New Ford Ranger Raptor coming soon

Another day, another Ford Ranger Raptor render. 

Indeed, until the worldwide premiere of the new-generation Ranger Raptor officially exposes the battle-ready dual-cab 4x4 ute next month, these fresh speculative images are as good as it gets. 

Based on the latest Raptor spy photos and the premium Wildtrak version of the all-new Ford Ranger revealed last November, these unofficial 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor renders come from Russian digital artist Nikita Chucko.

Resulting in more stage presence than Mick Jagger, they show a wider, taller and tougher take on the Australian-developed ‘T6.2’ Ranger, once again courtesy of bulging rear haunches wrapped around a wider rear wheel track and broader overall footprint amplified by chunky all-terrain tyres. 

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Like other premium versions of the new-generation Ranger, Ford’s next homegrown Raptor will feature C-shaped LED driving lights but should also get a tougher front-end design with bold ‘FORD’ lettering across the grille above a separate lower air-intake, plus recovery hooks punctuating the prominent front bash plate. 

Along with the extra battle armour up front, the Raptor’s rear-end gets LED tail-lights similar to models like the Ranger Wilktrak, plus a few Raptor stickers on its flanks, tweaks to the tailgate and pronounced twin exhaust outlets. 

Following the debut of Ford’s original desert-duelling Raptor model in 2010 – based on the full-size F-150 pick-up – the first Ranger Raptor hit the scene in 2018 and in 2022 the rock-crushing Bronco Raptor took the Raptor family to three vehicles. 

The F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor aren’t sold in Australia, but the recent reveal of the first hard-core ‘race ready’ Bronco provides clues as to what will power the new Ranger Raptor, given they share the same ladder platform architecture. 

Previously, it was thought the new Ranger Raptor would get a potent 2.7-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 delivering around 240kW, to replace the outgoing model’s 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre biturbo diesel. 

However, our sources insist the new Ranger Raptor will inherit the bigger, burlier 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that made its Ford debut in the US-market Explorer ST (298kW/563Nm) and in the Bronco Raptor is claimed to deliver ‘at least’ 298kW. 

Either way, the current Ranger Raptor’s four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is also available across the existing Ranger line-up, is about to be blown out of the water by a far more powerful bespoke turbo-petrol V6 for the first time, although it will continue with a 10-speed automatic transmssion. 

Together with significant chassis upgrades, including a higher ride height once again via a long-travel all-coil suspension set-up with Watts Link rear-end and nitrogen-filled Fox dampers, the new 4x4 Ford Ranger could set a very high benchmark in the one-tonne tough-truck segment. 

Of course, the new Ranger Raptor, which is expected on sale by the end of this year, will also bring all of the new Ranger’s tech advances, including an all-new chassis, advanced infotainment and safety systems, the option of a beefy 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and almost 600 accessories. 

But given all these modifications and technologies, the new Ranger Raptor could also set a new price benchmark for mid-size utes in Australia, where the current Raptor X is priced at $79,390 plus on-road costs. 

However, given more Aussies are spending ever-closer to six figures on premium pick-up trucks like the popular RAM 1500 (from $79,950) and the hot-selling VW Amarok W580S ($79,990), price hikes are unlikely to dent customer demand for the new Ranger Raptor. 

Stay tuned for the official Ford Ranger Raptor reveal and all the details soon. 

Digital images: Nikita Chucko