- Ford presents a Ranger Raptor statement piece, a robot and a racing car designed for video games.
- The new all-electric SuperVan will also debut at the UK's 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- The new Ranger Raptor arrives in South Africa in 2023. It's packing a turbopetrol V6.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
As part of Ford's future-focussed and connected line-up of products on show at the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed near Chichester, UK, the all-new Ford Pro Electric SuperVan – the company's first all-electric commercial van – will be revealed for the first time. The next-generation Ranger Raptor will also make its dynamic European debut.
The all-new Ranger Raptor, however, will appear for the first time in pride-inspired 'Very Gay Raptor' colours to support the LGBTQI+ community. Taking on the challenging off-road track between hillclimb runs, the ultimate performance pick-up is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 212kW and 491Nm.
Revealed for the first time in a dramatic stunt video earlier this year, the second-generation Ranger Raptor delivers enhanced on- and off-road capability with features including FOX Live Valve shock absorbers with position-sensitive damping, as well as seven selectable drive modes for handling terrain from road to rock crawl. Moreover, it's the most connected Ranger, offering advanced connectivity enabled by Ford's new-generation SYNC 4 system, supported by a 12-inch centre touchscreen.
"Very Gay Raptor" for Tough Talks
In addition to tackling the Goodwood off-road track and hillclimb, the Ranger Raptor will also help Ford continue to tackle discrimination, supporting a live session of the company's new "Tough Talks" series.
The conversation – to discuss how the automotive industry can foster a culture of inclusion and allyship for the LGBTQI+ community – will be hosted by Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas, the first openly-gay professional rugby union player.
Ford introduced the original "Very Gay Raptor" in 2021 after Ford instinctively used its voice and its toughest nameplate to stand against online discrimination and show allyship with the LGBTQI+ community following a derogatory comment on a social media post.
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The rendering of a Ford Ranger Raptor in sparkling gold adorned with rainbow graphics and a pink heart on the rear received such a positive social media response that Ford made two real-life "Very Gay Raptors" in the UK and Germany.
Ford will also use the Goodwood festival to demo advanced robotics and autonomous technologies that can help integrate with Ford Pro products and services to make warehousing and delivery more efficient and affordable for commercial vehicle customers. The company is showing the Digit robot – developed by Agility Robotics – at the event's Future Lab.
In 2020 Ford became the first customer to purchase a Digit robot, which has arms and legs to work alongside people in human spaces, to explore applications including indoor or first-mile logistics and last-15-metre delivery. Ford is also researching how Digit robots can communicate with connected Ford Pro vehicles for optimised efficiency.
For the sim racing fanatics
To celebrate its gaming debut in GRID Legends from June 23 2022, a full-scale version of Team Fordzilla's TFZ-P1 racer will be present at the Go Electric stand at Goodwood, featuring a new, specially designed in-game livery. Visitors will get the chance to sit in the TFZ-P1 cockpit, where they can utilise its simulator abilities and experience both the physical and virtual vehicle at the same time.
First revealed at Gamescom 2020, the TFZ-P1 was the first virtual racing car designed in collaboration between the gaming community and designers from an automaker. Team FordZilla – Ford's esports racing team – unveiled a full-scale prototype of the vehicle three months later. The TFZ-P1 is available in-game as free downloadable content (DLC) and features in the GRID Legends Trackday Hypercars class.
You can watch live streaming of the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed right here on Wheels24:
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