2023 Ford Ranger Raptor: South African Pricing Revealed

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has launched in South Africa, marking the second iteration of Ford’s high-powered bakkie. Furthermore, the pricing of the new entry has been announced.

“The outgoing Ranger Raptor that we launched locally in 2019 created an entirely new segment for performance bakkies. It has been exceptionally popular, maintained strong sales demand throughout its lifespan and remains without rival four years later,” said Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa.

“Ford’s development team raised an already high bar to entirely new heights with the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor by focusing on delivering a vehicle that is significantly more powerful, much faster, designed to conquer even more challenging terrain, tougher than ever and has more aggressive and purposeful looks to match,” Mashinini says.

The biggest news for performance fans is the introduction of a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine, producing 292kW and 583Nm – nearly doubling the power output compared to the previous Ranger Raptor (from 157kW), while adding an extra 83Nm of torque.

The twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine boasts a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block, which is around 75 percent stronger and up to 75 percent stiffer than the iron used in traditional castings. Ford Performance ensured the engine delivers immediate response to throttle inputs, and a race-bred anti-lag system, available in the Baja drive mode, enables rapid delivery of boost on demand by keeping the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle. This enables faster resumption of acceleration out of corners or between gears when the driver gets back on the accelerator.

Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission – each gear programmed with its own boost profile – Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s new engine delivers effortless acceleration on tarmac, gravel, dirt, mud and sand. And, with an electronically controlled active exhaust system that amplifies the engine note in four selectable drive modes (Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja), the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s vocal character ranges from mild to wild.

It also features all-new tough, lightweight aluminium upper and lower control arms, long-travel front and rear suspension and refined Watt’s link rear end have been designed to deliver more control across rough terrain at high speed.

In addition to the suspension and exhaust modes, drivers can select from four steering modes from the specially tuned electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS): Normal, Sport, Comfort and Off-Road – the latter only available when Baja Drive Mode is selected.

New permanent 4WD system

For the first time, the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor gets an advanced permanent four-wheel drive system with an all-new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case. This is combined with the standard rear locking differential, as well as a new front locking differential that takes the vehicle’s off-road capability to new heights.

Replacing the part-time four-wheel drive system in the previous model, the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor’s permanent 4WD system’s default driving mode is 4A (Automatic) which can be used on and off-road as it constantly adjusts the flow of drive between the front and rear axles for enhanced traction in all conditions. The driver can easily select 2H mode via the push-button controls to engage rear-wheel drive only, or 4H to lock it into four-wheel drive for improved grip and control on loose surfaces. Selecting 4L switches to low-range for more arduous off-road terrain.

Design & aesthetics

The new Ranger Raptor has also been given a visual overhaul, with some new design tweaks to signify the upgraded model. Flared wheel arches, Ford truck DNA C-clamp headlights derived from the Next-Gen Ranger, bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille, and a bumper that’s separated from the grille make up some of the immediately noticeable changes.

The flared fenders accommodate a muscular 17-inch wheel design wrapped in 285/70 R17 BF Goodrich all-terrain KO2 tyres. Functional vents, aero features, and tough, new-design cast aluminium side steps help enhance the look and functionality of the vehicle. At the rear, LED taillights provide a signature link to the front, while the precision grey rear bumper features an integrated step pad and towbar that is tucked up high to increase the departure angle from 24 to 25 degrees.

The vehicle comes in the attention-grabbing new Code Orange, along with the distinctive Conquer Grey – both non-metallic and exclusive to this high-performance model. Other colour options comprise solid Arctic White and five metallic paints: Absolute Black, Blue Lightning, Aluminium Metallic, Meteor Grey and Sedona Orange.

Pricing (includes VAT)

The Ranger Raptor 3.0L V6 EcoBoost 4WD 10AT is priced at R1,094,900. Included as standard is a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.