Suffice to say that when Ford South Africa invited me to “…build a Ranger Raptor” my interest piqued, as this was something totally unique.
A unique concept
After confirming my attendance, I met at the brand’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria where, after a series of safety briefings, videos and the donning of high-visibility jackets, gloves, safety boots and hard hats made to look like regular caps, the media contingent was split into groups and assigned stations along the assembly line which produces the Ranger, Everest and more recently, small batches of the new Raptor Ranger.
The task
As part of my experience and contribution to the manufacturing process, I was placed in charge of installing the bonnet latches. While waiting for the small group of pre-production Ranger Raptors to arrive at my station, I had the opportunity to do the same task on several Ranger and Everest models, some destined for Mexico, Norway, England and South Africa to name a few.
Each region has different specifications, with left and right-hand drive models. This meant that there were four different variations of bolt and clip for me to install, depending on the vehicle in question. It’s quite incredible to see how the plant employees work so efficiently and with such confidence, knowing the exact process behind the highly digitised process.
After completing our work on the Ranger Raptors, we embarked upon a tour of the facility to see how each department plays its part in churning out a new Ranger, Everest or Ranger Raptor every 94 seconds. After seeing how this complex labyrinth of processes combine to create one harmonious whole, we had the privilege of being able to sign one of the very first Ranger Raptors produced.
Tell us about the Ranger Raptor
Due to make its official debut in the first half of 2019, the Ranger Raptor differs from the standard Ranger by virtue of its reinforced chassis and bespoke front and rear suspension, which includes heavy-duty springs, aluminium upper and lower control arms, Position Sensitive Damping FOX Shocks and a multi-link solid rear axle. In addition to the suspension upgrades, the Raptor also features a 150mm wider track, 168mm wider body, larger tyres and around 350 parts that are bespoke.
Powering the Ranger Raptor is an all-new 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel engine that produces 157kW/500Nm and is mated to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. This new engine will also be available in the updated 2019 Ranger and Everest models in addition to the existing 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi as well as the 2.5-litre petrol engine.
Facility upgrades
To accommodate the increased production capacity and prepare for the new model introductions, Ford South Africa has invested almost R3-billion into the facility, which it claims will now be able to produce around 168 000 vehicles a year.
“The Silverton Assembly Plant has been transformed to achieve our highest-ever installed capacity. This required a total rethink and re-engineering of many of our established production processes and operations throughout the plant to improve throughput, efficiencies and ergonomics to reach the projected production targets,” says Ockert Berry, Vice-President of Operations for Ford Middle East and Africa.
“While gearing the plant up for the higher volumes was a key objective, this had to be managed alongside a significant increase in production complexity associated with the unique characteristics of the Ranger Raptor, the introduction of a new engine programme, and extensive product enhancements planned for the 2019 Ranger and Everest”
No information surrounding the pricing of the Ranger Raptor or the specifics of the updated Ranger and Everest were revealed, but these can be expected in the coming months.
