Ford’s Ranger is already one of the most popular pick-ups currently on the market.

The company managed to sell over 13,000 of these off-terrain vehicles in the first part of 2019 alone which is up 15 per cent on the previous year.

Now the Ranger is getting some extra muscle with customers in the UK soon having the chance to buy the ultimate performance model called the Raptor.

This pick-up will go on sale later in the year and offers all the off-road capabilities of the Ranger but with some serious performance added into the mix.

Powered by a Bi-turbo version of Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine it delivers 213PS and 500Nm of torque.

That power means this mighty vehicle can race from 0-62 in just over 10 seconds and carry on a top speed of around 106mph.

As well as being fast, the Raptor has also been built to withstand the toughest of environments with it featuring a reinforced chassis and low-alloy steels which should help it survive some serious off-road punishment.

Underbody protection will also help deflect any obstacles and the new bash plate is now made from 2.3mm high strength steel.

Ford is also boasting that the suspension has been crafted to tackle tricky conditions when driving at speed and FOX shock absorbers with Position Sensitive Damping provide higher damping forces at extremes for unparalleled off-road capabilities.

Even the tyres have been specially developed with a toughened side-wall offering extra protection from the elements plus a unique tread pattern helps drivers cope with all conditions such as rain, sand and snow.

Ford has also upgraded the brakes on the Raptor which help brings this heavy machine to a pretty instant stop.

When getting behind the wheel, drivers will have six modes to choose from which include a Normal mode for comfort and a Sport mode for when you want more performance from that 2.0-litre engine.

When heading off-road there’s all the usual mud, rock and sand settings but Ford has added something called Baja Mode which tunes the driving style to offer ultimate performance when driving in tough terrain.

This mode is in reference to the Baja 1000; a gruelling endurance rally through Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and one of the most prestigious off-road events in the world.

Although things are rugged on the outside, step inside and you’ll be treated to a refined experience with premium leather and suede seats offering plenty of comfort.

There’s also all the usual modern technology including an eight-inch touchscreen with Sat Nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SYNC AppLink for app voice activation.

The Raptor even features a clever ‘breadcrumb’ mode which leaves a digital trail for when you are exploring uncharted areas.

“The standout experience of the Ranger Raptor, hands down, is how far you can push it off-road and still ride like a millionaire on-road,” said Damien Ross, chief program engineer, Ranger Raptor, Ford Motor Company.

“Everything about the Ranger Raptor builds on the already outstanding sophisticated feel and functional capability of the Ranger, and then goes further. From a driving dynamic fun standpoint, it is really an exceptionally special vehicle.”

The Ranger Raptor will begin reaching customers in mid-2019 with prices starting from £48,795.

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