Test Bench – Ford Ranger Raptor | A New Facet of Sport

The Ranger Raptor offers a rather original concept of sportiness: muscle, but with a certain roundness, vigor (5.5 seconds are enough to reach 100 km/h), but without brutality. This new model, whose production rate will be limited, also aims to give tone to the entire Ranger range.

The sporty pickup with a strong temperament is a tradition at Ford. The genre established itself in the early 1990s with the F-150 SVT (1993-2004). It continued until 2004 with the F-150 SVT Raptor, before brilliantly reborn in 2010 with the F-150 Raptor. Today, two other products adopt this exclusive cachet, including the Ranger, which, moreover, is undergoing a complete redesign this year.

Designed from the Ranger pickup truck, this new flagship of the range (the entry cost is set at nearly $80,000) has not skimped on the means. Specially prepared by the American manufacturer's Performance subsidiary, the pugnacious turbocharged V6 (3 liters) delivers more than 400 horsepower to the drive wheels through a specially revised 10-speed automatic transmission.

The originality of this vitaminized Ranger is obviously due to its powertrain, even more muscular, but also to its architecture. Indeed, the rigidity of the chassis has been reinforced, especially in the front part (cradle). The ground connections are also much more sophisticated than those of ordinary Rangers. We will notice first of all that the lower and upper suspension arms are here forged in aluminum. We also note the presence of shock absorbers and coil springs specific to this exceptional model. These combinations have the particularity of adapting to the seven parameters created by its designers to deal with different driving situations. These modes interact not only on the suspensions, but also on the powertrain and certain electronic aids (ABS and traction control).

The road behavior of this steroid-fueled van is extremely lively. In addition to the reinforced chassis rigidity, the classic but efficient ten-speed automatic gearbox allows this engine to give its full measure. In a straight line, this utility vehicle, well suspended and very well soundproofed despite its noisy tires, tends to erase the sensation of speed. A phenomenon to which particular attention must be paid.

Atypical behavior

A concentrate of mechanical power, this Ranger is not a bundle of nerves on the road. Ford has not chosen pure sportiness. The acceleration as well as the recovery are vigorous without being as aggressive as its consumption… Not only does this Ford have a strong appetite, but it also requires to be powered by Super gasoline.

On the other hand, you only have to start and excite the accelerator pedal a little to appreciate the beautiful sound of the V6, worked by engineers who are immersed in the world of motor racing. The timbre is deep and a little hoarse, with the characteristic melody of a V engine.

Stocky and perfectly balanced, this Ranger places itself without flinching in the bends by playing on the engine torque. No need to alternate between the brakes and the accelerator to place it authoritatively in the trajectory. The steering seems more precise, more direct. However, you have to be careful of the rather limited grip of the tires on public roads, unless you have the pretension of comparing yourself to a rally driver. When exiting a bend, such a powerful van will be much more susceptible during sudden acceleration and will show its bad mood by waltzing the rear axle or causing loss of traction. It should be remembered that the tires fitted to this desert Raptor have a negative effect on braking distances, and this, independently of the enormous jaws that close on its discs.

The Ranger Raptor is also transformed from the outside. The hood with its cleverly shaped gaps sets the tone, as do the more prominent fenders (the Raptor's tracks are wider than those of the mass-produced Ranger) and the distinctive grille. From the side, we notice the 17-inch wheels that are wrapped exclusively in BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO3. That's all there is to see. However, there's nothing to suggest that the Raptor has a lower towing and load capacity than the other Rangers. That limits its versatility.

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