Ford confirms V8 Ranger Raptor rumours

Ford Australia has confirmed the much-hyped V8 Ranger Raptor ute project has been discussed internally but has not been signed off for production.

It has also confirmed pitches from third-party engineering firms to partner in a local right-hand drive program for the F150 pick-up, but nothing had been approved.

Ford Australia president Kay Hart told carsales.com.au that recent media reports speculating about the Raptor V8’s existence had also prompted substantial public enquiry.

The V8 proposal is understood to be a joint-venture with independent engineering and design house Premcar.

Of the Ranger Raptor V8, Hart said it had been “absolutely discussed”.

“There are now customers ringing saying ‘I want that, I want that’. There have been discussion about ‘could I put a V8 in a Raptor?’ for a long time, even back at launch.

“Sure we talk about it.

“I am not going to talk about the chances of it happening … because I have nothing to confirm.

“There are discussions happening on a number of projects. There are Raptor, Wildtrak and XLT discussions, in terms of the Rangers we could look at how we could bring different products to market."

Industry speculation has it that Ford modifier Tickford recently pitched the right-hand drive F150 plan to Ford.

The idea has merit considering how well the ASV RAM and HSV Silverado local conversion programs – both performed by Walkinshaw Group – have performed.

Separately, Premcar has been linked with a right-hand drive program for the Nissan Titan full-size pick-up.

“Right now there are no plans for a right-hand drive F150,” Hart said. “We continue to look at what the market is and the great work the Walkinshaw team have done in terms of bringing in and converting (RAM and Chevrolet) vehicles.

“Does that bring opportunities? Maybe. It’s not something we are looking at right now.”

Asked if Tickford had pitched a right-hand drive program and Ford had knocked it back, Hart said “no”, before adding:

“We have had multiple people and partners come to us.”

Ford already has a partnership with Herrod Performance to build 500 Mustang R-Spec, has a long-standing relationship with Premcar and is also rebuilding its relationship with Tickford.

“There are great partners here in Australia we can work with to bring vehicles like this (R-Spec) to life.

“There are a large number of projects we are at the think phase of, we are thinking about what the customer proposition may be.”

Hart said none of the projects being considered had been approved.