CAPE TOWN –Earlier in February, Ford unveiled its first Ranger Raptor at a world debut in Bangkok, Thailand. The carmaker also revealed that the Silverton Plant in Pretoria will be one of three locations where the bakkies will be built.
Ford South Africa has yet to confirm when the new bakkie will be launched locally though it will in 2019. It will be available with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine that delivers 157Kw and 500Nm.
Chief engineer at Ford Performance, Jamal Hameedi, said the Raptor is not about power, it’s about the chassis and the suspension. Hameedi also said: “Customers won’t be disappointed when they drive this. It’s lighter, more powerful and has more torque. It takes a page from the Ford GT that has a little V6 twin-turbo engine that’s doing the work and is a more efficient engine.
“There’s so much technology now that there’s no replacement for displacement.”
Readers, however, had concerns about the Ford having “only” a 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel in the Raptor. But others have positive comments about the vehicle.
Hameedi added about the engine saying: “Coming back to the Raptor engine: time will tell but I think readers must hold onto their concerns about the “small” engine until they get a chance to drive one.”
Photo Credit- eNCA, Car and Driver, Street Machine and News Atlas
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