Raptor – name killer dinosaur with super speed legs, became the horror of all animals in the Jurassic period. A famous name, so good and meaningful, does the Ford Ranger Raptor have the right elements and features?

What are the main differences on this release?

Although still using the most powerful twin-turbocharged 2.0L diesel engine in the segment (213PS capacity, 500Nm of pull) and a 10-speed automatic transmission like on the Ranger Wildtrak, behind the Raptor name is a series of differences.

The first is the width of the tank up to 150mm compared to the original Ranger, increasing stability when offroad. In addition to the iconic steering wheel, the sides and ears are also redesigned, making the car look more muscular.

The Raptor’s chassis is reinforced in all joints, suspension brackets, or load bearing positions. Fox suspension system is designed for off-road racing, with BF Goodrich multi-terrain tires and super strong wheels.

A few small details, but not a small part of the Raptor’s value. It is a 2.3cm thick reinforced steel undercarriage that protects the engine and transmission from any undercarriage. The Raptor steps take on the basic function as its name implies, while resisting the kicks and protecting the side of the vehicle when needed. Finally, the two rear tow hooks snap straight into the frame so the Raptor can rescue or tow heavy objects.

Inside the car, the seats are high on both thighs and ribs, hugging the occupant’s body. The terrain control system has 6 selectable modes, but the 3 most stimulating modes are Mud / Sand Mode, Rock Climbing Mode and Baja Mode.

Conquer the driver with terrible features?

It would be redundant to take the usual metrics to evaluate the Ranger Raptor, because this car is inherently the most powerful and most advanced in the segment, while the control system is also at the top in terms of responsiveness and creation. emotion for the driver.

During this tough challenge, the Raptor was given the opportunity to show off the three most stimulating modes in Tuan Chau offroad territory – where the 2018 Pickup King just took place.

First, Mud / Sand Mode is triggered when the Raptor conquers dunes or mud pits. In addition to increasing traction at moderate speeds, the terrain control also allows the wheel to slip, providing the thrust acceleration needed to avoid losing momentum. Obstacle examinations, inclination tests, staggered holes … in the offroad territory become bland.

Next is Rock Mode (rock climbing), activated together with 4L mode. The feel is that the gearbox changes later, meaning that the traction at slow speeds will be greater, allowing the car to slowly roll over large boulders without the need to recharge. 283mm ground clearance (up 80mm compared to the original Ranger) is a factor contributing to the optimal rock climbing ability of the Raptor.

But here, on this offroad territory, those functions are not the “weapon of destruction” of the Raptor. We mean the Baja Mode – the most challenging mode that the Raptor super-pickup exclusively owns – the name comes from the toughest off-road racing on the Baja 1000 planet.

On the rough dirt track in the test area, the car flew at a speed of nearly 150km / h, still smooth and almost perfectly balanced.

The difference as well as the stamina of the chassis and damping system is evident during high-speed and ground-clearance phases. High-speed flights and landings can put a hundred tons of pressure on Fox’s shock absorbers, but the Raptor stays firm and continues to move smoothly like nothing has happened.

Even Raptor owners may not expect that Ford has used lightweight but super hard and expensive materials such as aluminum alloy or carbon fiber in the system or the ears. This helps to distribute the weight more evenly between the head and tail, making the Raptor more balanced during off-road challenges.

Help the owner to push the limit

The only factor that can be considered to be the downside of the Raptor is noise. If the original Ranger Wildtrak was the quietest in the segment, the Raptor was noisier on the highway due to the installation of AT tires.

With all that comes together, Ranger Raptor is the companion of individual, adventurous and adventurous owners. Ranger Raptor gives the rider an emotion that no other car in Vietnam can do, that is the feeling of conquering the pinnacle of limit, always leading with the attitude of a winner.