RE: Ford Ranger Raptor | UK Drive

RE: Ford Ranger Raptor | UK Drive

Thursday 12th September 2019

2020 Ford Ranger Raptor | UK Review

Dune jumping in North Africa is all well and good, but does the £50k Ranger add up in BoJo's Britain?



Phew, that was close - memory suggested the Ford Ranger Raptor was in danger of being the slowest pick up - and likely vehicle - ever driven on PH. Handily it zips to 62mph ahead of a Hilux (thank the 10-speed auto for that, against the six-speed the Toyota had when tested), even if it's said to be a thrilling 106mph dead heat at the top end. At which point an Isuzu D-Max will streak on to 112mph. Just FYI.

That said, the Raptor must set a record for price to performance on PistonHeads; without wishing to sound like another record (of the broken kind), the Ranger's mismatch of punchy aesthetic and puny performance is impossible to avoid, be that in the comments, the spec sheet or the driver's seat. From the outset the Raptor is the guy who's all arms and chest but can't squat his bodyweight; the looks are impressive and attention grabbing, though actual heavy lifting is out of the question. (That's not as bad a joke as it seems, either, because the Raptor has a reduced carrying and towing capacity over standard.)

This is not simply a game of Top Trumps, however, and we all know by now that there's much more to driving in general, and to this pick up specifically, than the bare numbers. Money has been invested in widening the tracks, installing extremely fancy Fox Racing dampers, larger BF Goodrich tyres, more powerful brakes, increasing approach and departure angles and so on. This is not simply a cosmetic exercise. Though arguably it succeeds on that score.


We've been made aware of the Raptor's ability before - an extensive and comprehensive assessment that involved, um, throwing it off dunes in Morocco. Now, though, a chance for a proper test: real British roads, involving (but not limited to) making room on small country lanes for others cars, actually merging into traffic on dual carriageways, scurrying through villages and other niggly tasks that probably aren't front of mind in a 5,400mm, 2.5-tonne pick-up when you're playing at Dakar.

Before we get there though, Ford UK insists on a reminder of what its pick-up will do when you're along way from the beaten track. Like when you're in a felled forest, for example. Or next to a rally driver on a test stage. Turns out low-range, off-road mode and knobbly tyres are fairly handy when it comes to the former (who knew?) and the Raptor feels more than quick enough when you're apparently allergic to braking. Point being of course that this is an all-wheel-drive pick-up that can hack it off road - probably more so than most of cars sold on the basis of their suitability for 'lifestyle' adventures.

And you know what? The Ranger is perfectly alright on the road, too. Fears of a truck buck-a-rooing its way down a high street simply never materialise, the Ranger's coil-spring/Watt's linkage back axle ably supported by the Fox dampers and delivering decent composure. It's certainly not immune to the odd shudder - it's a body-on-frame pick up, after all - and remains a fairly cumbersome corner-taker for that reason, but it's more than liveable. For a pick up, the ride is uncannily good, not only smothering the normal imperfections, but also dismissing kerbs, verges, potholes and anything else below the knee with ease.

Moreover, while the Raptor isn't exactly brimming with accelerative gusto, the 10-speed auto always keeps the twin-turbo diesel at the right revs for optimum performance. It'll cruise adeptly at not much more than idle, swiftly drop gears if an overtake is needed, and responds nicely to inputs from the lovely metal paddles as required - though that's pretty seldom, really, with 10 gears to choose from. Consequently, the performance isn't as inhibiting as might have been expected (even if it's still a little hard to level with the price) because the gearbox is so well calibrated. Just use more throttle than you think it'll need, and everything will be fine...


As for the Raptor's sheer size on UK roads, that could be a little trickier to get accustomed to. Of course against the F-150 Raptor it'll seem like little more than a die-cast model, but there's no escaping the fact that 15cm of additional width to accommodate the new tracks isn't going to make an already sizeable vehicle feel wieldy. And while it could be argued that the raised ride height helps with visibility, it also makes the driver even more aware of how much Ranger there actually is and how much space it's using up. Don't be surprised to find it flummoxed by a width restrictor. Or a parking space...

Here's the nub though: those that like the Raptor concept are going to adore the execution. Because it looks brilliant, all attitude and arches, yet isn't so silly as to be totally daft. It absolutely does the business dynamically, too, unequivocally off-road and more than adequately on it. And finally, while a little less tangible, the Raptor feels stoic and resilient, like it would gladly lap up punishment for season after season and year after year. There's not a squeak or a rattle anywhere at any point, even being flung around a stage. For those that value (and/or need) engineering integrity over the squidgiest of soft touch plastics, that's going to be important.

Granted, a V6-powered Amarok is going to offer better on-road performance for a similar outlay - but the Raptor doesn't advertise itself as the sensible choice. Instead it's great fun; a truck to make you smile without making so much mischief that it works against its everyday usability. And besides, the money invested underneath feels worth every penny when clambering over tree stumps, surmounting rocks or not getting stuck in the mud. Look beyond the butch facade and the spec sheet of the Ranger Raptor and there's real ability, as well as appeal, to be found throughout. Of course a four-cylinder diesel pick up won't be on the top of many shortlists for £50,000 - but any buyer with even a superficial interest should take a look. Prepare to be won over.


SPECIFICATION - FORD RANGER RAPTOR

Engine: 1,996cc 4-cyl twin-turbo, diesel
Transmission: 10-speed automatic, switchable four-wheel drive with low-range
Power (hp): 213@3,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@1,750-2,000rpm
0-62mph: 10.5sec
Top speed: 106mph
Weight: 2,510kg (minimum kerb weight)
MPG: 31.7 (WLTP combined)
CO2: 233g/km
Price: £48,784 (inc. VAT)

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Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
0-60 over 10... Has to be the most disappointing car of the year!

V8RX7

26,762 posts

262 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
I always liked this kind of thing, which is why I bought American pickups, bigger, faster, cheaper and with a V8.

smileymikey

1,445 posts

225 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
I cant lie. I think its the dogs bks and would love one.

Rich Boy Spanner

1,291 posts

129 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Well at least it looks cool and livens up the acres dreary sea of metallic grey euroboxes.

chris4652009

1,563 posts

83 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
I like this tbh, my brother has just bought a new Ranger Wildtrak, it looks very similar.
He loves it

Dr Interceptor

7,743 posts

195 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
I love it to bits... and would buy one, if it had something other than a 2.0 litre 4-cyl diesel.


Kubevoid

192 posts

55 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Almost fifty grand for a four pot diesel builders wagon. Nice one Ford, mug them off 😂


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
The only things that matter are can it be driven angrily? How do they tailgate? Do you get proper vape stream? There are a couple near me and I can only postulate the driver is always late, given the way they’re driven.

Big Robbo

319 posts

145 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
I think it looks great. I'd have one in an instant and change my middle name to Cletus

Kubevoid

192 posts

55 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Cletus would have a proper V8. Likely with +90mm twin turbos.

This is a builders diesel thing, for pretenders. Like the four pot Mustang set. Like Malboro man, but with a vape in an ebay costume.

BenLowden

5,965 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
I can see myself in one of those in my favourite checked shirt blasting out Sweet Home Alabama. Love it!

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Really nice but I think it should have come with a 3.0d.

V8RX7

26,762 posts

262 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Kubevoid said:
This is a builders diesel thing
It isn't, I'm a builder and I use a V6 Vito and as mentioned American V8 pickups

This is the equivalent to the numpties who buy £30k+ VW Transporters who think they are "surfer dudes" despite all the surfers actually using sub £3k vans just like the Transporters were 20 years ago.


Jon_S_Rally

3,382 posts

87 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
So it's not quick and doesn't have a V8 - who cares? It looks great, is brilliant off road and is totally different to anything else in the UK.

Not everything has to be about straight line speed.

V8RX7

26,762 posts

262 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Jon_S_Rally said:
So it's not quick and doesn't have a V8 - who cares?

It looks great

is brilliant off road

is totally different to anything else in the UK.

Not everything has to be about straight line speed.
I care

No it doesn't

No it isn't

Again no

Agreed - but what exactly is this Ranger about ?

chris4652009

1,563 posts

83 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
This is the equivalent to the numpties who buy £30k+ VW Transporters who think they are "surfer dudes" despite all the surfers actually using sub £3k vans just like the Transporters were 20 years ago.
Actual lol

sassthathoopie

860 posts

214 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Jon_S_Rally said:
So it's not quick and doesn't have a V8 - who cares? It looks great, is brilliant off road and is totally different to anything else in the UK.

Not everything has to be about straight line speed.


Mine's got Fox Racing dampers, 35" BF Goodrich tyres and is heaps cheaper: Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Utility Pack

Kubevoid

192 posts

55 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
Jon_S_Rally said:
So it's not quick and doesn't have a V8 - who cares? It looks great, is brilliant off road and is totally different to anything else in the UK.

Not everything has to be about straight line speed.
Ford promote it as some kind of warrior with big arches, massive grille, racing shocks. But it's all nonsense, backed up by nothing. It's a lame half arsed copy of the real deal.

Ford did this years ago with viper stripes on fiestas laugh

If it wasn't for the fact Ford make V8 Mustangs they would be nothing but a joke over here.


el romeral

1,030 posts

136 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKtFJxGzJX8

I was expecting something more similar to Jeremy's Raptor, when they rescued Hammond, especially at 50 large.

loveice

646 posts

246 months

Thursday 12th September 2019
quotequote all
"Point being of course that this is an all-wheel-drive pick-up that can hack it off road"

I'm pretty sure this Range Raptor is part-time 4-wheel-drive rather than all-wheel-drive.

I find this review to be more informative:

https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/news/2019/f...

Also worth mentioning is that it comes with a manually operated rear diff-clock that can be switch on and off via a button on the dash. Personally I prefer this type (same as in the G-Class) to what LR is offering which can't be controlled manually at all. So, as it's a part-time 4wd, effectively it has two diff-locks in total when low-4 and rear diff-lock are engaged.

What it really needs is the 2.3L turbo from Focus RS with around 350bhp that would make an 100bhp drop from the F-150 Raptor's 3.5L V6 which is currently rated at 450bhp and is actually based on the new Ford GT's V6 engine. The current 4-pot diesel with 200ish bhp is just simply wrong for the Raptor name.

Now, please bring us an Everest Raptor...

Edited by loveice on Thursday 12th September 09:47