- The Next-Gen Ford Ranger Raptor takes performance and capability to new heights with its high-performance 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, which delivers 292kW and 583Nm. This is combined with an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system that features both rear and front differential locks, providing exceptional performance both on and off-road.
- The vehicle offers seven selectable drive modes that allow drivers to make the most of its capabilities. It also boasts a re-engineered suspension, complete with Ford Performance-developed FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers, which enable a smooth ride on any terrain.
- In addition, the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor features selectable settings for steering response, suspension settings, exhaust noise, and innovative new features such as Trail Crawl, as well as user-defined ‘R’ MyMode.
- The exterior of the vehicle is designed to be aggressive and purposeful, signalling its serious performance attributes. This theme is echoed in the cabin with fighter jet-inspired seats, an all-digital 12.4-inch instrument cluster, a 12-inch centre touchscreen with SYNC® 4A, and a dedicated Off-road SYNC screen. Overall, the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Raptor is a vehicle that delivers unparalleled performance and capability both on and off-road.
The Ford Ranger Raptor has arrived with its Next-Generation and next-level features, designed to dominate any terrain. As a pickup built for true enthusiasts, the second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance bar, with smarter technology controlling tougher, next-generation hardware. This latest model blends raw power with mechanical and technical precision, creating the most advanced Ranger yet.
Developed by Ford Performance, the Ranger Raptor is the ultimate performance derivative of the Next-Generation Ranger that launched in South Africa in December 2022. According to Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa, the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor completely rewrites the rulebook, elevating performance and capability to new heights, both on and off-road.
“Ford’s development team has focused on delivering a vehicle that is significantly more powerful, much faster, designed to conquer even more challenging terrain, tougher than ever, and has more aggressive and purposeful looks to match,” says Mashinini. The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor comes with a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine, a raft of changes to the chassis, suspension, steering, and drive modes, which have taken performance to an even more exciting and exhilarating benchmark. Ford South Africa is confident that the Ranger Raptor’s performance will blow people away.
Ford Ranger Raptor More power to play
Performance enthusiasts will be excited to learn that the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor comes with a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine, producing 292kW and 583Nm of torque. This nearly doubles the power output compared to the previous Ranger Raptor, which had 157kW, while adding an extra 83Nm of torque.
The engine features a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block that is up to 75 percent stronger and stiffer than the iron used in traditional castings. It delivers immediate response to throttle inputs, and a race-bred anti-lag system, available in the Baja drive mode, enables rapid delivery of boost on demand by keeping the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle. This allows for faster acceleration out of corners or between gears when the driver gets back on the accelerator.
The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with each gear programmed with its own boost profile. This allows the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor to deliver effortless acceleration on any surface. The electronically controlled active exhaust system offers four selectable drive modes (Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja) with different engine notes, ranging from mild to wild.
Drivers can choose their preferred engine sound by pressing the exhaust mode button on the steering wheel or by selecting a drive mode that uses one of the following settings: Quiet for prioritising quietness, Normal for everyday use, Sport for a louder and more aggressive note, and Baja, the most aggressive exhaust profile, which is intended for off-road use only.
Hardware for the heavy hitters
The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor has a unique chassis compared to Next-Gen Ranger. A series of unique mounts and reinforcements, for elements including the C-pillar, load box and spare wheel, as well as unique frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower and rear shock bracket all combine to ensure Next-Gen Ranger Raptor can handle punishing off-road conditions.
A high-performance off-roader like the Ranger Raptor needs the running gear to match, and the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s suspension is completely redesigned. All-new tough, lightweight aluminium upper and lower control arms, long-travel front and rear suspension and refined Watt’s link rear end have been designed to deliver more control across rough terrain at high speed.
The suspension upgrades in the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor make the most of the new FOX Live Valve dampers. The next-generation FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers with cutting-edge control technology offer position-sensitive damping capability. These shock absorbers are the most sophisticated yet on Ranger Raptor and are filled with Teflon™ infused oil that reduces friction by around 50 percent compared to those on the current Ranger Raptor. This allows the suspension to adapt in real time to the driving conditions, providing exceptional on-road body control while absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road with ease, ensuring maximum control and performance.
While the hardware is FOX, the tuning and development work was carried out by Ford Performance using a mixture of computer-aided engineering (CAE) and real-world testing. Everything from adjusting the spring rates to setting the ride height, valve tuning and honing the ride zones was performed to create the perfect balance between comfort, control, stability and traction on and off-road, with three settings available to the driver: Normal, Sport and Off Road. Linked to the revised selectable drive modes, the Live Valve Internal Bypass system has been developed to provide better on-road comfort and off-road ride quality both at high and low speed.
In addition to the suspension and exhaust modes, drivers can select from four steering modes from the specially tuned electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS): Normal, Sport, Comfort and Off-Road – the latter only available when Baja Drive Mode is selected. The system uses a larger EPAS motor with a faster steering ratio, and delivers improvements in steering effort, response and precision. In Baja mode the steering is specially tuned to sharpen response and precision, assisting the driver to position and control the vehicle with even greater accuracy.
Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s ability to tackle rough terrain is further enhanced with some serious underbody protection. The front bash plate is almost double the size of the standard Ranger bash plate and made from 2.3mm-thick high-strength steel. This bash plate, combined with the engine under shield and transfer case shield, provides protection for key components like the radiator, steering system, front cross member, engine sump and front differential.
Twin rated tow hooks at the front and rear provide flexible recovery options while driving off-road, with the added benefit of always being able to access one of the tow hooks (if the other is buried), as well as being able to use balance straps during snatch recoveries in deep sand or thick mud.
Ford Ranger Raptor All terrain control
The Ford Ranger Raptor Next-Gen model comes with a unique chassis that sets it apart from the Next-Gen Ranger. A series of unique mounts and reinforcements, including the C-pillar, load box, spare wheel, jounce bumper, shock tower, and rear shock bracket, combine to ensure that the Ranger Raptor can handle punishing off-road conditions.
The Ranger Raptor’s high-performance off-roader requires a matching running gear, and the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s suspension is completely redesigned. The suspension upgrades make the most of the new FOX Live Valve dampers, which offer position-sensitive damping capability, adapt to driving conditions in real-time, and provide exceptional on-road body control while absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road with ease.
The Live Valve Internal Bypass system has three settings available to the driver: Normal, Sport, and Off Road, and it provides better on-road comfort and off-road ride quality both at high and low speed. The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s ability to tackle rough terrain is further enhanced with some serious underbody protection, including a front bash plate that is almost double the size of the standard Ranger bash plate and made from 2.3mm-thick high-strength steel.
Twin rated tow hooks at the front and rear provide flexible recovery options while driving off-road, and balance straps can be used during snatch recoveries in deep sand or thick mud. Drivers can select from four steering modes, including Normal, Sport, Comfort, and Off-Road (only available when Baja Drive Mode is selected), with the steering system using a larger EPAS motor with a faster steering ratio that delivers improvements in steering effort, response, and precision.
On-road
- Normal – designed for comfort, fuel efficiency and drivability
- Sport – more responsive for spirited on-road driving
- Slippery – for more confident driving on slippery or uneven surfaces
Off-road
- Rock Crawl – providing optimum traction and momentum on loose surfaces
- Sand – for use in soft sand and deep snow conditions, optimising power delivery and transmission shifts
- Mud/Ruts – for maximum grip off-road during launch and maintaining vehicle momentum
- Baja – tuned for high-speed off-road performance with all systems set for maximum attack
The Ford Ranger Raptor Next-Gen model is equipped with Trail Control™, which is similar to cruise control for off-roading. The driver can select a set speed of up to 32km/h, and the vehicle will manage acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to focus on steering through difficult terrain.
The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor also features a new ‘R’ button located on the steering wheel, which is exclusive to this model and activates MyMode settings. This feature enables the driver to pre-program every aspect of the vehicle’s performance to their unique preferences, which can be easily accessed at the push of a single button. MyMode parameters determine the selected drive mode, along with the steering, suspension, and exhaust settings, as well as stability and traction control status and Trail Control. This provides drivers with further customizability to suit their individual needs and preferences.
High-energy design
The Ford Ranger Raptor’s design has been completely reworked, showcasing a new level of performance and capability. The vehicle has flared wheel arches, bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille, and C-clamp headlights inspired by Ford truck DNA from the Next-Gen Ranger. The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s design is functional, with Matrix LED headlights that provide dynamic bending lights, glare-free high beams, and auto dynamic leveling. The flared fenders feature a 17-inch wheel design with all-terrain BF Goodrich KO2 tires, and the rear bumper includes a towbar that increases the departure angle from 24 to 25 degrees. The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor is available in several colors, including the new Code Orange and Conquer Grey, both exclusive to this high-performance model.
The interior of the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor continues the performance-oriented, high-energy theme of the exterior. The cabin features jet fighter-inspired sports seats, a premium grade leather sports steering wheel with thumb swells, and a fully digital dashboard with a 12.4-inch digital cluster and a 12-inch centre touchscreen. The touchscreen includes Ford’s new-generation SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system, with both Apple and Android wireless smartphone connectivity and wireless charging. The cabin also includes a 360-degree camera system with a split-view display, and a dedicated Off-road SYNC screen that displays a range of off-road driving information such as steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles, predictive overlay guidelines for the 360-degree camera system, and the ability to toggle selected 4×4 features on or off.
Driver assist technologies
The Ford Ranger Raptor, as a range-topping vehicle, is packed with Ford’s latest and most advanced driver assistance and safety features. Alongside the standard suite of driving aids like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist and Hill Descent Control, the vehicle comes equipped with several other features.
For instance, the Lane Keeping System with Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Road Edge Detection is available to ensure the vehicle stays in the lane. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centring maintains a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead while Evasive Steer Assist provides steering support if a collision is imminent. The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage monitors the blind spots around the vehicle and trailer and alerts the driver of any perceived hazards.
Additionally, the vehicle has Active Park Assist 2.0, which automates the process of parking in tight spaces, and Pre-Collision Assist with Dynamic Brake Support, Forward Collision Warning, and Automated Emergency Braking. Reverse Brake Assist provides warnings while reversing into parking spaces and can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop if needed. Post-Collision Braking applies moderate brake pressure to slow the vehicle down in case of a collision, potentially reducing the risk of injury, damage, or secondary collision.
Part of the Ford Performance family
The roots of the Raptor name lie in North America, where Ford engineers used it on high-performance pickup trucks. It started with the first-generation F-150 SVT Raptor in 2010, which was optimised for high-speed off-road performance. Ford focused on detailed engineering upgrades around suspension, all-terrain tyres and four-wheel drive
In 2018 a new member of the Ford Performance family was launched internationally in the form of the first-ever Ranger Raptor. It debuted in South Africa in 2019 as a locally produced model, assembled alongside the rest of the Ranger line-up at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria. The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor is now fully imported from Thailand, with the Silverton assembly operations focusing on expanded production of the Next-Gen Ranger for domestic sales and exports to more than 100 global markets.
The original Ford Ranger Raptor spread the Ford Performance brand to a whole new audience of hardcore pickup owners around the world, introducing the Raptor name into dozens of new markets. The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor continues this legacy, with a purpose-built vehicle that balances daily duties with the sort of performance never seen in a mid-size pickup.
Ranger Raptor conquers Baja 1000
In November 2022, the exceptional capabilities of the Ford Ranger Raptor were put to the test in the SCORE-International Baja 1000 in Mexico, one of the world’s toughest and most prestigious off-road races. Despite being race-prepped, the vehicle remained stock and street legal. Not only did it complete the gruelling 1,000-mile (1,600km) round-the-clock event, but it also finished in first place in the stock vehicle classes.
Remarkably, the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor managed to finish the race without any major incidents or repairs, and was in such good condition at the end that the Ford Performance team opted to drive it back to base following the event.
Pricing (includes VAT)
- Ranger Raptor 3.0L V6 EcoBoost 4WD 10AT R1 094 900
Included as standard is a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.
Customers have the option of purchasing a Ford Protect service or maintenance plans up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
