Caught up in the Raptor

For Asians, the Ford Ranger Raptor is a pickup truck that is as good as an American pie can get.

When we have always salivated over the features of the Ford F-150 Raptor which can just overwhelm the roads with its sheer size and power, Ford is raising the level of the truck competition on this side of the world with a new derivative of the Ranger that carries every bit of the Raptor DNA.

No wonder Ford is pitching the Raptor as Asia’s first-ever purpose-built, no holds-barred, factory ready off-road truck.

Unveiled recently in Bangkok, Thailand, the fascia of the all-new Ranger clearly sets the design philosophy that is all about the ruggedness and boldness of its father (or maybe stepfather?) that is sold in the United States with a powerful engine, super-strong chassis, and all the technological advancements worthy of every cent spent for it.

If looks could kill, this one’s also a charmer. And maybe it’s time to believe that there’s now a Raptor size that fits all.

So if you’re in the market for a pickup truck in 2018, don’t tell us we didn’t tell you.

Updated styling on the rear includes flush sensor bezels and especially packaged and styled tow connectors.

Here’s what we saw, touched, and heard in Bangkok:

Under the hood of the Ranger Raptor is a new 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel developing 213 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It is mated exclusively to a 10-speed automatic and four-wheel-drive.

Gone is the blue oval on the grille; that’s now replaced by four big block letters that makes you feel like charging the American company for free advertising without even trying.

So everything that gets in the way of the Raptor will have to deal with the extra huge Ford logo, whether they like it or not, driver included.

The front bumper also includes new LED fog lamps with functional air-curtain ducts.

Enhancing the sexy body are well-enhanced wheel arches housing 17-inch wheels rimmed with all-terrain tires.

Inside the cabin are seats that are specially designed for off-road high speed performance support, allowing the driver to engage in enthusiastic handling, while also providing superior on-road comfort.

Quite impressive are the seats made of suede, on which Raptor logos are emblazoned to the feel of a luxury vehicle.

Ford’s blue oval is replaced by four big block letters on the grille.

The buzz was that the all-new Raptor is going to be faster than all other mid-size pickups challenging its impending reign.

There’s also a drive mode selector to make the vehicle more responsive in the mud.

Every Raptor comes with a terrain management system (TMS) offering six modes for various driving experiences, which can be selected via a dedicated five-button switch located on the steering wheel with a Raptor logo debossed into the spoke bezel.

Updated styling on the rear includes flush sensor bezels and especially packaged and styled tow connectors.

Well-enhanced wheel arches house 17-inch wheels rimmed with all-terrain tires.

Providing an abundance of space, the 1560 mm x 1743 mm tray has been designed with the weekend explorer in mind, while the 2500-kg towing capacity gives the Raptor the strength of a Marvel superhero.

Ford officials say that the Raptor, which will be produced in Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM), will hit local shores in the last quarter of the year.

So, the waiting begins for those keen on conquering the toughest road conditions with the Raptor.