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Rare Mercury Cougar Blends Muscle with LuxurySneak Peek: 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor
Ford finally gives the Raptor treatment to their mid-sized Ranger pickup resulting in a uniquely intriguing off-road beast.
Raptor Arrives for Ranger
All good things come to those who wait. While that may or may not be true in real life, at least when it comes to the Ford Ranger Raptor, our patience has paid off. Though already on the prowl in Australia and other markets, up until now Ford had neglected to share a Raptor version of their mid-size Ranger pickup with those of us in the States. That changes with the arrival of the all-new 2024 Ranger which brings along the aggressively off-road Raptor as its top trim level.
New Powertrain
The 2024 Ford Ranger carried the familiar 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four making a respectable 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. A new optional twin-turbo 2.7L V6 is being introduced for 2024, with 315 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Not too shabby. But, like its F-150 and Bronco brethren, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor requires another level of output for smashing the dunes and bombing over dirt tracks. That comes curtesy of a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 good for 405 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. All three engines come paired with the same 10-speed automatic.
Unique Raptor Suspension
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, again like the F-150 and Bronco Raptors, is wider than its standard version, in its case by three inches. Along with flared fenders and 10.7-inches of ground clearance, there is plenty of extra room for upgraded suspension components on the new Ranger Raptor. Ford makes the most of this additional space by overhauling the Ranger’s suspension starting with new Fox Live Valve shocks with coil overs in front and piggy-back reservoirs on the rear. Ford has reinforced things including suspension mounting points, front frame rails, rear shock brackets, and front shock towers along with forged aluminum control arms.
Selectable drive modes for the Ranger Raptor adjust not just the suspension but also the engine and transmission, throttle response, the ABS, traction control, and steering. Drive modes include Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and (of course) Baja. Even the Raptor’s dual exhaust gets its own settings: Quiet, Normal, and Baja.
Additional Raptor Accruements
In addition to a new engine and an upgraded suspension, the Ranger Raptor gets loads of other off-road features. Four-wheel drive comes standard on the Raptor but so do two locking differentials, front and rear, as well as an on-demand two-speed transfer case. The Raptor also gets knobby 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. A 360-degree camera and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist features are there to make trailering things into uncharted territory a little simpler.
While the Ranger Raptor mostly mirrors other high-end Ranger trims, it does get unique Code Orange piping on the seats, dash, wheel, and other bits. You will also notice magnesium alloy paddle shifters and a nifty set of ceiling-mounted switches for all those off-road features.
The new 2024 Ford Ranger XL will start at $35,755. The Ranger Raptor starts a little higher at $56,960, but that is still a ton less than either the F-150 or Bronco Raptors. For unreasonable fun at a more reasonable price point, the new Ranger Raptor looks like a winner.
