Ford is planning to launch its very popular pick-up truck – the Ranger Raptor in India. The American automobile giant that offers two SUVs in India – EcoSport and Endeavour – is planning to import the Ranger Raptor in limited numbers. The Ranger Raptor is a performance pick-up truck, which can do wonders on the off-roading trails. The Ranger Raptor is likely to be priced close to the Jeep Wrangler.
According to ACI, Ford will make use of the import rule that allows the manufacturers to import 2,500 units every year without homologation. It will be launched in the Indian market in the second half of next year. However, since it will be a CBU (Completely Built Unit), the price can jack up to Rs 70 lakh. But the Ranger Raptor will be a unique product in the Indian market.
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How Ford Ranger Raptor is unique?
The Ford Ranger Raptor is designed for speed and performance, unlike other pick-up trucks that are designed to carry heavy loads. The ladder frame gets strengthened to ensure that you can take the Ranger Raptor to do some good speed on the trails and the extra strength makes the pick-up good enough for jumps too. Even the side-rails have been strengthened to take the impact of an additional one G. To take the beating, the front suspension towers also get extra strength and the regular leaf springs have been replaced with Watt’s linkage at the rear. It will allow the vehicle to offer greater directional stability.
The Raptor also gets a 2.5-inch off-roading-spec racing coil overs from race truck specialist Fox. This translates into 30 per cent extra wheel travel. It seriously means that you don’t have to slow down on bad sections of the trails. Owning one of these means that you will have a road-legal Baja or Dakar type vehicle!
The Ford Ranger’s ground clearance is a massive 283mm. With a water wading depth of 800mm, the Raptor Ranger will be able to go about any location that you have in mind. Ford offers massive 285mm tyres that allow greater traction.
Powering the Ford Ranger Raptor is a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine. It generates a maximum power of 213 PS and peak torque of 500 Nm. The transmission is similar to the Ford Endeavour’s 10-speed automatic unit. To aid the driver, there is a four-wheel-drive system and it gets six modes that include grass, gravel, snow and rock climbing. The vehicle also gets a BAJA mode that reduces chassis intervention and allows the driver to attain maximum speed over rough terrain.
It should be noted that the Ford Ranger Raptor has already been spotted in India with temporary number plates. Ford is yet to announce any details on the upcoming performance pick-up officially at the moment. However, since the vehicle is already here, the brand may start accepting bookings next year before officially launching the vehicle in the market.
Ford is also working with Mahindra to bring an all-new vehicle based on the next-generation Mahindra XUV500. The SUV will take on the likes of Tata Harrier, MG Hector and mid and high-end variants of the Creta and the Kia Seltos. It will be launched sometime in 2021 and will get the Mahindra petrol and diesel engines. Both the brands are planning to launch many new cars together in the Indian market in the coming years.
Also read: 3-year-old Toyota Fortuner selling Rs. 15 lakh cheaper than new
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