Wednesday 16th September

Ranger Raptor gets 400hp courtesy of Mountune

Ford's twin-turbo truck is strangled for Europe - time for Mountune to unlock its full potential

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There’s a lot to like about the Ford Ranger Raptor, from its rally raid looks to its go-anywhere off-road ability. Yet despite almost 300hp and an appropriately gravelly soundtrack, the V6 was always tinged with disappointment; in other markets, notably Australia, it was almost 400hp strong, and more fitting for the aesthetic. Pegged back for Europe, the Raptor always felt like there was potential waiting to be untapped. 

Now Mountune is offering an upgrade kit that can unleash the full 400hp. The m400 package, as expected given the spec elsewhere, isn’t what you’d call extensive: all that’s required is ECU calibration. But Mountune does add a new transmission tune as well, ‘to optimise gear shifts and fully harness the additional performance.’ With torque boosted from 369lb ft to 461lb ft as well, this is going to be a much faster pickup; a standard 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds will surely drop closer to hot hatch territory. 

The extra power could hardly be easier to unlock, either, requiring nothing more than Mountune’s Smartflash app and a Bluetooth interface. ‘Complete peace of mind’ is promised with data-logging plus a fault code reader in the app and ‘stringent durability testing criteria’ in the development. 

It sounds like a no-brainer, then, especially for just £899. With the all-important badge included. A set of uprated spark plugs is recommended for another £145. But £1,000 or so still seems like great value for another third more power from such a likeable truck. Especially with early ones now from £40k. 

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• ZeroNine Design liberates 100hp in Ranger Raptor
• Ford’s best new car is a pickup | PH Footnote

[hu8742]

what does it do for warranty and insurance though?

[nismo48]

Basically a grand to unleash the beast...
Not bad in fairness

[Glenn63]

Motorsport and performance already offer a 530bhp kit for these, that engine has lots of potential, why does the UK always get wimpy specs.

[Oiyou]

hu8742 said:

what does it do for warranty and insurance though?

My car has a map and it added £18 a year to my insurance. Out of warranty so that doesn't apply.

[normalbloke]

Just needs a BO55 plate…

[Grantstown]

normalbloke said:

Just needs a BO55 plate

This has made me smile, thank you!

[DaveyBoyWonder]

normalbloke said:

Just needs a BO55 plate

BO55 number plate being driven erractically by a shaven headed bloke with tats and wearing a hi viz vest on his way to the gym.

[theicemario]

If there’s one thing the throbbers behind the wheel of these don’t need is more power under their right foot

[Condi]

Glenn63 said:

why does the UK always get wimpy specs.

To get better fuel economy in a continent where fuel is expensive? Diesel in Aus is only £1.30 a litre and in the US £1.20 ish, and I guess the extra HP comes at the expense of more fuel.

[sherman]

Oiyou said:

hu8742 said:

what does it do for warranty and insurance though?

My car has a map and it added £18 a year to my insurance. Out of warranty so that doesn't apply.

Montune parts are often ford approved so may not affect it at all.

[Clad-Hach]

Cheap upgrade...amazing no parts required to make the extra power, apart from a set of colder plugs.

I makes you wonder if the top spec is actually on new cars then software activated to give you that option you paid for.