The Raptor muscle monster requires a gentle touch.
This delightful double-cab bakkie can be a workhorse, or a head turning throaty urban commuter or a comfortable long-distance runner. A lockable roller door ensures safe storage for a heap of luggage when heading for the hills. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 is tweaked to produce 292 kW and 583 Nm matched with a slick 10-speed auto. Even a full-time 4WD system is challenged by so much power in the most powerful new double-cab in South Africa. The rear wheels break away slightly at full throttle when you’re turning at a robot but never feels unsafe. Ford’s all-aluminium 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is responsive from low rpm and the turbo kicks in almost instantly. Full torque output at only 3500 rpm reminds me of a Mustang. An anti-lag function in Baja drive mode keeps the turbos spooled when slowing down for a sec but gives a surge of power when touch the throttle. Overtaking ability is to die for and cures grumpiness!
Blistering acceleration under 6 seconds to 100 km/h catches most performance cars by surprise. On twisty roads you stay automatically in the right gear to thoroughly enjoy the playfulness of the Raptor. Its stunning chassis with unique aluminium upper and lower control arms combined with a long-travel suspension adapts anywhere no matter the challenge. Seven drive modes float over any obstacles and a 272mm ground clearance with 850 mm wading depth the Raptor has few challengers. The suspension is a delight in any urban setting while the light steering is parking perfect and exhilarating on twisty roads few bakkies would attempt. On gravel the Raptor is incredibly stable with deadly brakes. As expected with this price tag the interiors leaves nothing to desire aesthetically and technologically. Audiophiles would approve of the ten speaker B&O. Big adults fit comfortably in the rear and the under-seat stowage makes life so much simpler.
The Raptor is loaded with driver aids galore from road-edge detection to a 360° camera. Matrix LED headlamps with glare-free high-beam and dynamic bending for night owls.
We achieved real world fuel consumption figures in mostly urban conditions of 14.8L/100 km which improved to 13.3L/100km on relaxed freeway driving. Enthusiastic driving takes you to the low-20s.
The Raptor has different exhaust settings which would be appreciated in quiet neighbourhoods but in more adrenaline infused settings the throaty engine note is marvellous. Parking is challenging in the 2.0-metre-wide Raptor but you’ll get fit in the process parking further away. Ranger Raptor is about indulging in driving the most exhilarating bakkie that can tow, carry loads and taking the mickey out of unsuspecting performance cars. Should you want more towing capabilities and heavier loads therather buy a more mundane Ranger. The Raptor is wild and not for the faint-hearted but it’s ability to shave years off your biological clock is rare.
