Ford “approaching 1000 orders” for $75k Ranger Raptor
Aussies are queuing to buy Ford’s new performance utilityAlmost 1000 Australians have placed an order for the upcoming Ranger Raptor performance ute, despite having only overseas images as a guide.
Ford is preparing to reset perceptions on the capability of the humble dual-cab utility in September when it launches the 157kW/500Nm flagship, which will also raise the price ceiling for the segment to a not-insignificant $74,990 plus on-road costs.
The Raptor has stirred keen curiosity among ute-loving Aussies, with a strong order bank running high into the hundreds, and thousands more ‘registering their interest’ on Ford’s Australian website.
“Let’s say the ball park is approaching 1000,” said Ford Australia chief executive Graeme Whickman.
“It’s where we thought it might be. I think people need to drive it as well, I’ve had the opportunity to jump behind the wheel a few times during testing and each time I’m blown away by it.
“The fact we’re approaching 1000 people who’ve shown interest and put their orders down, they’ve had no proximity to the vehicle. When it arrives on our shores I’m going to be interested to see how the interest goes.”
Commanding a 22 per cent premium over the current Ranger Wildtrak ($61,115), the Ford Ranger Raptor will sit atop the Ford Australia utility line-up offering “the ultimate performance experience for off-road users”.
At that money, it sits marginally above the HSV Colorado SportsCat+ automatic ($68,990), the high-spec Volkswagen Amarok V6 ($68,490) and the four-cylinder flagship version of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class ($64,500).
Only the upcoming V6-powered version of the X-Class, the X 350d, stands to shadow the Ranger Raptor on price – not to mention the slew of full-size American pick-ups such as the RAM, Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado.
Not that Whickman is overly concerned.
“Predominantly, those 1000 people have put down money. We had over 100 people putting down money the day it was unveiled alone,” he said.
Whickman hinted there would be likely stock limitations of the Raptor to begin with as Ford Australia goes about satisfying early take-up.
“We’re taking the orders now, that will give us insight as to how many we will need over time. There will probably be a bit of a wait time… and on top of that there are thousands who have registered their interest, wanting more information on Raptor. So there may be a bit of a wait but we’ll see,” he said.
Produced on the same Thai dual-cab production line as other Ranger variants, the Raptor rides on a unique chassis that is said to be so different from the regular model that their tray sizes are not compatible. It also boasts a redesigned Watts-link coil-spring rear suspension.
Wider front and rear tracks, 283mm ground clearance, increased approach and departure angles and a 850mm water wading depth are complemented by long-travel suspension with Fox Shox, aluminium upper and lower control arms, heavy duty skid plates and underbody protection.
The Ranger’s torturous development included extended testing at Ford Australia’s You Yangs proving ground in Victoria.
Power comes courtesy of a new-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel sending drive via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Raptor boasts a six-mode Terrain Management System (TMS) across high-range and low-range settings, and using a locking rear-differential. This includes a Baja mode specific to high-speed moguls, we suspect.
The flagship hits showrooms from September.
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