Thailand - Ford has unveiled its first performance-tuned Ranger Raptor at a world debut in Bangkok.
The automaker made its global debut of the first Ranger Raptor bakkie at a world-class event on Wednesday (February 7 2019).
More exciting is the fact that this bakkie will also be built locally at the Silverton factory in Pretoria.
While the Ranger Raptor has been hugely-anticipated, and is most certainly a striking bakkie, South African motorists could be puzzled by the fact that it's is only available with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel.
However, the automaker is convinced the smaller engine is the best option for its new bakkie.
Ford announced in September 2017 that its hugely popular Ranger bakkie will be available in an off-road performance variant for the first time. The purpose-built, desert-racing inspired bakkie joins the Ford Performance family, as the new ‘Ranger Raptor ‘
Ford SA says: "The Ranger Raptor will be coming to South Africa, with further information to be revealed in due course. There is no estimated time of arrival as yet.
"Designed and engineered to deliver an adrenaline pumping experience, Ford Ranger Raptor sports a head-turning exterior look that exudes toughness as well as a level of capability and off-road performance never before seen in the mid-size bakkie segment.
"Sharing the same nomenclature as the F-150 Raptor, the world’s most extreme production bakkie, Ranger Raptor is in a class of its own among mid-size off-road performance vehicles."
So what makes the Ranger Raptor distinctive?
In terms of styling, the Raptor features a new, huge grille, bumper, bold wheel arches and fenders with grey accents. Ford says there are new sheet moulding compound (SMC) front fenders which wrap around the 150mm wider stance from the track. It sports 2.3mm thick high-strength steel for underbody protection. At the rear there's a unique box side, redesigned bumper and tow-bar integration along with a functional aluminium die-cast side step. Inside, there are beautiful sculpted eats, upholstery and signature blue stitches in lightning blue. Ford reckons its cabin has been designed for comfort and confidence with the Ford Performance DNA running throughout its styling. The steering wheel has a red stripe on top of the wheel as a centre marker. It also has unique spokes, debossed graphic and magnesium paddle shifters.
Driving modes
The other aspect of the Raptor's speciality is its Terrain Management System (TMS) which has six various modes to choose from to suite any kind of driving surface, including one called Baja mode. Despite the Baja Dessert Race being highly acclaimed internationally, we reckon this could have been better suited as the Dakar mode for local buyers. But then again, that would be stepping on Toyota's toes with its Hilux. Ford reckons: "Each mode has been precisely calibrated to offer the best possible combination of technologies working in unison to tackle the chosen driving style with sangfroid." Each mode can be selected via a dedicated five-button switch located on the steering wheel.On-road modes
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- Normal mode: Emphasising comfort, fuel economy and driveability
- Sport mode: Responsive for spirited on-road driving. This means fast, crisp gear shifts at higher engine speeds to aid throttle response. The mapping reacts to increased demand inputs from the driver by holding gears longer and downshifting more aggressively.
Off-road modes
- Grass/Gravel/Snow mode: Designed to inspire safe and confident driving on off-road slippery and uneven surfaces. This is done through smoother gear shifts and second-gear starts, minimizing the probability of wheel slip.
- Mud/Sand mode: Vehicle responsiveness is tuned for optimum traction and momentum in deep, deformable surfaces like loose sand and mud. This is achieved by maintaining lower gears with high torque.
- Rock mode: Used specifically for low-speed rocky terrain where smooth controllability is key.
- Baja mode: Vehicle responsiveness is tuned for high-speed off-road performance, just like drivers need in the famous Baja Desert Rally. In this mode, vehicle systems like Traction Control are pared back in terms of intervention to allow spirited off-road driving without fighting the vehicle’s on-board systems. Gear selection is optimized for maximum performance, and the mapping will hold gears longer and downshift more aggressively.
Here at CMH Kempster Ford Pretoria North,we encourage each other to always seek to excel ourselves, we strive to make it a daily obsession to make the most out of our potential.
We’ve put an “Own Personal Best” award system in place where we gave certificates with every individuals’ personal best from the past few months, encouraging them to better themselves to get another award by the end of each month if they improved from the previous month and selecting an employee of the month for each department.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the following people:
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, we do appreciate each and every one of you. By combining our passion and teamwork we are definitely turning into an unbeatable winning team hungry for success.
At CMH Kempster Ford Umhlanga, we know that our customers demand the highest quality parts and accessories, and that's why we provide FORD genuine parts to our customers. Our Vehicle parts are perfectly matched to your vehicle because they are designed at exactly the same time as your vehicle was. Our highly trained personnel are always here to ensure that you get the right parts or accessories, when you need them.
Whether you have a mechanical breakdown or need to replace a part, we at CMH Kempster Ford Umhlanga are always there to assist you. Meet the Guys behind our very successful Parts department. They have every part you need for your Ford.
The Parts department is managed by Ayden Naidoo. Also part of the team is Logan Naidoo (Manager Assistant) who has served this very department for just over 20 years. Our sales executives, Jessy Chetty, who is a platinum member at Ford Motor Company South Africa, and Clinton Poonsamy, along with their assistants, Smanga Ngongoma and Ash Sewbaran.
Ford. Go Further.
We at CMH KEMPSTER FORD PRETORIA are very proud to be part of Ford South Africa's CSI initiative.
Ford South Africa assisted by KEMPSTER FORD PRETORIA donated one Ford Transit Bus each to the Wesley Community Centre as well as to Nosa Early Learning Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Centre. We had Ford South Africa’s representatives there to help with the hand over, it was a memorable and fun day for all involved.
The smiles of the people who were there to represent the organisations were overwhelming, thank you to Johan Booysen our New Vehicle Sales Executive for taking the time to explain the specifications and user specifics of the busses to the organisations. He made sure the individuals were comfortable and ready to use these great vehicles.
We believe we will keep the good relationship going further. Welcome to our Ford family and We know you will #GOFurther
Having said that, I would like to congratulate our Service Department, for delivering excellent customer service to one of our clients. They executed our core values and ethics to our customer as the Ford brand, to perfection.
Mr. Dave Moran who recently brought his car in for service seems extremely happy and excited about the service he received from the service staff. He wrote an email to our dealership in which he had this to say:
Hi
“I am writing this email to thank CMH Ford Umhlanga for their excellent service and friendly professional staff.
We are a small business and our Ford Delivery vehicle is a key part of our service delivery. So having this vehicle off the road for any amount of time presents tremendous challenges to us.
Each time I have asked the service department to see if they can help minimise my downtime they have gone out of their way to help.
The service conducted yesterday was dealt with by Ramondo. He accepted our vehicle the day before and had it ready for me by 8h00.
He was enthusiastic, friendly and professional and above all, got my vehicle on the road quickly.
Thank you.
I will surely recommend your dealership to friends and family.
A great day to you all.
David Moran
Eat Greek Foods”
It is employees like you that keep shining our Ford brand. Congratulations and thank you for the amazing service delivered.
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As an added extra to our customers, we did a lucky draw every hour, with our customers winning great vouchers from some of our partners. Our staff was not left out of the fun, as we also create an internal competition with staff members asked to wear their vintage inspired outfits for a chance o win a dinner for two vouchers. They jumped at the opportunity to participate and pulled out some great outfits. We would like to thank the Pretoria Old Motor Club for their great support and we cannot wait till we do it again next year, BIGGER & BETTER.
