Ford gets stylish with Ranger Raptor X and FX4

HOT on the heels of launching four new Ranger variants, Ford Australia is back at it with the arrival of the new jazzed-up Ranger Raptor X and the third coming of the lower-spec FX4.

Priced from $79,390 and $59,990 plus on-roads respectively, the new and returning trim levels are aimed squarely at upping the Ranger’s visual prowess both at the top and in the middle of the range with the FX4 once again being based on the XLT.

Flaunting a heap of new styling cues – ‘over the top’ (OTT) stripes, matte black grille, front bumper, door handles, tailgate handle, fender vent, mirror caps, foglight bezels, rear bumper cover, wheel caps and tailgate ‘Ford’ lettering – the Raptor X boasts no mechanical enhancements over the standard Raptor with even the tyres going unchanged.

Further enhancing the look is a new ‘Asphalt Black Matt’ finish for the existing 17-inch alloy wheels and an extended leg sportsbar pinched from the FX4 Max.

The cosmetic enhancements continue within the cabin too with red contrast stitching (instead of blue) along with ‘hydrographic’ and ‘Black Alley’ trim accents.

Due to arrive in local showrooms from July, the Raptor X is powered by the familiar bi-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, hooked up exclusively to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The resulting 157kW/500Nm is put to the ground by a part-time, selectable all-wheel-drive system as per the regular Raptor.

The FX4 meanwhile once again sits between the volume-selling XLT and the new Raptor wannabe FX4 Max both on price and standard equipment levels, featuring plenty of exterior and interior upgrades over the XLT.

Compared to its donor vehicle, the FX4 can be identified by its darkened LED high performance headlights, unique black FX4 mesh grille and 18-inch alloy wheels, FX4-specific flank and tailgate decals, black extended sportsbar, wing mirrors and exterior trim.

Similar tweaks have been made inside the cabin with leather-appointed seats front and rear embossed with FX4 logos and red stitching, soft-touch instrument panel top, ‘Tinted Graphite’ trim accents and FX4-specific floor mats.

Unlike the Raptor X, the FX4 is available with either the bi-turbo 2.0-litre engine or the established 3.2-litre turbo-diesel five-cylinder mill (147kW/470Nm), the latter of which can be paired to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission – just as it can be on the XLT.

Both new variants come with the established array of Ranger 4x4 standard equipment features with the highlights including the SYNC 3 infotainment system with voice-activated sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, a reversing camera and digital instrumentation while active safety features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping aid with lane departure warning and driver alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam.

Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic said the FX4’s return was in response to customer feedback while the Raptor X was designed to “turn heads”.

“This highly regarded member of the Ranger family gives Ranger buyers even more value and choice with a package offering all the capability of the XLT but with its own design elements and features,” he said.

“One of the things that customers always tell us about the Ranger Raptor is how hard you can push it off-road, and yet it’s still so comfortable and easy to drive on-road.

“The styling changes made as part of the Ranger Raptor X will help it to keep turning heads as a stand-out member of the Ford Performance family.”

Ford has sold 9115 Ranger 4x4s so far this year ending March, 763 more than it did over the same period last year, marking an 8.6 per cent sales increase year-on-year.

2021 Ford Ranger FX4 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs

2021 Ford Ranger Raptor pricing*