Page 16 - Spanish Insight - November 2019
P. 16

INSIGHT - CARS

        Sponsored by FORD GARUM MOTOR in Velez Malaga





        “Climb every mountain” is a good phrase to use for this
        car tested which was the  ford  ranger  raptor 2.0 213
        hp.4x4 auto. A ford Performance vehicle with prices from
        49.900€ with ford finance, taxes included for autónomo/
        business, call in to discuss your own requirements and
        book a test drive……….you will ENJoy I promise!





















                                                                 & rear disc brakes in place
                                                                 of the standard drums
                                                                 •  High-performance  off-
                                                                 road seats with dual
        The Ford Ranger Raptor is a unique choice for you   hardness cushioning and technical suede finish
        in this market, totally designed and engineered by  with a new interior styling with blue stitching,
        Ford Performance the same team that produced  leather accents and Ceramic trim. Raptor
        the Ford Mustang and GT supercar so it’s built to   steering wheel, with lightweight magnesium gear
        do one thing, which is go as fast as possible off-  paddle shifters plus a new instrument cluster with
        road, but safely. The Raptor is very different from   twin dials (speedo & RPM) and central info screen
        the standard Ranger and it’s not just the case of   •  Six-mode Terrain Management System  thrown around the cab. The whole thing has
        throwing on a body kit and raising the suspension   •  New  FORD  grille  modelled  after  the  F-150   been designed and tested to cope with extended
        to make it look good, and here are a few of the   Raptor with a raised frame-mounted front   periods of off-road driving up to 105mph/160
        performance enhancing features gladly taken   bumper with front LED fog lights with functional   kph. The Terrain management system or TMS as
        from the Parkers review as I did not have time to  air-curtain ducts to reduce air resistance  they call  it offers you  6 settings, normal, sport,
        take the car to bits:                   •  Composite front wing panels to better resist off-  grass/gravel & snow, mud & sand, rock and
        •  Front  and  rear  Fox  Racing  Shox  shock   road damage from flying debris & flared wheel   a Baja mode which  automatically  reduces the
          absorbers                              arches to accommodate extra suspension so a   electronic intervention for faster off-road driving.
        •  Rear  coil  over  spring  conversion  (instead  of   150mm increase in track width   The TMS works in conjunction with the part time
          leaf springs) with new Watts linkage to stabilise   •  Diecast  aluminium  alloy  side  steps,  designed   4-wheel drive system operated by a simple 3
          the suspension movement in extreme off-road   to protect the rear bodywork from flying debris  setting switch located next to the gear shift. Now
          driving and sharpen on-road dynamics  •  New  rear  bumper  with  flush-mounted  sensor   to be honest you may still get thrown about a
        •  Uniquely modified chassis frame for increased   bezels                      little, but the specially designed seat fabric stops
          strength and revised suspension geometry   •  Twin front tow hooks rated to 4,635kg & Twin   you sliding as you would on leather. The seats
          to suit raised ride height with new forged   rear recovery tow hooks rated to 3,863kg, plus   are very comfortable with electric adjustment
          aluminium upper front suspension arms and   an integrated rear tow bar rated to 2,500kg (2.5   so along with all the suspension and chassis
          cast  aluminium  lower  suspension  arms  for   tonnes)                      features they keep you in control and allow you to
          increased suspension travel, replacing heavier   •  Specially  developed  33-inch  BF  Goodrich  all-  keep on carrying speed that would simply shake
          steel items                            terrain tyres with tough sidewalls    most other pickups to death.
        •  Front  brake  callipers  with  20%  larger  pistons   •  New front bash plate made from 2.3mm high-  Finally, I do believe those clever folks at Ford and
                                                 strength steel                        especially the Performance Team have delivered
                                                The front and rear suspension conversion by   a little monster of a truck which is a pleasure and
                                                Ford Performance delivers good cruising comfort   huge fun to drive both off road and around the
                                                on the road in addition to exceptional impact   town. It has all you need from this type of vehicle
                                                performance when being worked to their limit   with of course all the other trimmings like the
                                                at high speeds off road as I experienced myself   Infotainment system, parking sensors/camera
                                                and yes a truly amazing controlled ride, so those   etc and more than enough space and comfort
                                                rain hit tracks home “ No Problem”. Additionally,   inside even for the rear passengers plus a huge
                                                the  new  chassis  using  multiple grades of  steel   load carrying capacity, just the pick-up for you,
                                                maximises the strength including stiffened side   well maybe?
                                                rails and strengthened suspension mounts,
                                                plus protruding shock absorber towers at the
                                                front to cope with the Raptor’s extra width and
                                                suspension travel and there’s also a diff-lock for
                                                any even  trickier low-grip situations.  All in all, I
                                                think the upgraded suspension and chassis are
                                                everything you’d expect, and The Raptor can
                                                manage huge impacts as in sudden bumps
                                                or dips and just keep going without you being
       16  Spanish Insight  November 2019
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