PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 22 August 2023 – The high-performance 292kW Ford Ranger Raptor was designed and engineered to deliver maximum thrills on- and off-road.

“The Ranger Raptor was designed and engineered by car enthusiasts for car enthusiasts,” said Dave Burn, chief platform engineer, Ranger Raptor. “Inspired by desert racing1, Ranger Raptor demands to be driven.”

This is why Ford fitted it with a customisable Performance Shift Light Indicator3.

Race drivers have used shift lights for decades, signalling the perfect engine speed to change gear to ensure maximum acceleration on or off the bitumen. Ford first installed one on a production vehicle with the Mustang GT350 in 2015.

“Ranger Raptor is, at its heart, a performance truck,” said Burn. “We’ve raced a modified version of the Raptor at Baja1 and now it’s competing at the Tatts Finke Desert Race (9-12 June) and the Performance Shift Indicator is just one in a long line of performance-derived features, like the anti-lag functionality in Baja mode2, or the FOX Shocks with Live Valve technology that feature on Ranger Raptor.”

While most drivers, most of the time, will drive around with Ranger Raptor’s e-Shifter in D for Drive, there are times when you want to take control for yourself. By selecting M for Manual on the e-Shifter, the driver is in total control of when to change gear via the Magnesium-alloy paddle shifters; this could be when driving on a tight and twisting road or when driving for fuel economy.

The Performance Shift Indicator can be enabled to give a visual and audible warning when it’s time to grab the next gear. It can be enabled and customised through the vehicle’s main menu in the 12.4-inch instrument cluster, allowing the driver to alter the Shift Tone and the Shift Point (between 4000–6500rpm).

“The audible warning is particularly useful because it means you don’t have to take your eyes off the road,” said Burn.

“Being able to adjust when Ranger Raptor reminds you to change gear allows you to tailor the truck to suit the terrain and type of driving you’re doing, because there are benefits beyond performance. The Performance Shift Indicator can also be used when driving for fuel economy, encouraging you to change gear sooner,” said Burn.

With the Performance Shift Indicator enabled you’ll notice the tachometer illuminates as the revs increase changing colour as it reaches the chosen shift point.

To activate the Performance Shift Indicator, Press ‘Settings’ and then Select ‘Performance Shift Indicator’, then ‘Enabled’, and then proceed to adjust the ‘Shift Point’ (between 4000–6500rpm) and the ‘Shift Tone’.

Notes:

1 Race-prepared Ranger Raptor competed at the 2022 SCORE-International Baja 1000 finishing atop the stock classes. Race-prepared vehicle not available for sale to the public.

2 Baja mode is intended for off-road use only.

3 Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. May not operate at certain speeds, or in certain driving, road or weather conditions. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.