In-gear acceleration is seamless too, with adequate shove for overtaking manoeuvres and all-wheel drive grip endowing the Raptor with excellent stability during spirited driving. The twin-turbo six feels nonchalant and unfazed in regular conveyance, working with the 10-speed auto to provide positive and well-timed shifts. Rather, the petrol V6 feels smooth and refined, and while its new electric gear shifter requires some adjustment, the transition to low-speed and around-town passage is equally harmonious. It’s a positive portent to the way it drives as well.ĭepressing the column-mounted starter button, the Raptor makes a massive departure from its predecessor in noise and vibration harshness, no longer beset with the unmistakeable diesel clatter at idle speed. To be clear, the Ranger Raptor feels decisively better executed inside and out.

The shocks, which offer adjustable compression damping, work with the familiar Raptor suspension set-up of aluminium double-wishbone front-end and live axle with coils and a Watts link at the rear. The Raptor’s carryover 80-litre fuel tank capacity potentially precludes it from some of the long-journey adventures many Ranger owners lust after – though to be fair, cross-country adventures are strictly in its remit.Įngine aside, other upgrades for the new Raptor include moving from passive to adaptive Fox Shox Live Valve Internal ByPass dampers, with on-road and off-road tunes. Ford says premium unleaded fuel will improve performance, but isn’t compulsory. In the right hands, carsales understands a 5.8sec dash is possible and we achieved close to that on test.įuel consumption with the V6 officially climbs from 8.2 to 11.5L/100km – but in welcome news, it is compatible with 91RON unleaded. There’s also an active exhaust valve which changes volume depending on which driving mode you’re in, matched to a synthesised cabin noise, integrated “because the exhaust outlets are so far from the cab”.įord officials say the new Ranger Raptor is indeed “hot hatch quick” but are reticent to nominate an official 0-100km/h time. The V6 employs an anti-lag system in Baja mode that keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver lifts off the throttle to ensure rapid-fire response when the throttle is pressed again.

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