This was obviously not a normal week. Not a whole lot of manufacturers were doing news releases for the second half of the week for reasons we’re all painfully aware of by now. But there were a few stories that weren’t depressing as hell and are still worth covering. Let’s jump in.
Ford Ranger Raptor
International markets (as in, everyone but North America) are nearing the launch of the next-generation Ford Ranger. It appears to be a substantial overhaul of an aging platform that’s been around in some form since 2011. With modern Ford truck styling cues and some inspiration taken from the Maverick inside, it should be a major improvement over what we have now. Another part of the Ranger that’s getting a massive upgrade is the Raptor version.
And shortly after its global debut, Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed both versions of the new Ranger would launch in North America next year. So there’s our excuse to care about it.
This new Ranger Raptor follows the same formula that’s made the Raptor family extremely popular over the years. It’s got a plethora of off road upgrades and an appropriate design attitude to go with it. It features unique chassis upgrades with a series of mounts and reinforcements all throughout the truck to ensure it can take a proper beating. Its suspension is completely redesigned with tough, lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms, long travel front and rear suspension, and a refined Watt’s link rear end for more control across rough terrain at speed. These upgrades help the Raptor to make the most of its next-generation FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers. These are adjustable and linked to the Raptor’s selectable drive modes. Ford used this adjustability to provide bottom-out protection (where it can provide maximum damping force in the last 25% of shock travel) and reduce squat under hard acceleration.
And it will be accelerating hard because the Ranger Raptor finally has some proper power. The last-gen truck had to make due with a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel with specs that weren’t hugely impressive. This new one features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with an impressive 392 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. For those keeping track, that’s way more power and torque than the 5.4L V8 that the original Raptors came with and very close to what was offered by the upgraded 6.2L V8s later on. That sort of power in a Ranger is going to be insane. Those who want all the torque can still opt for a BiTurbo 2.0L diesel, though specs on that haven’t been released yet.
The Ranger Raptor will have two 17″ wheel designs to choose from, one with beadlock capability. Each will be wrapped in BFGoodrich KO2 tires for extreme off road performance. To help clear space for that much rubber, the fenders are flared. Its Raptor-ness is further cemented by functional vents, aero features, cast aluminum side steps, and redesigned bumpers front and rear to aid the truck’s departure and approach angles.
Pricing and launch date info is not available yet. I’d imagine we’ll be seeing more info about the US versions of both Rangers later this year. They’ll take reservations and then maybe deliver your truck in two years.
[Source: Ford]
Morgan Super 3
It’s not often that we get to talk about something new from Morgan. This time it’s a successor to the beloved and extraordinarily weird Morgan 3 Wheeler. It’s called the Super 3 and it’s a totally new car from the ground up. It’s the latest in a very long line of three-wheeled Morgan vehicles with a history spanning 113 years.
The Super 3 is the first in company history to be built on a true monocoque platform. Bonded aluminum with stressed exterior “A-surfaces” provides a lighter and more rigid chassis while also maximizing cabin space. Another benefit is that it now matches the same crash safety regulations as their four-wheeled cars. This more advanced construction ties into the inspiration designers had for the Super 3.
In contrast to the 3 Wheeler which was an homage to the V-twin-engined cars of the 1920s, the Super 3 is inspired by the jet age of the mid-to-late century, “in which there was a logical relationship between function and form, as the horizons of imagination were broadened”. One quick glance at the overall shape is enough to make the connection. There are loads of finer details as well that make it a stunning piece of automotive design.
Their choice of power is a 1.5-liter NA three-cylinder gas engine supplied by Ford. Morgan first used a Ford engine in 1933, so the two companies already have some history together. This motor produces 118 bhp at 6,500 RPM which is more than enough for a car with a dry weight of just 1,400 lbs. With a five-speed manual from an MX-5 sending power to the rear wheels, it can hit 0-62 mph in 7 seconds flat, which must feel ridiculous in a car like that.
The Super 3 is available to order now from Morgan dealers in the UK, Europe, America, and other select countries. UK and EU customers get theirs first, followed by America, Japan, Australia, and wherever else they sell them to later this year. UK pricing for the Super 3 starts at £41,995. You can play around with the configurator on their website. The level of customization is pretty insane. You can personalize nearly every aspect of it all the way down to having a custom callsign for the driver and copilot. That’s a feature I’d use well.
[Source: Morgan]
DeLorean might be coming back
A new DeLorean EV is allegedly debuting at Pebble Beach this year, if you feel like putting your faith in a venture that Jalopnik has raised some concerns about. Assuming it’s not a load of crap, the new EV is a “spiritual successor” of the DMC-12 from a company that calls themselves DeLorean Motors Reimagined. It’ll have its signature gull-wing doors and some sort of futuristic, low-slung shape to it. If they want to go for ultra realism, they’d also make it slow as hell and sell some drugs behind the scenes.
We’ll bring you more as we get it.
What’s your automotive news?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
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