PRESS RELEASE
The Next-Generation Ford Ranger Raptor has arrived. Designed and engineered to dominate in the desert, master the mountains and rule everywhere in between, the second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance bar as a pick-up built for true enthusiasts.
Developed by the Australian design and engineering team with Ford Performance DNA, Ranger
Raptor is the ultimate performance derivative of the Next-Gen Ranger. With smarter technology
and next-generation hardware, Ranger Raptor blends raw power with mechanical and technical
precision to create the most advanced Ranger ever.
“We’ve really focused on delivering a genuine performance truck with the Next-Gen Ranger
Raptor,” said Dave Burn, Ford Performance Chief Program Engineer for Ranger Raptor. “It’s
significantly faster, looks incredible, is packed with new features, and is the strongest Built Ford
Tough Ranger we’ve ever made.”
The biggest news for performance fans is the introduction of a new 3.0-litre V6 Twin Turbo
EcoBoost engine producing up to 292kW (392hp) at 5650rpm and 583Nm of torque¹ at 3500rpm
tuned by Ford Performance. This engine provides a huge boost in power and torque over the
current 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine.
The 3.0-litre V6 Twin Turbo EcoBoost engine boasts a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block,
which is around 75 percent stronger and up to 75 percent stiffer than the iron used in traditional
castings. Ford Performance ensured the engine delivers immediate response to throttle inputs,
and a race-bred anti-lag system enables rapid delivery of boost on demand.
Raptor’s anti-lag system – available in Baja2 mode – keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to
three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, allowing for faster resumption of acceleration
out of corners or between gears when the driver gets back on the accelerator.
“The 3.0-litre brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most
hardcore performance enthusiast,” said Burn. “The acceleration and raw performance of the new
powertrain leaves you grinning from ear-to-ear.
Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission – each gear programmed with its own boost profile
– Raptor’s new engine delivers effortless acceleration on gravel, dirt, mud or sand. An electronically controlled active valve exhaust system amplifies the engine note in four selectable drive modes (Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja2).
Drivers can choose their preferred engine sound by pressing a button on the steering wheel, or
by selecting a drive mode that uses one of the following settings:
• Quiet – Designed to prioritise low-volume over performance. Great for keeping the peace
with neighbours on early mornings.
• Normal – Intended for everyday use, this profile offers an exhaust note with presence
while not being too loud for street use. This profile is applied by default to Normal,
Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl modes.
• Sport – Offers a louder and more aggressive note, for when you want to shake things up
a little.
• Baja2 – This is the most aggressive of the exhaust profiles in both volume and note and
is intended for off-road use only
The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor has a unique chassis when compared to Next-Gen Ranger. A
series of unique mounts and reinforcements has been designed for elements including the C-pillar, load box and spare wheel. 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
Next-Generation 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 equipped coil-spring rear suspension have been designed to deliver more
control across rough terrain.
“The new suspension upgrades in the Ranger Raptor make the most of the new FOX Live Valve
dampers. The suspension adapts in real time to enable exceptional on-road body control while
absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road ensuring maximum control and performance,”
said Burn.
Soaking up those humps and bumps are next-generation FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal
Bypass shock absorbers with cutting-edge control technology offering position-sensitive damping
capability. These shock absorbers are the most sophisticated ever on Ranger Raptor and are
filled with Teflon™-infused oil that reduces friction by around 50 percent compared to those on
the previous Raptor.
While the suspension hardware is from 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.
Linked to Ranger Raptor’s revised selectable drive modes, the Live Valve Internal Bypass
system has been developed to provide better on-road comfort and off-road ride quality at all
speeds.
In addition to working with the drive modes, the system works in the background to prepare the
Ranger Raptor for different conditions. As the shocks compress, different zones within the bypass system give exactly the amount of support needed for the travel being used, and work in reverse as the shocks rebound back to full height.
To provide protection against severe bottom outs, FOX’s race-proven Bottom-Out Control provides maximum damping force in the last 25 percent of shock travel. Similarly, the system can stiffen the rear dampers to prevent Raptor from squatting under hard acceleration, improving vehicle stability. With the shocks providing the right amount of damping force at every position, Raptor stays planted on both the road and track.
Ranger Raptor’s ability to tackle rough terrain is further enhanced with some serious underbody protection. Made from 2.3mm-thick high-strength steel, the front bash plate is almost double the
size of the standard Ranger bash plate. 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.
For the first time, Ranger Raptor gets an advanced permanent four-wheel drive system with an
all-new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case, combined with front and
rear locking differentials, a feature that hardcore off-roaders will appreciate.
“While Ranger Raptor was inspired by desert racing, it’s also a supremely capable overlanding
vehicle. Out of the box we’ve created an off-road vehicle that you don’t need to modify to get you
where you need to go and back again safely,” said Burn.
Next-Generation Ranger Raptor’s seven selectable drive modes help with handling smooth roads, mud/ruts and everything in-between. ‘Baja’2 mode is engineered for high-speed offroading, with Raptor’s electronic systems configured for ultimate performance.
“We really wanted the Baja mode to be the ultimate expression of the off-road high-speed capability,” said Burn. “It’s a feature at the core of what the Ranger Raptor customer expects.”
Each selectable drive mode adjusts a number of elements from engine and transmission to ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering and throttle response. Depending on the mode, the colour scheme of the digital displays change to match the mode.
On-road
• Normal – designed for comfort, fuel efficiency and drivability;
• Sport – more responsive for spirited on-road driving; and
• Slippery – for more confident driving on slippery or uneven surfaces.
Off-road
• Rock Crawl – provides optimal 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;
and
• Baja2 – tuned for high-speed off-road performance with all systems set for maximum
attack
Next-Gen Ranger Raptor also comes with Trail Control™3 which is like cruise control for offroading. The driver simply selects a set speed (below 32km/h), and the vehicle manages acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain.
Matching the enhanced capability of Ranger Raptor is an all-new Built Ford Tough design. Emphasising the width of the pick-up are flared wheel arches, Ford truck DNA C-clamp headlamps, bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille, and the bumper that’s separated from the grille.
“Everything designed for the Next-Generation Raptor is there for a reason,” said Dave Dewitt, Ranger Raptor Exterior Design Manager. “We’re communicating what Raptor can do just by the way it looks.”
The Matrix LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps push lighting performance to new levels. Ranger Raptor features auto dynamic levelling and speed dependent lighting that can adjust the intensity of the beam in front of the vehicle depending on the speed at which you’re travelling. The headlamps also offer both static and dynamic bending capability as well as glarefree high-beams that help block light that could otherwise temporarily blind other drivers and cyclists.
The flared fenders accommodate a choice of two muscular 17-inch wheel designs, the optional one with beadlock4 capability, each wrapped in BF Goodrich® All-Terrain KO2® tyres. Functional vents, aero features, and tough, new-design cast aluminium side steps help enhance the look and functionality of the truck. At the rear, LED taillamps provide a signature link to the front. The Precision Grey rear bumper features an integrated step pad and towbar that is tucked up high to aid the truck’s departure angle.
The interior continues to emphasise the off-road performance and high-energy nature of the exterior. The cabin features all-new, jet fighter-inspired sports seats – both in the front and rear – that are not only more comfortable but also more supportive during spirited cornering.
Code Orange accents on the instrument panel, trim and seats are enhanced by Raptor’s ambient lighting, which illuminates the interior in an amber glow. A leather sports steering wheel with thumb swells, on-centre marking and cast magnesium paddle shifters completes the picture.
Next-Generation Ranger Raptor boasts a fully digital cabin, with high resolution 12.4-inch digital cluster and 12-inch centre touchscreen incorporating Ford’s SYNC 4A®5 connectivity and entertainment system, which offers both Apple and Android6 wireless smartphone connectivity. Compatible smartphones can be wirelessly charged via a pad at the base of the centre console. A Bang & Olufsen®7 sound system provides the soundtrack to your next adventure.
