It exists, but the high-end version of the mid-size truck is coming to the US next season. Some experts doubt the Blue Oval company will add the Raptor edition to the Ranger lineup. But, there are more of those who believe that Ford has to do something about Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Chevy Colorado ZR2 supremacy in the off-road segment. The answer is the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor.
For now, the only Raptor in the US lineup belongs to the legendary F-150. This truck is also going to present an enhanced version, Raptor R, with more than 700 horsepower, as a response to the arrival of the Ram TRX. A mid-size Ranger won’t go so far, and fans think a turbocharged V6 engine with approximately 400 hp would do the job.
Outside the US, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor continues to run using a diesel unit. It is not going to be carried over for the North American edition. But, we could see design solutions and interior boosts. Suspension and damping systems will be revisited, to make the truck go even wilder across any terrain.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Release Date
Ever since the Ranger came back to the United States, enthusiasts believed in two things. First, there will be the Raptor edition of the pickup. And second – that V6 engine must be an alternative. Well, a turbo-four unit is also very capable. But, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor should take everything to another level.
The truck should finally be launched by the end of 2022. After a few years of waiting, fans are finally getting what they wanted. Still, there are no specific details about the pickup, so we must take notes from other news related to this topic. Ranger is not the only vehicle that might get the Raptor version. Spy photos indicate that Bronco SUV is being tested with an off-road ear.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Spy Shots
The best proof of the future release is here. Not too much time ago, fans spotted test mules of the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor. Covers are hiding details, but there are many designer changes compared to the regular edition of the pickup. This means that the launch of the performance truck is close and we can expect it by the end of this year.
Specs
Those who saw test mules confirmed that the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor sounds different. There are no doubts that a V6 is the best choice to enhance the performance. Nevertheless, it is questionable which unit the Blue Oval engineers are going to deploy. The favorite is a 3.0-liter displacement we can find under the hood of the Explorer SUV. With 400 horsepower, it is not a surprise why fans want to see it as the powerplant of the 2023 Ranger Raptor.
Since the pickup was spotted together with Bronco, there are some indications a 2.7-liter V6 could be another choice. Still, the engine needs an enhancement, since it produces 314 hp for the SUV. Or, Ford could make a surprising move and deliver some kind of a powerful hybrid system, like the one Aviator SUV is using with 494 hp.