Taming the Tankwa in the Ford Ranger Raptor Special Edition
5 Nov 2021
Before I tell you about the Ranger Raptor SE, I feel duty-bound to tell you about where we spent many hours driving Ford's highest-performing and undoubtedly their toughest bakkie. Tankwa Karoo National Park is a national park in South Africa. The park lies about 70km west of Sutherland near the border of the Northern Cape and Western Cape, in one of the most arid regions of Mzansi. It gets very hot, dry and very dusty. Driving on this terrain, you are tempted to "gun it". And that's exactly what I did, with speeds in excess of 150kmph. The Raptor SE delivered with ease off the beaten track.
Driver’s seat
No other part of your vehicle gets used more than the driver’s seat, so the pressure to get the right blend of comfort and performance is immense, especially on a vehicle like the Ford Ranger Raptor. Designed for off-road enthusiasts, the award-winning Ranger Raptor has been optimised for driving at speed off-road and its seats were specially designed to provide grip and support but also comfort thanks to a dual-firmness cushion. It just feels good and in total control when you are in the driver’s seat. It’s like being cocooned.
Eye-catching
The new Ranger Raptor Special Edition enhances Ford’s thoroughbred bakkie’s commanding exterior and premium interior with the addition of several functional and styling enhancements – from eye-catching decals and red accents to the fitment of the integrated sports hoop and practical Mountain Top lockable black roller shutter. The Ranger Raptor created an entirely new segment in the light commercial vehicle market when it was launched in 2019, featuring an ultra-strong chassis, bespoke suspension and tyres, and a Terrain Management System to support the thrill-seeking outdoor lifestyles of true off-road enthusiasts.
Bold and unmistakable road presence
Featuring a choice of bold Conquer Grey, Frozen White, Performance Blue and Agate Black paint finishes, the new Ranger Raptor Special Edition adds twin matte black racing stripes – edged with red contrast lines – to the bonnet, roof, lower body sides, rear wings and tailgate to further emphasize the vehicle’s high-performance character.
Complementing the distinctive racing stripes, the front tow hooks are finished in red while the flared wheel arches, front and rear bumpers, door handles and signature Ford-embossed grille feature a matte black finish to create an even more imposing appearance than the standard Ranger Raptor’s grey exterior details. Also new to this exclusive model is the integrated black sports hoop derived from the Ranger Wildtrak, which adds further sporting flair to the Ranger Raptor’s muscular appearance.
Any mode any terrain
Also contributing to the Ranger Raptor’s exceptional performance on any road surface, the specially developed Terrain Management System (TMS) includes an exciting Baja mode, inspired by Mexico’s famous Baja Desert Rally, which enables ultra-responsive, high-speed off-road performance. In this mode, vehicle systems like Traction Control are pared back to allow spirited off-road driving without intervention from the vehicle’s on-board systems. Gear selection is optimised for maximum performance, and the mapping will hold gears longer and downshift more aggressively.
The Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) is also linked to the TMS, providing varying levels of assistance and responsiveness according to the specific drive mode selected. The TMS is derived from the system used in the Ford Everest 4x4 and features a full range of other drive modes including Normal, Sport, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand and Rock.
Engine and gearbox
As with the standard Ranger Raptor, the Special Edition is powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that delivers a maximum of 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque. This innovative powerplant offers high performance and efficiency, thanks to its combination of a small high-pressure turbo and a large low-pressure turbo that work to provide optimal performance throughout the engine speed range.
Mated with Ford’s impressive 10-speed automatic transmission, the package delivers outstanding responsiveness, refinement and fuel efficiency. Unique to the Ranger Raptor are steering wheel-mounted magnesium paddle shifters that give the driver ultimate control over the gear change points and driving dynamics.
Says Doreen Mashinini, general manager for marketing at Ford South Africa: “The unique exterior enhancements and cabin updates make our off-road performance bakkie even more distinctive and desirable, while the fitment of the roller shutter as standard significantly enhances practicality and security for our customers.”
Price
The Ranger Raptor Special Edition is priced at R965,300, while the standard Raptor Ranger is R920,300. All prices include VAT.
All-new Ford Rangers come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120,000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A six-year/90,000km service plan is included which covers six services. The recommended service interval is 15,000km or annually, whichever occurs first.
About Naresh Maharaj
Naresh Maharaj is a petrol head who loves cars and writing about them. He is also a Member of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists. Naresh is also an international sports correspondent and an acclaimed corporate MC and voice-over artist. Naresh is a sports/news producer for community radio stations and also an award-winning sports journalist. Contact Naresh on moc.liamg@123jarahamn.
