February 21st 2022
Around a month earlier, the American automaker Ford unveiled the Bronco Raptor off-road-focused SUV and now the company is all set to bring another Raptor model. We are talking about the Ranger Raptor, which will again be a beefier version of the freshly revealed Ranger truck. Later, the Blue Oval will introduce the Raptor R for the F-150 truck as well.
Engine
The new 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor will abandon the twin-turbo diesel mill of its previous model and add a new petrol powerplant. The new engine will have EcoBoost V6 instead of a four-banger. We believe the 2.0 diesel will be replaced allegedly by 3.0 litres with more horsepower than the oil-burner.
While the previous twin-turbo diesel was offering 210 hp, we are expecting more than 300 hp from the new gasoline mill. We are making this guess considering the Explorer ST delivers 400 hp and the Bronco Raptor goes beyond that.
Regarding the torque, the turbo-diesel generates 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) whereas the petrol engine in the Explorer ST creates 415 lb-ft (562 Nm). Another assumption in the powertrain column is a 10-speed automatic transmission that we find in the Bronco Raptor.
Other Changes
The new Ranger Raptor will not come with just engine upgrades. The Raptor always means more of everything. Expect the engineers to stiffen the suspension, increase the ride height, and install hefty all-terrain tyres to improve its off-road attributes.
We will also see a big “Ford” print on the grille, the same we find on the F-150 Raptor to make it stand out from the rest of the lineup.
Price
Since the American automaker didn’t reveal full information of all variants in the Ranger lineup, we cannot predict much about the Raptor. Rumours are rife the Ranger Raptor will be accessible in the U.S. at a starting price of $52,500. It may or may not include the $1,295 destination fee. If this information is true, the Ranger Raptor will undercut the bigger F-150 Raptor by around $16,000.
Availability
Astonishingly, Ford unveiled the earlier Ranger Raptor after seven years of the truck’s launch in the worldwide markets; we might not have to wait too much this time around. We came to know that Ford would start development at its Michigan facility in May next year. However, it is still unclear if the Raptor will hit assembly lines from day one or have to wait for its production.
If you want to know answers to all the rumors and assumptions, check the debut of the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor today at 2:00 AM EST / 7 AM GMT. Watch the Livestream here!
Source and Images: Motor1