The Ford Endeavour was, as many fans would agree, a very different car in comparison to its peers. It was heavy but controllable. It was cavernous inside but also luxurious. It was expensive but not unjustifiably so. To many, it represented the perfect seven-seat SUV in that price bracket. And with Ford’s departure from the Indian market, it left a gaping void in the SUV space. While Ford India hasn’t commented on the possibility of bringing the Endeavour back to India as maybe a completely built unit, the next generation of the SUV (known as Ford Everest elsewhere) is scheduled to be showcased next month. But before that, Ford has already announced what may seem like the perfect car for Ford Everest/Endeavour enthusiasts, the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Developed by Ford Performance, the Ranger Raptor is a more focussed version of the all-new Ranger pick-up. For those new to the topic, the Ranger is to the Everest SUV what the Hilux is to the Toyota Fortuner. With the inclusion of everything that makes it the Raptor, it’s no longer a workhorse.
The new one most certainly isn’t! A 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine powers the Ranger Raptor; it comes mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. In the UK/EU-spec, the powertrain produces 288 PS and is just a tenner short of 500 Nm. Apart from a stronger construction for the engine, Ford has also introduced a race-ready anti-lag system. A new electronically controlled exhaust system has been employed, which can vary the noise depending on one of the four exhaust modes selected. There’s even more on-the-go customisation available thanks to seven driving modes: three for on-road driving and four for off-road.
Furthering its abilities, the Ranger Raptor is equipped with locking differentials, a full-time four-wheel drive system, and an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. Ford Performance has also made bespoke additions to the Ranger Raptor. These include an updated chassis, reinforced and redesigned suspension, FOX shock absorbers tuned by Ford Performance, a front bash plate that’s twice as thick as that on the standard Ranger, etc.
As can be seen in the photos here, the Ranger Raptor has quite an assertive front end: it’s got flared wheel arches, C-clamp matrix LED headlamps and the quite in-yer-face FORD grille. It also gets 17-inch wheels with Raptor-specific all-terrain tyres, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system (connected to a 10-speaker B&O audio system) and a 12.4-inch all-digital instrument console, amber ambient lighting, magnesium pedals, leather steering wheel, etc.
Diesel lovers don’t need to be disappointed, either, as Ford will continue to offer the 2-litre bi-turbo diesel engine from 2023 onwards, mentions the brand. The only thing Ford needs to do now is find enough takers for the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor and import it to India. That will be quite a comeback. Do it for your legions of enthusiastic fans and patrons, Ford!
