The faster Ford Ranger is now on sale in Singapore for S$177,888 with a commercial vehicle Certificate of Entitlement

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SINGAPORE — Super SUVs are now a thing, so why not powerful pick-ups? The Ford Ranger Raptor embodies that idea, and is about to test the market for it. Ford distributor Regent Motors has just put it on sale here for S$177,888, including Certificate Of Entitlement (COE).

Mind you, that’s a Category C COE, because the Ranger Raptor is a double-cab pick-up. It’ll have a “G” licence plate, and driving it into Malaysia will require approval from the guvnors there. Strictly speaking, you’ll need a business entity to own one here. 

But it’ll probably be a jolly fun business, since “Raptor” is Ford’s label for high-performance versions of its pick-up trucks. They get beefed-up for off-roading, too.

Accordingly, the Ranger gets a menacing front grille and “Raptor” decals, along with a huge bash plate up front, wheelarch extensions and chunky BF Goodrich knobblies for serious 4×4 stuff in the mud or sand.

More to the point, there’s a 2.0-litre turbodiesel under the bonnet good for 213 horsepower at just 3,750rpm. It cranks out a mighty 500 Newton-metres of peak torque 2,000rpm. A 10-speed auto sits between the engine and the part-time four-wheel drive system.

The Ranger Raptor weighs a hefty 2,435kg, though, so it isn’t a veloci-raptor in spite of the fierce looks. 0 to 100km/h takes 10.4 seconds. For comparison, the Jeep Gladiator, which isn’t billed as a high-performance car, makes it to 100 in 8.1 seconds. At least the Ford’s not monstrously thirsty, slurping down diesel at 8.9 litres per 100km. 

Still, much of the car’s appeal is likely down to its looks. The cabin has blue stitching and the sporty seats have a synthetic upholstery material called Technical Suede.

You get racy red needles for the dials, and the gearchange paddles are magnesium. Perforated leather covers the steering wheel, which also gets a red stripe at the top. Yum.

If you’re keen on off-roading, the Ford Ranger Raptor has a number of terrain settings, such as Rock or Baja (presumably for the desert, since it takes its name from the notorious, car-killing Mexican race), in addition to a Sport mode for hooning it up on the road.

The long-travel suspension gives it 239mm of ground clearance, and the Ranger Raptor will wade through water 850mm deep. The approach angle is 32.5 degrees, but the long rear overhang means the departure angle is just 24 degrees.

Incidentally, that cargo area will hold 1,180 litres of stuff. More practical stuff: the Ranger Raptor comes with proper three-point seatbelts for all three rear passengers and six airbags.

Hopefully you won’t need those, since the active safety system count is fairly high.

The Ford has stability control to keep the car on the tarmac, as well as an anti-rollover system to keep the shiny side up. The Ranger Raptor also comes with Forward Collision Warning, which anticipates potential collisions and warns the driver, then provides brake assistance.

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There’s also a lane departure warning system, which helps to keep Raptors from straying across lane markings. Interestingly, the 6-inch satellite navigation screen can show breadcrumbs that let you double back in case you get lost in the wilderness.

The Ranger Raptor’s arrival could help to bring some relief to a dry spell at Ford. A two-car Mustang-Ranger line-up has seen the brand struggle in Singapore, with just 35 registrations so far in 2020 and only 43 for all of last year.

For all its off-roading prowess, the Ranger Raptor’s true mission is to put more Fords on the road.

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