather steering wheel and magnesium paddle shifters.

Expect demand to outstrip supply for this mean machine

“This is a fully warranted, factory performance vehicle,” said Ranger Raptor program engineer, Damien Ross.

“While Raptor DNA calls for extreme performance, the vehicle must meet the regulations, demands and expectations in terms of ownership experience that all of our products are measured by. That’s no mean feat.”

motoring.com.au understands that production of the Ranger Raptor will not be capped, suggesting ample dealer stock in Australia. However, immense pre-order activity means getting your hands on one of the first shipment vehicles could prove a tall order.

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