Ford in Full Speed: The Ford Ranger Raptor 2018 Begins Production in Thailand

​As I may have already mentioned before, one of my dream vehicles to own is a Ford truck. I want the same one that Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) owns in the Twighlight Saga. Some may say that trucks are just compatible with big boys, but I totally disagree. Much like Bella, it gives quite an impression if driven by ladies.

On the other hand, as I speak about a super old Ford pickup, I suddenly remembered that there’s a new Ford truck in town that was launched in the first quarter of 2018. Now, it just started its production in the Land of Smiles, Thailand. It is the Ford Ranger Raptor 2018.

If the name itself suggests fierceness, what more is its actual appearance and features. Now that it is already in production, I pretty sure all Ford lovers and other car enthusiasts would be very excited and at the same time intrigued to know more about what this new Ford Ranger line can offer its potential buyers.

Before this ferocious beast becomes available in the showroom, let’s take a look at what we should be looking out for.

Too curious and too excited for the Ford Ranger Raptor 2018 to come out? Try to suppress yourself first and be content with these attractive details that can surely give you more to be excited about. According to the lastest car news, so far as the Ford Ranger Raptor release in Australia and Thailand, it came out in five different colors, namely Frozen White, Conquer Grey, Lightning Blue, Shadow Black and Race Red.

Standard colors would be Frozen White and Race Red. However, if you like to have the other three namely, Conquer Grey, Lightning Blue and Shadow Black, you can request for these optional prestige paints for additional cost.

These are the five color range of Ford Ranger Raptor 2018

The exterior also sports 17” black alloy wheels covered with 33” BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A® KO2 Tyres (285/70 R17)

As for the door handles, they come as standard Dyno Grey. Meanwhile exterior mirrors are black in color and are power adjustable, power folding, heated and equipped with turn indicators and puddle lamps.

It also sports front and rear mud flaps, Dyno Grey front bumper – chassis mounted, heavy duty front bash plate and underbody shielding. It also wears a grille and rear bumper that have a unique Raptor design. It also has heavy duty side steps.

Lights-wise, the exterior comes adorned with HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lamps. Besides, some noticeable features are also included like Front and Rear Recovery Hooks, Strengthened Chassis Frame, Tailgate Handle – Black, Tailgate Lock – Power, Tailgate with Lift Assistance, Tow Bar, Bedliner with 12V Socket S, Bedliner with 12V Socket S, Bedliner with 12V Socket S, Inner Tie Downs S and Load Box Illumination.

The exterior comes adorned with HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lamps

Stepping inside, the Ford Ranger Raptor 2018 includes 8-way power driver seat adjustment with lumbar support, front sports & heated seats and leather and suede accented seats. It also has 2 Child Seat Upper Anchorage Points. It also boasts the Sync 3 + Apple Carplay and Android Auto​ system which allows you to access some apps on your mobile phone through touch screen, steering wheel controls and Siri.

Once you’re connected, you’ll be able to make hands-free voice calls, listen and reply to your messages, play music and podcasts. This feature will also help you with your navigation by getting detailed road directions, traffic conditions and approximate travel time during your journey – all through the Apple Maps app.

The Raptor interior is equipped with a series of advanced features

Android Auto on the other hand, pretty much functions the same – it’s like Google Home on the road. You will need to start the command with “Ok, Google…” followed by what you would like to do. For example, if you say, “Ok, Google please play a song from the Foo Fighters.” Android Auto should be looking for Foo Fighters’ songs or playlist and play it accordingly.

Make sure that you have downloaded the apps necessary to run these functions, and also, ask your dealership if your mobile phones are compatible with these features to make them work. Please take note that you have to have enough mobile data to make most out of these functionalities.

There are also other interior features that can provide comfort and convenience not only for the driver but also to its passengers like 2 Front Auxillary 12V Power Outlets, 230V Inverter in Rear Console, Rear Auxillary 12V Power Outlet, Carpet Floor Coverings, Leather Wrapped Gear Shifter & Handbrake, Smart Keyless Entry with Push Button Start and Unique ‘Raptor’ front and rear floor mats.

The Ford Ranger Raptor 2018 engine is a 4-cylinder, 2Liter diesel with twin turbo that exudes 157kW at 3750rpm and maximum torque of 500Nm at 1750-2000rpm. It also manages its fuel system through turbocharged direct common rail injection.

Suspension wise, it sports an Independent MacPherson struts, featuring FOX® 2.5" Internal Bypass shocks with Position Sensitive Damping for front suspension and Watts Link coil-spring rear suspension, featuring FOX® 2.5" Internal Bypass shocks with Position Sensitive Damping for the rear. Brakes are comprised of 332x32 vented discs for the front and 332x24 at the back.

The Ranger Raptor takes safety as seriously as any other vehicles should, providing all safety features needed by its passengers such as 3 Point Lap Sash Seat Belt for all positions, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) incorporating ABS, Adjustable Speed Limiter, Engine Auto Start-Stop System, Volumetric Alarm with Battery Backup System, Driver and front passenger Beltminder™, eLocking Rear Differential, etc.

These features are all available for the Ford Ranger Raptor 2018 that was recently launched in Thailand. If these features can’t cause you so much excitement, what more are you looking for?

The Ranger Raptor 2018 engine is a 4-cylinder, 2Liter diesel with twin turbo

Last but not least, good news is that the PH-spec Ford Ranger Raptor 2018 is predicted to be cheaper than Thai counterpart thanks to the TRAIN tax reform law in our country. Wait for what? Just bump your wallet and prepare to drive home this excellent pickup truck!

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Update: Read through our overview of the Australian-spec Raptor to have an idea of what the upcoming Ranger Raptor Philippines has to offer!