Police forces in the United Kingdom are testing out the Ford Ranger Raptor as a possible new addition to their fleets.
South Wales Police is the first to trial the off-road performance bakkie, which the Blue Oval brand suggests is the “perfect tool to access some of the UK’s most rural locations”.
Ford’s special vehicle preparation team in Essex has added full police livery to the Raptor, along with the requisite emergency lights and sirens.
Built in South Africa, the Ranger Raptor boasts high-performance Fox dampers, a strengthened chassis frame and uprated brakes, with its 2,0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbodiesel unit offering 157 kW and 500 N.m to all four corners via a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Ford reckons that’s “more than enough” to keep up with criminals attempting to make a getaway over gravel, mud or sand.
Interestingly, a Ford Focus ST estate is also being evaluated for inclusion in the UK’s police fleet.
