Introducing Europe's Ranger Raptor
It should come as no surprise that in a couple of short months, the Ford Ranger will make its comeback in the States. It should also come as no surprise that the Ranger has already been gracing the roads of Europe for a couple of years now. But Cockermouth-based rally car-builder M-Sport is not satisfied with the stock Ranger or any of its trim levels currently available. M-Sport chief Malcolm Wilson, a former star rally driver, is driven to establish a lineup of modified road cars and he already offers M-Sport versions of the Transit Custom and Connect. The focus of the modifications is on decor and suspension. Their modified Ranger, above, hits showrooms next month.
Jumbo Shrimp
In the UK, this high-end Ranger fills a market already covered in the States by Ford's Raptor. It's a pickup with performance and roadability to rival a specialist SUV. The M-Sport Ranger is neither as big or wide as a Raptor, but it’s still 17 and a half feet long and weighs 2.2 tons, which is quite large by European standards. It's ready to rumble with 197 bhp and 347 lb-foot of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in just under 11 seconds, which is not muscle car brisk, but good enough. Where it excels is in its mid-range acceleration as it can go from 30 to 70 mph in 11.7 seconds.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Ranger M-Sport right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Lazer Lights and More
What the M-Sport offers that the factory Ranger doesn't is road presence. Up front, a new bumper, bonnet lip, and grille (with inset Lazer lights) give it a Raptor like glare. The black wheel arch extensions and door handles give this angry hare some pop and a sports exhaust by XXX a bit more grumble.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Ranger M-Sport right here in Ford-trucks.com.
The Inner Sanctum
Inside the cabin, the truck has been refitted with black leather, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a thicker rim that looks and feels more Raptor than Ranger.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Ranger M-Sport right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Autocar Goes Off-road
Steve Cropley of Autocar tested a Ranger M-Sport that included the optional off-road package which lifts the truck by 1.5 inches and relaxes the rear springs so that the ride levels out. The package also includes an undershield and Lazer light bar over the windshield. On the road, its large five-cylinder diesel engine gave the truck a very smooth but powerful ride. Cropley reported that "You sit much higher than you do in a Range Rover, especially with the extra ground clearance, which takes a bit of getting used to, and there is noticeable body roll and a fair bit of scrabbling at bends as the chunky tyres on 18 inch wheels work hard to change direction."
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Ranger M-Sport right here in Ford-trucks.com.
A Better Ride
Cropley also reported that the chassis grips well and resists understeer and the steering is surprisingly accurate. "You can hustle it when you need to, and it's surprisingly enjoyable." Apparently, the vast wheelbase and the softer rear springs give this version of the Ranger a better ride than the factory Ranger chassis which is evidently quite stiff by comparison.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Ranger M-Sport right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Ranger M-Sport Specs
Ford Ranger M-Sport 3.2 TDCi 4X4 double cab - Specs
- Price: £35,995 plus VAT ($46,409)
- Engine: 3198 cc, 5-cyl diesel
- Power: 197 bhp at 3700 rpm
- Torque: 347 lb-ft at 1500-2750 rpm
- Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
- Curb weight: 2193kg (4835 lbs)
- 0-62 mph: 10.6 seconds
- Top speed: 115 mph
- Economy: 31.7 mpg (combined)
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