Forget reindeers and chimneys. Kris Kringle’s gone high-tech. Ford Motor Company has just revealed concept sketches for the Ranger Raptor North Edition, a one-off “everyday sleigh” engineered to meet the legendary gift-giver’s unique year-round needs—and it’s as magical as you’d expect.
While there are no plans to put it into production (don’t pout), this collaboration between Ford Design in Australia and the man in red himself is a whimsical blend of holiday spirit and engineering genius.
“It’s no secret the sleigh and reindeer are my brand,” said Kringle during the reveal. “But I was looking for something that worked on the other 364 days of the year. You could say I needed an everyday sleigh.” And an everyday sleigh he got.
Sleigh 2.0 – A Peppermint-Powered Pickup
The Ranger Raptor, already famed for its all-terrain capabilities, was transformed into a sleigh fit for the fastest man on earth. Boasting features like heated hot-chocolate holders, a tailgate barbecue, and an infinity load box big enough for presents for 800 million kids, this is no ordinary truck. What really sets it apart, though, is its ability to fly.
Ford’s Experimental Laboratory Foundation (ELF) reimagined the levitation system from the 1958 Levacar Mach 1 concept, allowing the Ranger Raptor North Edition to effortlessly reach altitudes of 60,000 feet, far above controlled airspace. Pair that with new micro-sized Mistletoe-class rockets powered entirely by candy canes, and the sleigh’s capable of streaking across the skies at an astonishing 4,705,882km/h. That’s almost the speed of light, for those keeping track.
“We started with technology that could lift a car a few centimetres,” said Dr Chad McBoffin, Ford ELF’s chief impossible projects officer. “Then we thought, why not make it fly? Why not make it the fastest thing humans—or elves—have ever seen? And while we’re at it, fuel it with candy canes. Job done.”
Features Worthy of Santa’s Magic
Of course, flight and speed are just the start. The Ranger Raptor North Edition is packed with playful, Santa-ready features designed with Kringle’s lifestyle in mind. Here are some highlights that will make you want to ditch your SUV for this sleigh-meets-supercar hybrid.
- Roof Access, No Doors: Forget traditional doors—chimney access is non-negotiable for Kris. Ford sealed up the existing doors and added a roof port situated directly above the driver’s seat. Santa’s slip-and-slide just got an upgrade.
- Heated Hot-Chocolate Holders: With temperatures maintained at the perfect 58°C, Santa can sip his cocoa while delivering joy. These aren’t just cup holders—they’re Kringle-approved.
- Tailgate Barbecue: When Kringle heads to his holiday retreat in Bonnie Doon, he can fire up the tailgate’s fully integrated, self-cleaning barbeque plate. Sausages and steak by the bay? Even Santa needs to unwind.
- Infinity Load Box: Magic aside, Santa still needs storage. The infinity load box is roomier than Mary Poppins’ bag and ensures gifts for 800 million kids fit in without a hitch, complete with a safety mechanism for any elf who might accidentally fall in.
- Gingerbread-crumb SYNC® Infotainment: Ford’s cutting-edge SYNC® 4A system has received a festive overhaul. Need Kris’s naughty or nice list? It’s locked and loaded. Navigation? Candy cane-powered satellites have you covered.
- Enhanced F-O-R-D Grille: Crafted from the same Unobtanium material as Santa’s original sleigh, the grille ensures the Ranger Raptor doesn’t burst into flames travelling at nearly 100% the speed of light. Handy, really.
Bringing the Magic to Life
The Ranger Raptor North Edition was the brainchild of Kirby Masterman, a designer with Ford Australia, and her global team, which included Ford’s U.S.-based ELF researchers and experts at their North Pole studio. Despite only having ten weeks to pull the project together, the team delivered above and beyond.
“Honestly, it was intense,” Masterman admitted. “But working with Kris and the team at ELF was an unforgettable experience. I’m just hoping I don’t find any more mince pie crumbs in my workspace.”
Even Kris himself seemed thrilled with the results. “I’ve been around for centuries, but this really reinvents the sleigh,” he beamed. “From driving to the fishing hole to delivering presents at Mach speeds, the Ranger Raptor North Edition is everything I wanted and more.”
A Holiday Dream Come True
While we won’t see this candy-cane-fuelled beauty under our trees anytime soon, the Ranger Raptor North Edition reminds us all of the joyous possibilities when innovation and imagination collide.
“From all of us at Ford, we’d like to wish you a happy holidays,” said Max Wolff, Ford’s design director for China and International Markets Group. “And thanks to Kris for trusting us with this project—we’re truly all in the festive spirit now.”
Until then, expect Santa to be zipping across the night sky not just with Dasher and Dancer in tow, but with the ultimate everyday sleigh. Merry Christmas, indeed!