Ford will present the production version of the new generation Ford Ranger later this year, but meanwhile unveils the first variant for 2022, the Raptor. The desert-inspired pickup will be powered by a 3-liter V6 petrol engine with dual turbocharging. Ford Performance ensures that the powerful engine is just one of many interesting modifications used in this “dune predator”.
In fact, the car manufacturer points out that the Raptor with the “normal” Ranger has only one common door. Other body elements have been created specifically for the sports version, and under the widened fenders are 17-inch wheels with off-road tires available only for the Raptor. The latter also features a specially reinforced chassis and a completely different rear axle suspension, which is based on coil springs and not on leaf springs. All of this to teach the new Raptor to “fly”. How is it possible? The Ford engineers responsible for this project openly admitted during the presentation that this car can “jump” and land without any problem. According to them, the new Raptor will be as good on the road as it is off-road.
Ford Ranger Raptor 2022, 288 HP and 491 Nm of torque
Hybrid? Not this time. Under the hood of the Raptor 2022 will be a 3-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, from which Ford Performance specialists have generated 288 hp and 491 Nm of torque. The EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo engine block is made of vermicular cast iron, which accounts for approximately 75%. more durable and up to 75% stiffer than the cast iron used in traditional castings. Ford Performance used a system borrowed from race cars to accelerate the response of the turbochargers (similar to that first used in the Ford GT and Focus ST cars). The manufacturer ensures that it allows a “turbo-hole” response to the gas and an immediate increase in power. Power goes to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Ranger Raptor is a multitude of driving profiles. The manufacturer has provided up to seven individual modes. The absolute novelty, however, is the “Baja mode”. What will change when the driver decides to use it? The Baja has a different engine mapping, a better response to the gas pedal, a different profile for ABS and DSCmodifications to the active exhaust and more aggressive suspension software. Added to this is the different appearance of the screens (12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch central touchscreen) and changes to interior lighting (amber light).
Ford is particularly proud of the suspension FOX Live Valve with electronic controlor that allow the pick-up to follow the contour of the ground. Shock absorber control computer is so “smart” which can sense when the car is in the air and prepare for landing. Another novelty concerns the active exhalation. The gasoline Raptor received two electronically controlled flaps in the exhaust system, which made it possible to program four “audio” modes: Quiet, Normal, Sport e Baja. It is worth noting that these are not files with the recorded sound of the engine, but the roars of a real exhaust system!
The high-tech cabin features a 12.4-inch full digital instrument cluster and 12-inch center touchscreen featuring the next-generation SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless compatibility at no cost additional. A B&O ten-speaker 6-speaker sound system delivers the right soundtrack for each new adventure.
A petrol version will be the first to arrive, but for economy-conscious customers, the company has announced that the current 2-liter bi-turbo diesel engine will continue to be available in the new Ranger Raptor from 2023. Unfortunately, the diesel will not have active exhaust. Ford has announced that deliveries to customers will begin in late summer, but sadly hasn’t announced pricing yet.