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Meet the Focus RS of the world pick-up. The Ford Ranger Raptor is the most extreme vehicle in the category of one ton trucks, with a body and a position that gives the impression that it is ready for the Dakar race.
It is designed to broaden the appeal of choice. -ups in Europe – where vans dominate. And as we reported last month, it will arrive in the UK in 2019.
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The goal is to turn the big-seller Ranger into that the types of marketing call a "lifestyle vehicle". The Raptor is a pickup truck that can not carry or tow as much as its horsepower counterparts, switching versatility for power and performance.
Inside, the standard dashboard is replaced by a sporty dashboard, while the steering wheel is thicker and features a new red center strip. In addition, sport seats have thicker bolsters and Raptor logos sewn into the fabric.
Under the skin, Ford created a custom-made chassis with coil springs on the back (rather than leaf springs). There is also a wider track and robust shock absorbers inspired by off-road tire rallies.
The curved front fenders are made of high-strength plastic, but the corresponding bulges at the back are stamped in metal. The bumpers are tapered for better road clearance, and the side steps are made of magnesium in a vain attempt to reduce weight.
It's still a heavy vehicle, though. At 2,404 kg, the Raptor is up to 200 kg heavier than a standard Ranger. Fortunately, four-wheel disc brakes provide decent braking power.
The performance of the chassis is as deep, whether on or off the road. On rough tracks, Fox shock absorbers smooth most bumps and provide almost serene comfort on the highway.
The tires produce a surprisingly low road noise and the steering has a precision rarely seen in the pickup category. Be careful when parking in the city; There is a huge circle of 12.9 meters. The shorter front and rear overhangs and higher ride height mean that the Ranger Raptor can easily cross most off-road obstacles.
There is just one important caveat in this awesome overall package: the engine is a bit smashed. It's a new four-cylinder 2.0-liter diesel two-turbocharger, and it's far from where it needs to be.
Despite its power and torque superior to those of the 3.2-liter five-cylinder diesel Ranger For faster acceleration – the Raptor has not made the gains you could expect given its bold appearance.
Although vehicles of this type are not designed to accelerate like supercars, the latest Volkswagen Amarok and Mercedes X 350 appetite for powerful (and ultimately expensive) pickups. But Ford says the Raptor is not dealing with straight-line speed and top-level off-road capacity.
And it's a pity. It can not be denied that it is an impressive truck, but one can not help but think that it could have been better.
Hopefully the next joint venture between Ford and Volkswagen could someday see the Amarok V6 under the hood of the raptor. It's only then that we will really have the Focus RS-inspired pickup we've been waiting for for a long time.
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