Ford is expected to bring in a limited number of its extreme Ranger Raptor pick-up to India. The Ranger is essentially a pickup version of the Ford Endeavour SUV. However, the Raptor is a specifically engineered high performance version of the regular Ranger, providing extreme capability of high speed over rough terrain.

The Ford Ranger Raptor with its combination of off-road skills, load-carrying capacity and unique Baja race-truck-like ability to monster bad roads at speed, certainly an enthusiastic-only kind of vehicle. With such unique performance oriented vehicles, Ford is keen on showcasing it’s unique engineering prowess and identity.

 The ladder frame chassis of the Ranger Raptor has been seriously strengthened to take the extra beating, the front suspension towers have been beefed up to take the extra load and at the rear, the load bearing leaf springs have been replaced by an Endeavour-like Watt’s linkage to provide greater directional stability. The Ranger Raptor also gets purpose-built 2.5 inch (diameter) off-road racing coil overs from race truck specialist, Fox. As a result, the Ranger gets 30 percent more wheel travel, and the ability to fly over rough roads at speed that would shake other SUVs to bits.  

The Ranger Raptor boasts of 283mm ground clearance. It gets 800mm of water-wading depth, and the massive 285mm tyres offer huge traction. While the engine is similar to the one that powers the Endeavour, the Raptor gets twin turbos, boosting the power to 213hp and the torque to 500Nm. The transmission though will remain the same 10-speed automatic gearbox seen on the Endeavour. The four-wheel-drive system will have six modes, including grass, gravel, snow and rock climbing modes. The truck will also have a Baja mode, which reduces chassis interventions for maximum attack over rough terrain. 

The Ranger Raptor features chunky bodywork extensions to match the wider track, the famous black Raptor grill and massive bash plates. The Raptor, just like the Endeavour will come as standard with ESP, rollover mitigation, Hydraulic brake assist, Hill Launch Assist and Hill descent control. 

The Ranger Raptor will be imported by Ford under the 2,500-unit homologation-free route. The Ranger Raptor is likely to be launched in the country by the second-half of 2021. However, this extreme pickup truck will be priced around or above Rs.70L. If you are a serious off road enthusiast and have a load of cash, then the Ranger Raptor is a good reason to get excited for you.

Stay tuned for further updates.

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Based on the XT variant, this new XT+ variant offers a massive Panoramic Electric sunroof in addition to the standard features. This panoramic sunroof is claimed to be best in class with anti pinch, global closure and rain sense closure features similar to that of the top spec XZ+ variant.

Other than this feature, the XT+ will carry forward the same specifications as on the XT variant. Standard features will include:

• Projector headlamps with LED DRLs

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Rear wiper and defogger

• 17” Alloy wheels

• Automatic climate control

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Cruise control

• 7” Touchscreen system

• Android auto & Apple carplay

• Harman audio system with 8 speakers

• Reverse camera

• 6 way
  

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  adjustable driver seat with lumbar support

• Rear centre armrest

• Smart key with Push button start

• Follow me headlamps

Safety:

Standard safety features on the Harrier BS6 include:

• ABS with EBD

• Corner stability control

• Dual airbags

• Electronic stability program

• Traction control

• Hill hold control

• Roll over mitigation

• Electronic brake prefill

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Brake disc wiping

• Perimetric alarm system

• Pretensioner seatbelts

Powertrain:

The New Harrier XT+ variant, just like all variants of the Harrier will be available with a diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. The 6 speed automatic gearbox will be available only with the XMA, XZA & the XZA+ variants. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Harrier is available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport.

Launch & price:

The new Harrier XT+ variant is priced at RS 16.99L ex-showroom. Priced at around RS 50,000 more than the standard XT variant, this new variant could effectively compete against the similarly priced and equipped Hyundai Creta while offering better value for money and attracting buyers preferring a panoramic sunroof.

   Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) have now revealed the crash test results of three more best selling cars, under its Safer Cars for India initiative. The entry-level variant of each was chosen for the crash test.

    Global NCAP crash tests cars at a speed of 64kmph, which is 8kmph higher than the stipulated test speed under Indian safety norms. The Indian safety norms were upgraded in October 2019, and is now at par with, and ahead in some areas, in terms of safety norms, compared to markets like USA and Brazil.

All

November 2020 crash tests:

• Maruti Suzuki S-presso  : Adult : 0 stars.  Child :  2 stars

• Hyundai Grand i10 Nios : Adult : 2 stars.  Child : 2 stars

• Kia Seltos                          : Adult : 3 stars.  Child : 2 stars

Maruti Suzuki S-presso:

The S-Presso got an appalling zero star for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The S-Presso offers only driver airbag as standard. The body structure was rated as unstable along with the footwell area. Child occupant protection was poor with the poor performance of the restraint systems. The S-presso does not offer 3-point belts in all positions as standard and has no ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems (CRS).

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios:

The Grand i10 Nios achieved a disappointing two stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The Grand i10 Nios offers dual airbags and pretensioner equipped seatbelts for front passengers as standard. Its structure and the footwell area were rated as unstable. 

Child occupant protection showed poor results due to the absence of ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems. The Grand i10 Nios does not offer standard 3-point belts in all seating positions and does not offer standard ISOFIX anchorages.

Kia Seltos:

The Biggest disappointment is that the best selling Kia Seltos Crossover SUV achieved only three stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The Seltos offers dual front airbags and pretensioner seatbelts as standard. Its structure was rated as a borderline case unstable and the footwell area too was rated as unstable. Child occupant protection showed poor results mainly because of the absence of ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems. The car does not offer standard 3 point belts in all seating positions and has no ISOFIX anchorages standard.

The USA and Australian spec Kia Seltos had scored a full 5 star rating at the USNCAP and ANCAP tests respectively.

Domestic Manufacturers such as Tata Motors and Mahindra secured a full five-star rating for models including the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon while the Mahindra Marazzo, Tata Tiago and Tata Tigor scored four-star ratings earlier this year.

These stark contrasts show the double standards of global manufacturers of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Kia towards Indian consumers.

We recommend consumers to choose safer cars and drive safe.

Airbags are not a substitute for seatbelts, passengers must always wear seatbelts.