The new Ford Ranger Raptor has finally arrived in South Africa. Of course, as the flagship of the Blue Oval brand’s bakkie line-up, the off-road performance vehicle isn’t exactly cheap. So, we thought it prudent to update our list of the country’s most expensive double-cab bakkies.

Hold onto your wallets, folks: here are the five most expensive pick-ups in the land (on the above published date, of course), each priced well above R750 000...

1. Mercedes-Benz X350d 4Matic Power: R973 188

The flagship V6 version of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class slots in at the very summit of this list, priced from a little under R1-million. The German bakkie develops 190 kW and 550 N.m (the latter between 1 400 and 3 200 r/min) from its 3,0-litre, six-cylinder diesel heart, which Mercedes says is enough for a sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 7,9 seconds, before topping out at 205 km/h. The Progressive trim level comes in at R904 188, while the four-cylinder X250d tops out at R818 341.

2. Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 V6 TDI Extreme 4Motion: R829 200

The Amarok’s “Generation II Evo” turbodiesel engine directs 165 kW and 550 N.m (or 180 kW and 580 N.m on overboost) to all four wheels via the Wolfsburg brand’s eight-speed automatic transmission (SA is still waiting for the more powerful version to arrive). VW says it’ll see off the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8,0 seconds dead. This engine is also available in conjunction with lower trim levels, while the poshest BiTDI 2,0-litre model comes in at a still lofty R744 600.

3. Ford Ranger Raptor 2,0 BiT 10AT 4x4: R786 400

While the two models above both boast V6 engines, Ford’s fresh-faced Ranger Raptor uses a comparatively small 2,0-litre, four-cylinder bi-turbodiesel unit offering 157 kW and 500 N.m. Interestingly, it’s mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. Still, the Raptor features various bespoke under-the-skin items, including a strengthened chassis frame, uprated brakes, high-performance Fox dampers and a new coil-over rear suspension set-up featuring an integrated Watt’s linkage, lending it admirable high-speed off-road talent. The second-most expensive Ranger is the Wildtrak in 4x4 automatic guise, priced at R678 200.

4. Isuzu D-Max 3,0 TD 4x4 LX Arctic Trucks AT35: R785 000

The Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is billed as a “very exclusive new limited-edition flagship” and is based on the D-Max 300 LX 4x4 Auto derivative. It is thus powered by a 3,0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which sends 130 kW and 380 N.m to all four corners via a six-speed automatic transmission. The AT35 gains flared wheelarches (adding some 180 mm to its overall width), while the ride height has been increased by 48 mm. The updated suspension, meanwhile, comes courtesy of the folks over at Fox Performance.

5. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4,5D-4D LX V8: R765 600

A few short years ago, Toyota’s Land Cruiser 79 was easily the most expensive double-cab bakkie in the land, but the arrival of the pair of German V6 models above and, latterly, the off-road versions of the Ranger and D-Max, sees Toyota’s highly capable pick-up pushed down to third. Peak outputs of 151 kW and 430 N.m come from an admittedly thirsty 4,5-litre V8 turbodiesel.

Original article from Car