Ford Ranger gets Roush upgrade in the US market

KUALA LUMPUR: Ford is known for off-road worthy performance trucks with utmost perfection, and the Ranger Raptor is one such vehicle that proves this statement. On the Malaysian shores, the automaker launched the upgraded 2020 Ranger Raptor in April this year, which houses additional first-in-class advanced driver-assist features. But, Ford does not sell the Raptor variant of Ford Ranger in the American market, and thus Roush Performance, the longtime Ford tuner, has stepped up to fill that gap.

Assumed as a real alternative to Ford's Raptor, the Roush Ranger comes with a number of design and suspension upgrades, which make it even more capable off the road.

In terms of performance, the Roush Ford Ranger is equipped with a Fox 2.0 Performance Suspension System that levels the pickup truck and improves its on-road performance and off-road capability. It also gets a pair of custom 18-inch satin black Roush wheels wrapped in 32-inch General Grabber AT/X tyres. 

The modified Ranger gets the same turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine producing 273 PS of maximum power and 420 Nm of torque, but it now has a dual-tip cat-back exhaust system with stainless steel tips that give it a little more sound. In contrast, the Malaysian-spec Ford Ranger Raptor comes with a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel mill churning out 213 PS and 500 Nm.

Coming to the visual upgrades, the pickup features a Roush front grille with dual LED lamps, bespoke red tow hooks, fender vent badges, and Roush "R" puddle lamps. For exterior colour, Roush offers seven options to the customers, and for exterior graphic packages, there are three choices. Other exterior optional bits are a Roush chase rack with dual 10-inch light bars, retractable aluminium bed cover with bed cargo manager, and an off-road utility kit. 

Inside the cabin, Roush Ranger shines in premium leather seats with quilted stitching and "ROUSH" embroidery in the headrests, floor liners by WeatherTech, and optional centre console and rear seat vaults for storing valuable belongings.

With Roush standard upgrades, the Ford Ranger price starts at $36,860 (RM 153,554).

Also read: Ford Bronco Raptor is coming in 2023, says a Linkedin account