A high-performance version of Ford’s Ranger pickup truck will monster its way on UK roads midway through 2019.
The Ranger Raptor has been described by Ford as ‘bad-ass’, rather uncharacteristic of the blue oval, but there frankly isn’t any better way of putting it.
It uses a two-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, producing 210bhp and 500Nm of torque that’s all sent through a ten-speed automatic gearbox.
Ford stated what that means for straight-line acceleration or top speed but rest assured, it’ll be quicker than your average Nissan Navara.
Other key changes include the addition of an ultra-strong chassis, bespoke suspension and all-terrain BF Goodrich tyres that have been specially developed for the Ranger Raptor, as well as twin-piston front callipers and ventilated rear discs.
A six-mode terrain management system means no terrain is off-limits, be it grass, gravel, snow, mud, sand or rock. There’s even a ‘Baja mode’ that tweaks the engine for high-speed off-road performance, which would come in handy if you happen to be competing in the famous Baja Desert Rally.
‘The ultimate adventure pickup’
Leo Roeks, Ford Performance’s European director, reckons you should “forget everything you think you know about pickups”.
“Our new Ranger Raptor is a different breed – a thoroughbred desert racer and extreme lifestyle off-roader that can toil with the best of them in the harshest of working conditions – it’s the ultimate adventure pickup.”
Damien Ross, chief program engineer behind the Ranger Raptor, added: “The standout experience of the Ranger Raptor, hands down, is how far you can push it off-road and still ride like a millionaire on-road.
“From a driving dynamic fun standpoint, it is really an exceptionally special vehicle.”
Pickup sales are picking up
Pickups have historically been the reserve of the United States. They’ve got roads big enough to accommodate vehicles of virtually any size, but on the comparatively small, soggy island that is the UK, there hasn’t been much call for them.
However, that has changed in recent years;
Brits now have a big appetite for pickups and it’s getting bigger, with pickup sales figures steadily gathering pace year-on-year.
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Watch the Ranger Raptor in action: