The new Ranger from the Blue Oval was unveiled a while back but as always, performance fans were eagerly awaiting more information on the second-gen of the hugely popular performance orientated derivative – the Ranger Raptor. Today is the day that all is revealed – this is the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor!
There was a time when bakkies and all-terrain vehicles served the pure purpose of utilitarian use. As the consumer market evolved and niches were established, a hunger for performance in every segment became commonplace. The Ranger Raptor follows a similar recipe by taking a standard Ranger and evolving it into an off-road performance orientated model.
This time around, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has done away with the turbo diesel motor and now features a high performance 3,0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 which delivers 292 kW and 491 N.m. A permanent four-wheel drive system translates this power onto the road through a new electronically-controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case with front and rear locking differentials for when the going gets tough.
Like before, the super-bakkie features upgraded suspension in the form of Ford Performance developed FOX 2,5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers which can be modified on the trot to cope with treacherous terrain with seven selectable drive modes. Dave Burn, Ford Performance Chief Program Engineer for the model said, “The suspension adapts in real time to enable exceptional on-road body control.”
The new model is accredited to be the most advanced Ranger yet, combining raw power with mechanical and technical precision. “It’s significantly faster, looks incredible, is packed with new features and is the strongest Built Ford Tough Ranger we’ve ever made.” Burn further added.
What some of this marketing jargon means is that the Raptor is equipped with a rally inspired anti-lag system available in Baja mode which keeps the turbos spooled with peak power readily available. Ford encourages this drive mode exclusively for off-roading but it may just give some on-road orientated sports cars a run for their money in this setting. While automatic transmissions are far from anything new, the 10-speed found in the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has pre-programmed boost profiles for each gear which enables seamless performance delivery and acceleration.
292 kW is a fair amount to get the adrenaline pumping in a sports car let alone a bakkie that can kick up loose sand and gravel in myriad terrains. The Raptor offers four accompanying sounds to the EcoBoost V6 which include Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja; the last of which behaves “more like a straight-through system” and is only recommended for use off-road. Quite fitting for the rear mounted twin exit exhaust pipes.
The exterior looks similar to what digital artists had envisioned and the interior is unchanged from spy shots that were seen last week in what can be considered an attractive package. Beefier trim covers the extremities of the bodywork while bold ‘F-O-R-D’ lettering on the grille differentiates this from the more demure standard model.
The interior is fully digital with a customisable high resolution 12,4-inch digital cluster and 12-inch centre touchscreen boasting Ford’s new-generation SYNC® 4Av connectivity. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring are available wirelessly to play your beats through a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
While pricing and availability is yet to be revealed, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor seems to have answered many a cry from customers for more power, as well as a few other refinements as is to be expected with a new model.
Watch the launch video here.
