Last Wednesday we attended the launch and much anticipated unveiling of the 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor at Invercargill Brewery hosted by Macaulay Ford and the managing director of Ford New Zealand, Simon Rutherford.

The launch event was an exclusive opportunity to reveal the new Raptor to the 110-plus guests, some of whom had already ordered one sight unseen.

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The Ranger Raptor is the only performance truck in the New Zealand market and hails from Ford’s performance stables which include iconic models such as the Mustang, RS Focus and Ford GT.

While the Ranger Raptor is no doubt a head turner from the outside, it’s what’s under the body that makes this model so unique.

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The Macaulay Ford team told us that the combination of technology and high-performance off-road design allows the Ranger Raptor to deliver unmatched driving dynamics and the bi-turbo diesel engine, 10-speed transmission along with the terrain management system make this a vehicle that needs to be driven to be believed.

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Quoting Damien Ross, chief programme engineer for Ranger Raptor “the suspension absorbs everything and it’s an incredibly comfortable and relaxing place to be for everyday driving”. Ross goes on to say “you can’t help but smile, because you are sitting in a very plush truck that can turn into a high-speed, terrain-eating beast whenever you feel the need. It’s a fantastic combination”.

Dealer principal of Macaulay Ford, Tim Rabbitte confirmed a demonstrator model was due to arrive at the dealership in the next week and would be available for booked test drives at either their Invercargill or Queenstown branches.

Raptor is part of the performance family of vehicles from Ford including the Mustang, now back to the Raptor.

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Check out the specifications:

Ranger Raptor does more than incorporate the latest Ford powertrain technology. It sets a new standard of performance. A cutting-edge bi-turbo engine has been carefully calibrated with Ford’s latest 10-speed auto transmission technology to deliver more top-end power, more bottom-end torque, improved acceleration, and quicker gear changes.
A cutting-edge Terrain Management System offers six pre-set driving modes to conquer virtually any terrain, at the turn of a dial. Inspired by after the Baja 1000 Desert Race, the highly anticipated Baja Mode dials down traction, improves responsiveness and shifting speed, and optimises Ranger Raptor for high-speed desert running.
No other production truck in New Zealand features the legendary FOX Racing Shox as standard equipment. With the learnings from Ford’s F-150 Raptor, the Ranger Raptor’s race-bred suspension has been specifically crafted to tackle the toughest terrains, smoothing out jumps, bumps and ruts.

Raptor is available now for a test drive and pre order from Macauley Motors, 270 Dee Street, Phone: 03 2111 222 or 142 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown phone: 03 442 3914
Web: macauleymotors.co.nz

2019 Ford Ranger Raptor Unveiled

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