Ford’s Raptor range embodies the ‘Built Ford Tough’ ethos
All Raptor stock form models compete at the Baja 1000 race
Ford’s Raptor family – comprising the Ranger Raptor, Bronco Raptor, and F-150 Raptor – is more than just a collection of trucks. They embody the ‘Built Ford Tough’ ethos, merging the brand’s street truck expertise with a deep-rooted off-road racing heritage.
The Raptor’s journey began in 2009 with the revolutionary F-150 Raptor. Since then, it has evolved over the last 15 years, expanding into a lineup of three vehicles, each bringing its distinct off-road prowess while adhering to the core principles defining the original Raptor.
From the start, the F-150 Raptor set the benchmark for off-road performance with its wider track, reinforced frame, long-travel suspension, Ford Performance-tuned engines, and robust design features such as heavy-duty bash plates and upturned steel bumpers. These characteristics remain in all Raptor models, alongside cutting-edge features like anti-lag technology and advanced drive modes, including the celebrated Baja1 mode.
The enduring commitment to real-world performance is evident because all Raptor models compete in stock form at the prestigious Baja 1000 race, a proving ground for endurance and reliability in the most gruelling conditions.
According to Justin Capicchiano, Ford Performance and Special Vehicle Program Manager at Ford Australia, the Raptor family stands out in the truck world. “The Raptor family is a breed apart from their base model siblings,” Capicchiano said. “It’s a family of vehicles inspired by Ford’s off-road racing heritage and a lineup that’s now proven itself in some of the toughest off-road races on the planet.”
Globally, the Raptor lineup has garnered substantial success. The Ranger Raptor, for instance, has found a devoted following in markets ranging from South Africa and the Middle East to Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Ford’s International Markets Group President, Kay Hart, highlighted the model’s popularity: “Across IMG in 2024, one in every six Rangers purchased was a Ranger Raptor,” Hart said.
Regarding off-road capabilities, the Ranger Raptor, Bronco Raptor, and F-150 Raptor stand as apex predators. These trucks are engineered to conquer various terrains, whether racing through rough gravel tracks, tackling low-speed rock crawling, or charging across sand dunes.
Each model is equipped with selectable drive modes, live-valve Fox shocks that “predict and prepare” for challenging conditions, and reinforced chassis and suspension systems designed to endure the punishment of off-road driving.
“All three Raptor models have been developed with purpose in mind,” Capicchiano added. “And that purpose is performance. Whether it’s Ranger Raptor, Bronco Raptor, or F-150 Raptor, one drive down the road is enough to tell you that these machines mean business and that the Raptor name goes all the way down to the bone.”
Hero image: Ford Bronco Raptor. Credit: Ford
