Staff Reporter.

Ford has launched a new Special Edition Ranger Raptor model in South Africa, which is being produced in limited numbers to ensure exclusivity.

The new Ranger Raptor includes 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 new Ranger Raptor Special Edition adds even more dramatic style to this trendsetting model which remains unequalled in the popular bakkie segment two and a half years after it was launched in South Africa," said Doreen Mashinini, GM 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."

The Ranger Raptor Special Edition is priced at R965,300, its most expensive model, while the standard Raptor Ranger is R920,300. All prices include VAT.

Exterior

Featuring a choice of Conquer Grey, Frozen White, Performance Blue and Agate Black paint finishes, the new special edition vehicle 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.

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, the carmaker said.

"The standard fitment of the lockable Mountain Top black roller shutter, previously seen on the limited-edition Ranger Thunder, is a great addition that allows owners to safely secure goods in the load compartment, away from prying eyes and protected from the elements."

Interior

Inside the double cab interior is an even sportier, bespoke feel, with red stitching for the steering wheel, seats and door cards which replaces the blue stitching used on the normal Ranger Raptor. A Special Edition-only Raceway Grey instrument panel adds further exclusivity, also finished off with red stitching, Ford said.

The sports seats are trimmed in Technical Suede, while the steering wheel incorporates perforated leather hand grip sections, paired with lightweight magnesium paddle shifters.

Muscular design

The Ranger Raptor’s powerful stance is unashamedly evident with its 51mm taller ride height compared to the standard Ranger, along with 283mm ground clearance, 150mm wider front and rear track and 850mm wading depth.

Its off-road credentials are further emphasized by the 32.5-degree approach angle, and ramp-over and departure angles of 24 degrees.

The bumper includes LED fog lamps with air-curtain ducts for improved airflow, while the Ranger Raptor is also equipped with an integrated heavy-duty tow bar that improves the vehicle’s departure angle, and includes two heavy-duty recovery hooks. An integrated, detachable towbar is fitted, with the Ranger Raptor rated for a 2 500kg towing capacity.

Off-road performance

"One of the Ranger Raptor’s most important performance enhancements is the FOX Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers, which were exclusively developed for this model. They provide higher damping forces at extremes for unparalleled off-road capability, and lower damping forces in more moderate conditions for a smoother ride on-road,"said Ford.

Front-wheel travel is increased by 32%, and rear travel by 22% compared to the standard Ranger.

Also contributing to the Ranger Raptor’s performance on any road surfaces is a specially developed Terrain Management System (TMS) that allows 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, Ford said.

2.0 Bi-Turbo with 10-speed automatic gearbox

The special edition vehicle is powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that delivers a maximum of 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque.

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.