After making a splash at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show, the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor was officially launched in the Philippines on May 18, 2023.

Much like the previous-generation Ranger Raptor, the new one takes a regular T6 Ford Ranger and cranks up the toughness with a host of body, suspension and tech upgrades to make it the ultimate “factory special” pick-up truck.

“It is designed to conquer any terrain with a bold new look and powerful performance with major upgrades and enhancements to already-popular features that Filipino customers have grown to love,” said Ford Philippines managing director Mike Breen. 

“We are truly excited for the return of the Raptor brand, and we are confident that the second-generation Raptor will continue to resonate with performance pickup enthusiasts in the country,” he added.

Bespoke suspension, underbody

The new Ranger Raptor comes standard with Fox 2.5-inch dampers with position-sensitive damping technology. 

Ford Philippines said the setup “provides higher damping forces at full jounce and rebound to enable better off-road capabilities, while increased wheel travel and outstanding bump absorption deliver supreme stability and comfort on all terrains.”

In addition, the Ranger Raptor’s Trail Control System functions like an off-road cruise control system, such that drivers can set a speed with the truck to control the throttle and braking functions even through rocky trails, muddy tracks and steep inclines.

Further aiding the pick-up through the rough stuff are 17-inch alloy wheels with BFGoodrich K02 high-performance, all-terrain tires, a full-time four-wheel-drive system with the option to switch to rear-wheel drive, a rear locking differential and underbody protection.

For off-road nuts, Ford Philippines said the Ranger Raptor has an approach angle of 32 degrees, a breakover angle of 24 degrees, a departure angle of up to 27 degrees and 272 mm of ground clearance.

“Through simulator tests, computer modeling and punishing real-world testing in the Australian outback, we’ve improved key areas like steering, ride and handling at high and low speeds, on- and off-road,” said Dan Ciccocioppo, T6 Global Program Manager and Product Development Launch Manager of Ford Motor Company.

Biturbo diesel

As we correctly predicted, the Philippine-market Ranger Raptor packs a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 diesel engine under the hood.

It produces 210 PS and 500 Nm of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger Raptor also has seven driving modes: 

• Normal

• Sport

• Slippery

• Rock Crawl

• Mud/Ruts

• Sand

• Baja

Each mode changes the pick-up’s driving characteristics, including the traction control, engine and transmission calibration.

Tough looks

The Ranger Raptor matches its superb off-road capability with a tough and capable exterior.

Old design cues like the huge “FORD” lettering in the front grill, wheel-arch extensions and prominent “RAPTOR” bed decals are carried over to this new Ranger Raptor, while the C-shaped LED headlights and the blocky LED taillights distinguish this as a T6 Raptor.

Inside, the pick-up features plenty of orange, from the accents in the seats to the “RAPTOR” stitching on the steering wheel. Magnesium paddle shifters feel solid to the touch and allow you to better control your gear and engine speed.

In addition, toggle switches in the ceiling are ready for all sorts of accessories.

Loads of tech

As with other Ranger models, the Ranger Raptor gets a 12-inch portrait touchscreen center display connected to Ford’s SYNC4A communication and entertainment system with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

In addition, the Ranger Raptor has a 12-inch digital instrument cluster with fully configurable layout and gauges that displays a start-up and farewell animation, digital speedometer and tachometer and animated drive mode selection. 

For those who need help with parking or negotiating tight off-road trails, the pick-up comes with a 360-degree camera with a split-view display that includes a top-down view around the vehicle, while a zoom button gives drivers a closer look at an obstacle near the vehicle when going off-road.

There’s also a dedicated off-road screen display that presents vehicle information and a front camera view of the terrain ahead with predictive overlay guidelines to help drivers navigate through obstacles. 

The all-new Ranger Raptor also comes with an array of active-safety systems that include:

• Active Park Assist 2.0

• Adaptive Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go and Lane Centering

• Pre-Collision Assist with Forward Collision Warning

• Evasive Steer Assist

• Reverse Brake Assist

• Lane Departure Warning

• Auto High Beam

• Post Impact Braking

• Blind Spot Information System

The Ranger Raptor is likewise equipped with FordPass, which allows owners to enjoy remote features like door lock and unlock, vehicle start and stop, vehicle locator and vehicle status.

Drive it yourself!

The all-new Ranger Raptor is now available in all Ford Philippines dealerships for ₱2,339,000.

Colors include: 

• Arctic White

• Absolute Black

• Blue Lightning

• Conquer Grey

• Code Orange (additional ₱15,000)

Ford Philippines said you can test the 2023 Ranger Raptor yourself at the first leg of this year’s Ford Island Conquest from May 19 to 21, 2023 at ARCA South Interactive Park in Taguig City.

Do you think the all-new Ranger Raptor will retake its crown as king of the pick-ups?

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