We’ve crawled over the new Ford Ranger Raptor and apprenticed an engineering analysis vehicle. While we delay for the embargo to lift on antecedent active impressions, actuality is our ambition account of upgrades.
Ford engineers are putting the finishing touches on the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor – now with twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol ability – ahead of exhibit arrivals mid year.
And Drive was amid a accumulation of media accustomed an aboriginal examination of the new archetypal during some final engineering validation work.
While antecedent drive impressions are beneath embargo – and the barrage of showroom-ready cartage is still months abroad – we were able to apprentice a lot afterwards ample over the new Ford Ranger Raptor.
As absorbing as it is, no car is absolute – and Ford has already starting alive on active changes throughout the lifecycle of the vehicle.
So actuality is our ambition account of changes – some big, some baby – we’d adulation to see on approaching versions.
The new Ford Ranger Raptor is abstraction up to be an ballsy agent but, as the adage goes, there’s consistently allowance for improvement.
There’s now allowance for three versions of the Raptor, in our opinion.
As we appear aftermost week, Ford is because a Raptor RS with alley rubber.
In our acquaintance with the abolished Ford Ranger Raptor and Ford Ranger FX4 Max, the BF Goodrich KO3 all-terrain tyres are abundant off-road but glace on wet closed roads.
There’s an accessible win here. Better tyres would advance on-road administration and abbreviate braking distances, wet or dry.
With 0 to 100km/h achievement said to be in the sub-6 additional range, we’re action the Ford Ranger Raptor would account from added on-road grip.
There is additionally allowance for a Raptor HD (for abundant duty) in our opinion.
This would be, in effect, today’s Ford Ranger FX4 Max but with a new name.
If we had our way, the Ford Raptor HD would appear with the turbo agent V6, Fox shocks, BF Goodrich KO2 tyres, and F-O-R-D grille – but a blade bounce rear abeyance accoutrement for 3.5-tonne towing.
The towing is important because we apperceive endless Ford Ranger owners who would adulation to buy a Raptor but charge 3.5-tonne towing.
As it stands, the Raptor is bound to a still-generous 2.5-tonne accommodation towing due to its ballsy Fox shocks.
We account there is allowance for both variants.
Ford would charge to adjudge whether to accommodate Raptor seats, the advanced bar, and the advanced and rear tow hooks. But we would vote in favour of this.
Using the TDV6, the Raptor HD would additionally accept amplitude beneath the beanie for a additional array (the turbo petrol V6 Raptor does not accept this advantage due to the beyond air box), and the achievability to fit the optional, diesel-ready, ARB all-embracing ammunition tank.
The Raptor HD could additionally be able with the balustrade with sliding tie-down credibility in the ute tub, and the footfall wedges in the rear fenders (they’re absent on the twin-turbo V6 petrol Raptor to accomplish way for the bifold bankrupt system).
Protectors of the Raptor name would say not to use the Raptor brand on a Raptor HD.
But the accepted Ford Ranger FX4 Max is already allotment Raptor acknowledgment to F-O-R-D grille, Fox shocks and BF Goodrich tyres.
Having aloof done 6000km in a accepted Ford Ranger FX4 Max, it already has Raptor qualities.
We account it would not aching the acme Raptor archetypal at all by administration the name. On the accepted Ford Ranger FX4 Max, Ford already shares the key ingredients.
If we had a abracadabra baton the twin-turbo V6 petrol Ford Ranger Raptor would be alleged artlessly Raptor, Raptor X, or Raptor Baja.
Then the added models could be alleged Raptor RS and Raptor HD.
Hash tag, you’re welcome.
Reminder: these are our account only, not Ford’s approaching plans.
Our added suggestions beneath are added alcove but, hey, we diaphoresis the details.
Ford agilely ditched extendable sun visors on the runout Ford Ranger about a year ago in the achievement we wouldn’t apprehension they’re missing on the new one.
But we admired this feature, which was abnormally accessible at blocking ancillary blaze on aurora and sunset.
Four one-touch ‘express’ ability windows
This ability assume like a baby affair but it’s a akin of detail that is accepted in the Toyota HiLux and Volkswagen Amarok.
All four windows in those utes accept one-touch auto-up function; in the new Ford Ranger alone the disciplinarian window has this functionality.
The burden switches are a few cents per car. C’mon guys…
Bonnet struts against a beanie post
Despite the new Ford Ranger Raptor costing $10,000 added than the aboriginal – and $6100 added than the accepted archetypal – Ford has deleted gas struts for the bonnet.
An old-school metal column was acclimated to accumulate the beanie accessible on the engineering sample cars.
Anyone absent to appearance off the new agent will charge to accept able arms, to authority the beanie up to get the column in place.
On that note, buyers absolutely will be able to show-off the new engine, because it’s naked beneath the bonnet.
There is no artificial cover, aloof lots of pipes and clamps.
One of the better criticisms of the approachable Ford Ranger is its anemic headlights.
Ford fabricated active changes to the XLT, Wildtrak, and Raptor lamps about 18 months ago but they still weren’t brilliant.
Ford promises the new models accept accomplished lighting; the Raptor assets “matrix” bi-LEDs which are said to about-face night into day.
But we account there is still allowance for an official, Ford-backed LED ablaze bar band to go beyond the advanced of the new Ford Ranger Raptor. Pretty please?
Given we apprehend the new twin-turbo V6 petrol agent to be a agog beast, could Ford amuse allocution to ARB about developing a continued ambit catchbasin accordant with unleaded petrol?
The continued ambit tanks due to be accessible at barrage were developed for agent models only. Amuse and acknowledge you.
All-weather bench covers, abysmal bowl elastic attic mats
We would adulation Ford to action factory-backed, airbag-compatible, canvass-style bench covers that are advantageous and can handle a bit of mud.
Buyers apparently don’t appetite to blend up their autogenous afterwards a weekend away.
While we’re at it, we’d adulation Ford to advance clip-in high-sided, deep-dish, elastic attic mats to bolt water, beach and mud.
Otherwise, we’re off to Supercheap to buy those one-size-fits-all elastic mats that move about beneath your feet.
The new Ford Ranger has a accessible accommodation for ample smartphones, which doubles as a wireless charging pad.
But it’s a bound fit for ample smartphones aback able with able waterproof cases.
Please, Ford autogenous designers. Amuse booty into application ample phones with beefy cases aback barometer up the abutting interior.
Many Ranger owners accept phones with bulky waterproof cases so the accessories are adequate on job sites, aback camping, or out on a boat.
Please acquiesce added allowance aback you’re abutting alive on that allotment of the interior.
Certain models in the new Ford Ranger agency are able with balustrade in the ute tub with adjustable tie-down points.
It’s an abstraction that appears to accept been aggressive by the Nissan Navara.
Regardless of who came up with the idea, it’s genius.
But amuse accomplish this able tie-down band-aid accessible on the new Ford Ranger Raptor.
Some barter absolutely do put some being in the back. Sometimes.
Ford Ranger Raptor 2025 Interior – ford ranger raptor 2025
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