As far as performance bakkies go, the Ford Ranger Raptor is completely in a league of its own. Motoring contributor Mpho Mahlangu recently spent time behind the wheel of the bonkers Raptor, and these are five things that stood out for him.
Raucous engine and exhaust
Starting in no particular order, the raucous engine, which is arguably the heart and soul of the Raptor, kicks off our proceedings.
In case you’ve been living under a rock in Bikini Bottom, the Ford Ranger Raptor is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine which produces … wait for it … 292kW and 583Nm of torque. And if you’re wondering if the tailpipes have any vroooom, I’m happy to report that the Raptor sounds like a wild animal - in a good way of course.
Accelerating in and around town is an addictive exercise as the Raptor sounds like what one would assume a Raptor should sound like.
As capable as the previous-generation Ford Ranger Raptor was, it always lacked that “wow” factor when compared to other Raptor offerings like North America’s F-150. The latest model rectifies that and leaves you constantly wanting to push it to its lengthy limits.
The one caveat perhaps would be the expensive fuel bill one would be faced with each month, but then, who cares? Those with deep enough pockets to afford a Raptor most likely have even deeper fuel ‘budgets.’
Bold and aggressive styling
The Ford Ranger Raptor is a multi-talented wild animal, and not only does it sound the part, but certainly looks the part too. Up front you get an intimidating front end with “Ford” badging across the grille, flanked by a set of the familiar C-clamp LED matrix headlights. A widened stance has been achieved, thanks to the extended wheel arches and along the sides you get firm and solid metal side steps which will survive any bundu-bashing excursions.
There are no two ways about - the Ford Ranger Raptor is an aggressive looker and is sure to garner owners’ respect from other road users as I experienced when taxi drivers on several occasions opted to give me right of way, simply due to the large-and-in-charge presence which the Raptor exudes.
Steering wheel-mounted driving controls
The performance-focused steering wheel found in the Ford Ranger Raptor offers a great deal of engagement with the driver, thanks to the addition of several vehicle functions which you’re able to control conveniently at the press of a button.
These include short cut settings for the steering wheel, dampers, and my favourite, the exhaust button. The latter opens and closes the valves of the exhaust system, regardless of the driving mode the Raptor is in.
There is also an “R” button, which is customisable and allows you to preset it to your liking. This combined with the solid-feeling mounted paddle-shifters and red centre stripe result in an unmatched driving experience.
Everyday practicality
While the Ford Ranger Raptor may be known for its off-roading prowess, and performance, perhaps a stand-out highlight is how practical it also is on a day-to-day basis.
In the cabin, you’ve got ample storage, however, the load bed at the rear further enhances storage and loading capabilities. You’ve got tie down points for when you’re loading items in the load bed, and although the payload isn’t as high as other Ranger models, most people don’t carry heavier than usual items on a regular basis.
The Ford Ranger Raptor essentially doubles up as a workhorse during the week and a sports behemoth by weekend. This, again, makes it unmatched and in a league of its own in that it offers practical usability for normal day-to-day uses.
Value for money
Lastly, we find ourselves at the asking price of the Ford Ranger Raptor. I’ve mentioned a handful of times in the piece about how the Ranger Raptor is in a league of its own, and how unmatched it is, and you’re probably wondering how much it costs - the answer to that being that it starts from a smidge over R1.2 million.
At that price, you simply can’t find an alternative which offers the same technological and performance features which the Raptor offers, let alone the overall packaging in terms of refinement and build quality.
The Ford Ranger Raptor has evolved exponentially over its predecessor and is now what petrol heads have always wanted from it. It combines strong off-roading capabilities, addictive performance and a price which is near impossible to beat, and that simply puts it in its own league.