From the company that has brought some of the best in high performance off-roading, Ford announced details on the next-gen 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor.
Initial World Wide Excitement
When Ford announced that they were producing a Ranger Raptor starting in 2019, European truck enthusiasts were some of the most excited. While there is a massive global following for the dominant F-150 Raptor, its size intimidates many overseas, making those from the US the primary purchaser of these trucks. This next generation model is set to be launched only in Europe with deliveries starting toward the end of 2022. Ford CEO Jim Farley has stated on Twitter that as early as 2023 it will become available for the first time in the USA. We are looking forward to that day, and you can count on ADD Bumpers being available for it.
Full Size Power
Inside the 2023 Ranger Raptor will be an all-new twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that is cranking out 288 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. To handle all this power, Ford enhanced the EcoBoost’s engine block with a compacted graphite-iron construction. This makes it around 75% stronger and stiffer than the traditional iron commonly used on vehicle engine blocks.
To make the most of the physical engine changes, the motorheads at Ford also took advantage of the best turbo technology being used in the Ford GT, Bronco Raptor, and Focus ST: an anti-lag system! When the Baja mode in the new Ford Ranger Raptor is activated, the turbochargers have been designed to continue spinning for up to three seconds after the driver releases the throttle. This little change allows for more immediate throttle response when re-accelerating, commonly out of corners or after descending hills, when turbo lag is usually at its worst!
It's transmission changes also help make sure the new Raptor is performing as well as possible, thanks to an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission with specific turbocharging profiles for each gear. Also, the currently available 2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel engine will be available in the Raptor Ranger, but full specifications are still pending.
Diverse Performance Modes
Using the best features from the other high performance models Ford developed, the Ranger Raptor will have four different drive modes to handle various terrain types. These drive modes include:
On-Road Modes:
- Quiet -Perfect for those early mornings or late nights in your neighborhood. Selecting this mode limits performance and engine noise in order to minimize engine and exhaust tones.
- Normal -Optimized for everyday use, selecting this mode will allow for consistent drivability.
- Sport -For those looking for a bit more performance & growl, this drive mode makes your exhaust and engine note louder and provides more sensitive acceleration & braking control.
Off-Road Modes:
- Rock Crawl -Intended for low speed driving over rough terrain or larger rocks & other obstacles.
- Sand -This mode is great for sand and snow, as it tunes gear-changes and power delivery to handle slippage on these terrains.
- Mud/Ruts -This mode is all about a powerful launch and maintaining momentum through the muck.
- Baja -Selecting this will turn on anti-lag and sets all systems to maximum levels, while also having a straight-through-like growling exhaust system.
Shocking Structure and Suspension
Underneath the cab of the new Ford Raptor Ranger is a unique chassis exclusive to Raptors. First, Raptor-specific mounts and reinforcements help the c-pillar, load box, and spare wheel have additional rigidity. The new frame was designed around the jounce bumper, shock tower, and rear shock bracket meant to handle practically anything thrown at the new Ford Ranger Raptor.
Moving to the suspension bits, all-new lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms were selected to support the long-travel front and rear suspension. Additionally, the Watt’s link rear end was specifically redesigned to deliver additional control when driving in rough terrain.
According to Dave Burn, Ford Performance Chief Program Engineer who developed the new Ford Ranger Raptor, "The suspension upgrades in the Ranger Raptor make the most of the new FOX Live Valve Dampers." He also added that "the suspension adapts in real-time to enable exceptional on-road body control while absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road with ease."
Speaking of the FOX Live Valve Dampers, these internal bypass shock absorbers have the latest in control technology including:
- Position-sensitive damping
- Bottom-out control
- Computer-controlled bypass system
The Boldest Body
"Everything designed for the Ranger Raptor is there for a reason," Dave Deqitt, Ranger Raptor Exterior Design Manager, mentioned in a recent press release while highlighting the flared wheel arches, custom designed C-clamp headlights, massive F-O-R-D letters in the grille, and muscular bumpers enhance the overall look. LED lighting also make a huge difference in the overall look of the Ranger Raptor with matrix LED headlights that feature predictive curve lights, glare-free high beam, and auto dynamic leveling.
Once inside, this highly capable truck reconnects to a more expected level of function and comfort with a 12.4-inch all digital cluster, 12-inch infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
We at Addictive Desert Designs will be designing our full lineup of off-road bumpers for the Ranger Raptor as soon as we get our hands on one stateside. This is something that we're all really excited for.
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