Leisure Wheels – September 2019

leisurewheels.co.za SEPTEMBER 2019 59

FORD RANGER RAPTOR

HARDWARE

Engine: Four-cylinder turbocharged

diesel

Displacement: 1 996cc

Power: 157kW @ 3 750r/min

Torque: 500Nm @ 1 500r/min

Transmission: Ten-speed automatic

4WD system: All-wheel drive

Driving aids: ABS, ESP, hill descent

control, hill launch assist, hill descent

control, traction control, terrain

management, trailer sway control,

load adaptive control

differential lock: rear

Tyre: BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2

Tyre size: 285/70 R17

Rim size: 17-inch

Suspension front: Independent, Fox

Performance shocks

Suspension rear: Coil-over with Watts

linkage, Fox Performance shocks

Brakes front: Ventilated discs

Brakes rear: Ventilated discs

SPEEDOMETER CALIBRATION

60km/h: 57km/h

80km/h: 77km/h

100km/h: 96km/h

120km/h: 116km/h

ACCELERATION

0–60km/h: 5.2 seconds

0–100km/h: 12.2 seconds

60–120km/h: 15.4 seconds

1/4 mile: 18.4 seconds @ 120.1km/h

BRAKING

60–0km/h: 1.9 seconds and 16.5m

120–0km/h: 3.9 seconds and 66.0m

MEASUREMENTS AND CAPACITY

Engine speed at 120km/h: 1 800r/min

Average fuel consumption: 11.8

litres/100km

Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres

Range: 677km

Approach angle: 32.5 degrees

Departure angle: 24 degrees

Breakover angle: 24 degrees

Wading depth: 850mm

Ground clearance, front: 310mm

Ground clearance, rear: 240mm

Weight: 2 430kg

OWNERSHIP

Warranty: Four-year/120 000km

Service plan: Six-year/90 000km

Service interval: 15 000km

Price: R803 300

bakkie has a load capacity of just 500kg. This

means it will probably not be ideal as an

overlander as the installation of an aluminium

canopy, drawer system and rooftop tent will

quickly see the bakkie near its load limit.

A modified rear bumper features an

integrated tow bar with 2 500kg capacity. Two

front recovery hooks are able to shift up to

4 635kg and the two at the rear 3 863kg.

The Ford Performance DNA is clearly

visible in the cabin. Unique off-road sport

seats are specially designed for enhanced grip

and off-road high-speed support.

Blue stitching and leather accents feature

throughout, including across the high-quality

dashboard. Racing style-magnesium paddle

shifters allow for crisp gear changes and are

easily accessible behind the perforated leather

steering wheel.

WHAT DOES IT DRIVE LIKE?

When we got a new radio-controlled car as

kids, after building the car, the next thing

build is a ramp. Not much has changed.

There are some gravel speed bumps on

our daily commute and we thought getting

airborne over these would be easy. But

a complete mindshift needs to take place

because we were not prepared for the way

in which the suspension simply soaks up

the ‘hit’ after we hit some speedbumps at

serious speed. You need to really hit the

right obstacles fast to get airborne in the

Raptor. Once you grow more confident,

the bakkie is a lot of fun and induces smiles

at every opportunity. Was this bakkie

designed solely for jumping? Probably not. But

it is fun.

Where the Ranger shines is on flowing dirt

roads, nothing that we have ever driven

inspires you to go faster no matter the

conditions and nothing eats dirty miles like

this bakkie. The rear view mirror is really just

there to appreciate your vast rooster tails of

billowing dust.

In terms of driving dynamics, it has

everything to flatter the novice and genuinely

reward the expert. It is a true driver’s bakkie

and that is exactly the type of person who

should buy this. The kind of person who

might have previously shopped in the M,

AMG or GTI department store but has grown

tired of getting into trouble with Mr Plod

because those cars only really truly become

engaging to drive at well over the speed limit.

The Raptor is a vehicle for the driving

enthusiasts who are not afraid to get dirty. The

beauty of it all is that you can have a

tremendous amount of fun at under 100km/h.

South Africa has over 300 000km of dirt roads

and you cannot ask for a better toy to explore

them with than this Raptor.

SUMMARY

R800 000 might be a lot of money for a bakkie

but sadly it is becoming par for the course

these days. We think the Raptor is actually a

bit of a bargain, given the level of equipment it

is fitted with in standard trim. Sure, there are

more powerful bakkies on the market but the

Raptor is unrivalled in terms of dynamic

off-road performance.