Next-Gen Ranger Raptor Rewrites the Rulebook for Off-Road Performance

High performance 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 delivers 292kW and 583Nm, enabling phenomenal performance on and off-road, and a class-exclusive electronically controlled active exhaust system for mild-to-wild engine sounds
Master tough terrain with up to seven selectable drive modes, and re-engineered suspension with Ford Performance developed FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers
Venture further off-road with an advanced permanent four-wheel drive system with an all-new electronically-controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case, combined with front and rear locking differentials

PRETORIA, South Africa, February 22, 2022 – The next-generation and next-level Ford Ranger Raptor has arrived. Built to dominate in the desert, master the mountains and rule everywhere in between, the second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance bar as a pickup built for true enthusiasts.

Developed by Ford Performance, Ranger Raptor is the ultimate performance derivative of the next-gen Ranger. With smarter technology controlling tougher, next-generation hardware, Ranger Raptor blends raw power with mechanical and technical precision to create the most advanced Ranger yet.

“We’ve really focused on delivering a genuine performance truck with the next-gen Ranger Raptor,” said Dave Burn, Ford Performance Chief Program Engineer for Ranger Raptor. “It’s significantly faster, looks incredible, is packed with new features and is the strongest Built Ford Tough Ranger we’ve ever made.”

More Power to Play

The biggest news for performance fans is the introduction of a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 producing 292kW and 583Nm tuned by Ford Performance.ⁱ

The twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine boasts a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block, which is around 75 percent stronger and up to 75 percent stiffer than the iron used in traditional castings. Ford Performance ensured the engine delivers immediate response to throttle inputs, and a race-bred anti-lag system enables rapid delivery of boost on demand.

The Ranger Raptor’s anti-lag system, available in Baja modeⁱⁱ, keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, allowing for faster resumption of acceleration out of corners or between gears when the driver gets back on the accelerator.

“The 3.0-litre brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most hardcore performance enthusiast,” said Burn. “The acceleration and raw performance of the new powertrain leaves you grinning from ear-to-ear.”

Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission – each gear programmed with its own boost profile – Ranger Raptor’s new engine delivers effortless acceleration on gravel, dirt, mud and sand. And, with an electronically controlled active exhaust system that amplifies the engine note in four selectable drive modes (Quiet, Normal, Sport and Bajaⁱⁱ), the Ranger Raptor’s vocal character ranges from mild to wild.

Drivers can choose their preferred engine sound by pressing a button on the steering wheel or by selecting a drive mode that uses one of the following settings:

Quiet – Designed to prioritise quietness over performance and sound. Great for keeping the peace with neighbours on early mornings.
Normal – Intended for everyday use, this profile offers an exhaust note with presence while not being too loud for street use. This profile is applied by default to Normal, Slippery, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes.
Sport – Offers a louder and more aggressive note, for when you want to shake things up a little.
Baja – This is the most aggressive of the exhaust profiles in both volume and note. It behaves more like a straight-through system in this setting and is intended for off-road use only.

All Terrain Control

For the first time, Ranger Raptor gets an advanced permanent four-wheel drive system with an all-new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case, combined with front and rear locking differentials, a feature that hardcore off-roaders will appreciate.

“While Ranger Raptor was inspired by desert racers, it’s also a supremely capable overlanding vehicle. Out of the box we’ve created an off-road vehicle that you don’t need to modify to get you where you need to go and back again safely,” said Burn.

Helping next-gen Ranger Raptor handle anything from smooth roads to mud and ruts and everything in between are up to seven selectable drive modes, including the off-road oriented ‘Baja’ mode for extreme high-speed off-roading. In ‘Baja’ modeⁱⁱ electronic systems are configured for ultimate performance.

“We really wanted the Baja mode to be the ultimate expression of the off-road high-speed capability,” said Burn. “It’s a feature at the core of what the Ranger Raptor customer expects.”

Each selectable drive modeⁱⁱ adjusts a number of elements from engine and transmission to ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering, throttle response and even the instrument cluster and centre touchscreen. And depending on the mode, the colour scheme of the digital displays changes to match the mode.

On-road

Normal – designed for comfort, fuel efficiency and drivability;
Sport – more responsive for spirited on-road driving; and
Slippery – for more confident driving on off-road slippery or uneven surfaces.

Off-road

Rock Crawl – providing optimum traction and momentum on loose surfaces;
Sand – for use in soft sand and deep snow conditions, optimising power delivery and transmission shifts;
Mud/Ruts – for maximum grip off-road during launch and maintaining vehicle momentum; and
Baja – tuned for high-speed off-road performance with all systems set for maximum attack.

Next-gen Ranger Raptor also comes with Trail Control™, which is like cruise control for off-roading. The driver simply selects a set speed (less than 32km/h), and the vehicle manages acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain.