Finally, the much-awaited 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is hitting North American roads – on and off! This badass truck is built to handle extreme terrain and fulfill the adventurous needs of its customers. According to Carl Widmann, Ford Performance Chief Engineer, “Ranger Raptor is the high-performance off-road truck so many customers have been begging for. It’s right-sized for tight trails and daily life, can carry lots of gear, and is a blast to drive. Ranger Raptor is fast, comfortable, and packed with top-shelf, purposeful technology that’s designed to perform. This is the baddest Ranger we’ve ever made.”
The suspension system is the backbone of the Ranger Raptor, purpose-built for off-road conditions. Lightweight aluminum control arms and long-travel rear suspension, along with a Watts linkage and trailing arms, ensure control and confidence in off-road conditions. Equipped with next-generation FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks, featuring front and rear piggyback reservoirs to reduce heat build-up, providing uninterrupted performance throughout the day. The damping performance of the system changes based on Ranger Raptor’s Drive Modes, including Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja, adjusting the engine, transmission, ABS calibration, traction control, and steering for better on-road comfort, off-road control, and capability at high and low speeds. Additionally, Ranger Raptor comes with Trail Control, allowing drivers to navigate tricky spots while the truck manages the throttle and brakes. Built on a beefy foundation, Ranger Raptor takes Ranger’s fully boxed frame up a notch, reinforcing the front frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and other key areas, enabling it to handle more punishing off-road conditions.
The Ranger Raptor’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine produces 405 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful Ranger ever built. The advanced four-wheel drive system comes with a new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case combined with front and rear locking differentials. The anti-turbo lag system enables boost on demand in Baja mode and keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle. The active valve exhaust system can be tuned to Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja settings.
The design elements of the Ranger Raptor serve a purpose. The LED projector headlights and signature lighting, bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille, all-steel bumper, flared fenders, 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, and underbody protection make it look rugged and modern. The cab features a sport steering wheel, cast magnesium alloy paddle shifters, overhead upfitter switches, supportive Ford Performance front seats with extra bolstering, and premium materials trimmed in Code Orange.
The Ranger Raptor comes with features such as a 360-Degree Camera and Front View Camera, Zone Lighting, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, a high-resolution 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-inch center touchscreen running SYNC 4A, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto wireless smartphone connectivity, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Everything sounds great on paper, and we expect this latest addition to the Raptor lineup to deliver, but only time will tell. The Ranger Raptor is a high-performance truck built for off-road enthusiasts who love to explore extreme terrain. Its suspension, powertrain, and design elements make it a one-of-a-kind vehicle ready from the dealer that can tackle almost any adventure with ease. As always, for more info, go to www.ford.com/trucks/ranger/2024/
