Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino
LIKE any other beast, its only place to roam around freely is in the wild. In the case of the Ranger Raptor, with its purpose-built to rule every terrain, where else can it play around, but only in its natural habitat—the rugged dirt terrains and dunes. So, Ford Motor Co. recently flew us to Vietnam, together with motoring scribes from Thailand and the host country, to test the Ranger Raptor in a grueling three-day off- and on-road drive series from Da Lat province to the coast of Mui Ne.
“The drive was designed to showcase the Ranger Raptor’s unparalleled off-road capability and versatility, along with its on-road smoothness and driving comfort. The Ranger Raptor reflects the expertise in vehicle design and engineering from our Ford Performance team—making this drive a truly memorable off-road experience,” said Ford Thailand and Asean Markets Communications Director Kamolchanok Prasertsom.
The ultimate off-roader
WhaT Else could you ask for from this truck? You’re getting the brand’s flagship off-road performance DNA injected in a well-tested Ranger pickup platform making it 50mm taller and 150mm wider. Plus, this off-roader pioneered the new radical 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine dishing out 200hp and 500 N-m of maximum torque—lighter and more powerful enough to defy the “no replacement for replacement“ statement. More so, this motor is mated to a smooth-shifting 10-speed auto gearbox. Upshifting and downshifting are made quicker apart from the wider ratio-span for enhanced acceleration.
The updated Terrain Management System (TMS), meantime, offers six different modes for various dwellings. To make it more exhilarating, you have the extreme “Baja” mode for that Baja Desert Rally-like approach where gear selection is further optimized. Further, the new geometry frame design with various grades of high-strength low-alloy steel, and hardened side-rails plus unique underbody protection, can absorb high-speed off-road impacts and deflect off-road obstacles. Of course, let us not forget the vehicle’s crown jewel—its race-bred suspension equipped with Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers. Fox Racing Shox exclusively manufactures these fitted with forged aluminum upper arms and cast-aluminum lower arms.
Moreover, there are active safety features, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Load Adaptive Control (LAC).
Extreme off-roading dexterity
Our initial test ground was at the Doi Hong View Point in the outskirts of Da Lat. The location is a vast space of pine tree forest. Among the stations, several were extreme. On the downhill path, HDC function was up to the test and performed as expected. Then the succeeding rough tracks enabled us to switch to 4H setting to feel the suspension control on faster pace along rough patches.
Next was the series of deep and slanted slopes wherein the Ranger Raptor’s 283mm ground clearance, wider stance, 32.5-degree approach angle, and 24-degree departure angle was put to the test. During the pre-drive demonstration, we witnessed the vehicle’s structural integrity with all four suspensions oppositely twisted going through a 45-degree slope on a slanted position, as well as plunging and reemerging from deep thalwegs.
During our drive, 4L mode and electronic differential lock were enabled. Slowly, we progressed while carefully paying attention to the guide, coaching us on what direction to steer. While slowly attacking deep varying slopes, at the same time getting skewed to certain degrees, the vehicle went on, effortlessly. Interestingly, while it looked like the vehicle was getting all the punishment throughout these stages, behind-the-wheel, the feel was somewhat different. More like the Ranger Raptor is telling you to sit back, relax and let it take charge as you maneuver.
There was also an opportunity to stretch the truck’s legs in an open and dusty path. On Baja mode, we unleashed the Ranger Raptor’s acceleration might. But more than the power we felt, it was how the suspension’s ability to control the rebounds from rough paths that impressed us. It managed to provide excellent control, particularly on steering. Last, the long steep hill where we just stepped on it and let the truck took charge in climbing while on 4H and gravel mode settings. We went back to the staging point awe-struck and wanting more of the exciting experience.
Sand dunes adventure
The following day, the convoy headed to a 204-kilometer drive to Mui Ne. The long-distance journey somehow allowed us to experience comfort in driving. Surprisingly, everything was blissful. Then we reached the famous sand dunes attraction site. After a short briefing, we went ahead for a quick tour before the actual drive sessions.
With sand mode and 4H engaged, we went on through soft desert trails with varying gradients. While traversing, constant and slight counter-steering was necessary to maintain the course. There were even instances of letting the truck dive while the sand does the braking and then immediately stepping on it to propel the truck for the next climb. But on Baja mode, the Ranger Raptor was like a beast unleashed while letting it ran and play freely with us on a saddle, of course.
Truth be told, the entire expanse of fine sands with strong winds is as real as it gets in terms of what a desert should be. So, even the drive session was as short as less than 15 minutes; it was rather fun and adventurous for most of us.
New features, the same price
Currently, in the Philippines, the Ranger Raptor is now offered with a camera-based Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist functions. Moreover, there are high-mount USB and new LED headlamps. All that for the same price. How about that?
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino