Raptor for fun, not work
The Ford Ranger Raptor is not the truck you buy for heavy work; payload and towing capacity are significantly less than a standard Ranger or any other working-clothes ute. But that's not the point.
It scored 89% for overall safety, one of the highest scores recorded by Euro NCAP for any type of vehicle. And it was best by Euro NCAP for pedestrian protection (81%).
Says Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive, Ford of Europe, "If the worst were to happen, the new Ranger would protect passengers of all ages and pedestrians."
Euro NCAP (set up 1997) is the largest and most respected independent authority on crash testing in Europe, Ford says.
Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP secretary general, said: "With such good pedestrian protection, the Ford Ranger is raising the bar of safety in the category of pickup trucks, which had until now not proven to be the safest."
The Ranger's passenger cell uses high-strength steel throughout. Load paths in the front, side, and rear direct crash forces away from passengers. This, and a new ladder frame, manage the crash energy in a variety of impacts.
Computer modelling enabled engineers to do 9000 virtual crash tests before any of the 110 actual vehicle crash tests or 410 system sled tests were done.
Ford beat its own record for the number of crash tests, says Adam Frost, chief engineer, Digital Innovation, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.
Side curtain airbags, standard on all Ranger cab styles in Europe for the first time, pop out of the headliner to protect passengers during side impact. The curtain protects both rows of occupants in double cab and super cab models by covering the upper side structure and glass from the A-pillar to the rear of the passenger compartment.
New side airbags also deploy from the side bolster of the front seats to protect the thorax from side-impact forces, working in tandem with the front airbags for the driver and front passenger. A driver's knee airbag is also standard across all models.
Three-point safety belts are fitted to all seats, with pre-tensioners and load limiters for the front seats.
Ford BeltMinder technology reminds front-seat occupants to wear their belts.
Pedestrian-friendly vehicle designs include a 'hexageneous' under-bonnet structure to reduce the potential for pedestrian head injuries, and a front bumper made of energy-absorbing materials.
Active safety and driver assistance help avoid accidents. Electronic stability uses sensors to monitor the vehicle's behaviour and assist stability and control. And trailer sway control monitors the behaviour of the vehicle and trailer so if trailer sway begins, braking countermeasures reduce its effects. Adaptive load control helps stabilise heavy payloads.
Downhill, hill descent control ensures the brakes will be applied to control the vehicle at a set speed. Or when stopping on a steep grade, hill launch assist helps the driver pull away without creeping backwards, even when fully laden.
