Ford launched the 2024 Ranger midsize pickup in Might. The revamped truck now comes with both four- or six-cylinder engines and in three trims. However the greatest information for the brand new Ranger is the addition of the off-road centered Ranger Raptor variant to the lineup, earlier variations of which have been offered abroad for years.
To convey a brand new Ford Ranger Raptor, the hardest of Rangers, to the American market, the corporate put it via a number of the most grueling testing it has ever created.
“Ranger clients pleasure themselves in figuring out that they are absolutely ready to take their automobiles into no matter challenges or adventures they select. They count on that their pickup truck will be capable to stand as much as no matter punishment they throw at it. They are often assured they’re going to be capable to come again out of the woods,” Juan De Pena, Ranger North American Chief Engineer informed Newsweek.
Ford examined this midsize Ranger on 5 continents as will probably be constructed at 5 vegetation around the globe together with Argentina, South Africa, two in Thailand and one in Michigan. It logged 6,000 miles in Australia on its harshest roads. Within the U.S. it was testing for sturdiness when towing and hauling (5,510 pound and 1,411 kilos, respectively). It assessments in scorching climate as much as 120 levels and all the way down to freezing temperatures of minus 40 levels.
1 of 9
Ford Motor Firm
“The transmission has over 3.7 million miles of testing. Moreover, the Ranger has about 2,500 miles of racing improvement, representing a couple of lifetime’s price of structural fatigue that conventional automobiles would see. It is equal to driving across the US twice and stopping at each step alongside the best way. On the proving grounds we use robots as a result of the surfaces are too aggressive for folks to drive,” De Pena mentioned.
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor comes with its personal six-cylinder engine not out there in the remainder of the lineup. The three.0-liter EcoBoost delivers 405 horsepower (hp) and 430 pound-feet (lb-ft) via a four-wheel drive system, a brand new switch case and locking differentials entrance and rear. It makes use of bolstered Ranger body rails, entrance shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting factors and extra.
These engines get full throttle runs within the lab on dynamometers, a machine that simulates acceleration and braking, for 1000’s of hours. Ford does this on tons of of automobiles and engines to ensure it finds each doable fault.
“We’ve got three pre-production phases. We wish to measure twice and reduce as soon as. We do not need our clients to search out an issue, that is the worst. We failed our job if you happen to’re paying 1,000s of {dollars} for that product and then you definately’re the guinea pig for the product,” he mentioned.
Ford Motor Firm
To verify it was testing the precise issues, Ford did a ton of buyer analysis for the Ranger and Raptor Ranger, assembly clients the place they stay, the place they work and the place they play on the paths. The corporate says it is aware of what they care about and what they want in a midsize pickup.
“So the very first thing that they informed us is that this automobile needs to be straightforward to maneuver, each within the metropolis and on the path. It can’t be intimidating to drive each day. And it additionally has to have the flexibility to slot in parking spots and parking garages. In addition they mentioned we now have to have off highway functionality to get out on the path,” Gretchen Sauer, Ranger Advertising and marketing Supervisor informed Newsweek.
Meaning flared fenders with useful fender vents, 33-inch BFGoodrich tires on non-obligatory beadlock wheels. These particular wheels hold the tires linked even when decreasing the tires strain, which is what off-road drivers do in sandy and rocky situations for extra traction. It additionally means underbody safety product of metal plates protecting the engine, switch case and gasoline tank.
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor cabin contains a 360-degree and front-view cameras for off-roading, zone lighting to light up a campsite and Professional Trailer Backup Help to assist again up boats and campers. It has a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch middle touchscreen operating with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Ranger Raptor remaining testing second got here within the Baja 1000, a 1,000-mile off-road race. Not solely did it full the demanding race in 26 hours and 21 minutes, profitable the midclass class. It additionally drove 200 extra miles residence to California.
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor goes on sale later this month for $56,960. The usual Ford Ranger begins at $34,160.