Ford Australia has announced that the performance-focused Ranger Raptor dual-cab pick-up will be priced from $74,990 before on-road costs when it hits showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Ranger Raptor will attract a $13,200 premium over the automatic Ranger Wildtrak variant on which it is based, taking over flagship responsibilities in the hot-selling line-up.
“The response to our announcement in September, and the interest from the global reveal back in February to bring it to market at such a sharp price only adds to the anticipation ahead of its arrival in local showrooms,” Ford Australia boss Graeme Whickman said.
“It’s clear that there’s an appetite for a performance pick-up, and we’ve worked hard to deliver something that fits the bill as a genuine performance product.”
Comparatively, the automatic HSV Colorado SportsCat+ will undercut the Ranger Raptor by $6000, while the Mercedes-Benz X350d Power and Toyota HiLux Rugged X are yet to be priced.
Volkswagen’s recently-announced Amarok TDI580 Ultimate also looms large, packing an extra 25kW/30Nm over its 165kW/550Nm TDI550 predecessor, which currently checks in at $68,490.
The Ranger Raptor will be offered in a single specification locally, which mirrors that of the rugged off-roader shown in February at its reveal event in Bangkok, Thailand.
Motivation will be drawn from a 2.0-litre ‘EcoBlue’ twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque, up 10kW/30Nm over the aforementioned Ranger Wildtrak.
Drive will be sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission with torque convertor and paddle shifters, while a six-mode ‘Terrain Management System’ is set to include low- and high-range as well as a locking rear differential.
Furthermore, the Ranger Raptor will be visually distinguished by its ‘Ford’ block-letter front grille, HID headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), unique front and rear bumpers, 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, heavy-duty side steps and black wheelarch extensions.
Additionally, a race-bred long-travel suspension with Fox Racing shock absorbers, aluminium upper and lower control arms, heavy-duty skid plates, underbody protection and rear disc brakes will feature under the skin.
Meanwhile, the unique chassis will offer 150mm-wider front and rear tracks, a 46mm-taller ride height, greater approach and departure angles, and a water wading capability of up to 850mm.
Other standard equipment will include keyless entry and start, a power tailgate lock, an 8.0-inch ‘Sync3’ touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, leather-trimmed front bucket with eight-way power adjustment, and a Raptor-branded steering wheel.
As with the regular Ranger variants before it, the Ranger Raptor has been partly designed and engineered by Australians, while extensive local testing has been conducted at Ford Australia’s You Yangs proving ground.
“Aussies have a passion for performance cars, and an appetite for pick-ups, and the Ranger is a direct response to that,” Mr Whickman added.
“Our local design and engineering team has worked incredibly hard with Ford Performance on this truly unique program to deliver a product that brings Raptor DNA and meets the needs of Australians who’ve called for such a vehicle.”
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