Next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor is Coming to America, Report Says

Published on July 7, 2020 in News by Guillaume Rivard

It’s not the first time that we’re hearing about the Ford Ranger Raptor possibly coming to North America. The automaker trademarked the name in the U.S. back in 2018 and many enthusiasts have expressed their desire for this fearsome midsize pickup, which is available in other markets such as Australia but not here.

After all, Chevrolet has the Colorado ZR2 and Jeep now sells the Gladiator Rubicon. Let’s not forget the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Ford’s FX4 off-road package for the Ranger is not quite on the same level.

However, there’s growing chatter and increasingly credible reports that suggest the next-generation Ranger Raptor will be a global vehicle sold in the U.S. and Canada, as well.

CarExpert has obtained from reliable sources the screenshot of a document that seems to indicate a Ranger Raptor equipped with a second-generation 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 (codename “Nano”) for the North American market.

Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive system, the engine would be shared with the upcoming Ford Bronco and generate 325 horsepower along with 400 pound-feet of torque. For comparison, the standard Ford Ranger sold here uses a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder rated at 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet.

In Australia and Asia, the model will offer a selection of four- and six-cylinder turbo-diesel engines.

The same website claims the new Ranger Raptor will receive many advanced features including the latest-generation Fox Racing shocks with live valve technology for adaptive damping.

If it does land in North America, that will be as a 2022 model at the earliest. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.