Not quite a month ago, we brought you spy photos of a heavily camouflaged, clearly brawnier variant of Ford’s overseas Ranger. So angry was an Australian engineer along for the ride that he challenged the photographer to a fight.
Now, thanks to Ford’s Australian and South African divisions, we can see what the engineer (and some suspect underbody netting) was attempting to hide: a Ford Ranger Raptor.
You’ll recall that Ford plans to bring the Ranger to American buyers — and production to Michigan — for the 2019 model year. It now looks like the off-road-ready Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will soon have a Blue Oval rival, as overseas customers receive the Ranger Raptor for the 2018 model year.
Unfortunately for fans of vehicles originating from Dearborn drawing boards, Ford’s video tells us very little about the actual product, besides its obvious ability to conquer the outback with dirt-throwing aplomb. However, the Ranger Raptor’s previously camouflaged suspension takes center stage in this tease.
The Ranger Raptor’s beefy front suspension setup differs greatly from a stock T6 Ranger, now looking more like that of its bigger brother, the F-150 Raptor. The shock mounts move further outboard, closer to the spindle, providing for longer suspension travel. As well, the lower control arm appears to be of cast aluminum construction, rather than the T6’s stamped steel.
While there’s no word on whether the smaller Raptor also sources its suspension components from FOX, the relationship exists to make it happen.
For now, Ford isn’t saying if or when North American customers will have an opportunity to purchase a Ranger Raptor. This one’s destined for the Asia-Pacific region. However, given the existence of competition within the domestic midsize pickup market, it’s hard to image Ford saying “no” to the variant once production starts up at the automaker’s Michigan Assembly Plant.
Should it get the green light, Ford has no shortage of brawny engines lined up for potential use. A possible powerplant exists in the company’s 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6, newly upgraded for 2018.
[Image capture: Ford Australia/YouTube]
The new Ranger/Bronco is going to be epic but I’m getting tired of waiting already.
There’s a rumour GMH have a LS3 Colorado running around Australia.
I wonder if this trend will bring an AMG X Class, with a twin turbo V8?
While I’m happy to hear there’s an LS3 Colorado running around, I highly doubt it’s GMs doing. GM stopped mass producing the LS3 in Mexico and brought production back to America at the end of 2016. After the Commodore is done in a month or so, the LS series will exist only in work trucks that are exempt from fuel economy standards.
Australia does not have FE standards.
The Explorer Sporttrac was introduced in February 2000 as a 2001 model. With any luck, the 2019 Ranger can debut in Feb of ’18. We are planning to add a truck in Q12018 and though Toyotas have treated me well, I would like to give the Ranger a go.
Seeing how the Raptor has been an unbridled success for Ford for six model years, a Ranger Raptor version is a no brainer.
Agreed. A Raptor Ranger would be a no-brainer. I’d consider a Raptorized Ranger well before a F150 Raptor since most of the places I go are just barely wide enough for a regular pickup.
Just read an article in drive.com.au.
It seems likely the Aussie version will come with the Raptors 3.5 and a 10spd auto.
Looks promising.
Man, that thing’s gonna fly..
It appears to have:
1. Too many doors
-or-
2. Effective camo to make it appear like it has too many doors.
I wonder if they’ll upgrade the transmission to a manual? I won’t hold my breath.
Wonder how much dealer markup this new Ranger Raptor will be? $10K more since it is smaller then the F-150 Raptor that got $15K markup over MSRP!
This thing needs to be no more than $40k MSRP. Please?
What does a TRD Pro Tacoma cost, how about a Z71 Canyon/Colorado?
Pricing should be not too far above those to have success.
They both start around $42k, which is why I think it’d be good to be priced a bit under. But Ford being Ford, it’ll probably be on the premium side (and price) of those two trucks.