Although restricted to an on-road test session with the Raptor, the torrential rain experienced provided challenges of its own. While the (Veloci)Raptor is powered by 210bhp version of Ford’s ubiquitous 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, it is the mountain of torque (368lbs ft) that is accessible from little more than engine idle speed that underscores its workhorse potential.
Bear in mind that this vehicle tips the scales at a ginormous 2.5-tonnes and that its towing capacity is an equally impressive 2.5-tonnes on a braked trailer and you start to receive the message. Firstly, it is not to be toyed with in adverse conditions, despite the ‘fun’ that arises from its driven rear axle pushing it into lurid, if low-speed, oversteering slides around roundabouts. Secondly, its all-terrain tyres are intended for mud-plugging but not water-clearing.
In virtually all respects, the Raptor is a designed-for-purpose off-roader. However, it has a softer side. Its suede trimmed seats and leather and suedette door panels add to its comfort and convenience features. The rally-style, hide-wrapped steering wheel is connected to power steering that possesses pleasant weighting and provides decent feedback to the driver’s fingers. Yet, seek full lock for parking and manoeuvring purposes, and the reminders that the chunky tyres and transmission do not like to be ‘hurried’ become abundant, evinced by ‘graunching’ noises at both ends of the vehicle.
Having determined that 4H was a safer setting for the conditions than 2H on the six-mode selectable drive controller, delving into Raptor’s performance potential was raucous but not as thrilling as I had anticipated. Although moderately swift, turning in a 9.7s time for the benchmark 0-60mph sprint, its top speed is just 106mph, accompanied by copious tyre tread-induced road noise. However, there is also a ‘piped-in’ engine sound that is surprisingly grunty and smile-inducing. The ten-speed automatic gearbox is a delight, shifting seamlessly up and down the gears, with only the red needle of the rev-counter providing any clues.
Of course a vehicle such as this is never going to win friends from the eco-brigade, even though its 31.7mpg fuel economy figure is not tragic, while the 233g/km CO2 rating, allied to its list price, is hardly going to make Raptor cost-effective to re-tax every year. Crack open the bedliner protected rear deck, covered by the sliding roller shutter, and more of this truck’s purpose is revealed.
Its long equipment list, with power sockets, rear-view camera, a banging stereo system, excellent bi-Xenon headlamps, tow-hitch and all electrics, powered door mirrors and puddle lamps, plus the full suite of driver safety and semi-autonomous features support its price tag and ensure that all the black trim looks as butch and purposeful as any vehicle in this class needs to be. To be honest, it is a bit OTT but that is also where its allure lies and, while it will never be a major volume model, once spotted, you will not forget it.
