Ford Ranger ‘Raptor-lite’ diesel possible

The space previously owned by the world’s most capable diesel dual-cab ute, the first-generation Ford Ranger Raptor, could soon be filled.

By Ford.

But it’s unlikely to be called a Raptor.

The company that pioneered the super-ute concept with the Aussie-developed Ford Ranger Raptor is conscious the decision to plonk a circa-300kW twin-turbo petrol V6 under the bonnet of the second generation won’t suit everyone.

And the decision to pump up the power and add Fox Shox adaptive dampers – along with a heap more tech – to the new Raptor will undoubtedly drive the price up, perhaps beyond $90,000 or even higher.

As much as many people may desire this apex predator that truly reflects the Ford Performance and Raptor brands, the price may be too high even by the inflated standards of top-end dual-cab utes.

On top of that, while sheer off-road capability is up, the range between refuels is significantly downgraded – potentially to as little as 500km – meaning the long Outback trips the old 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Raptor suited perfectly don’t fit so well now.

But hints from Ford including some new trademark registrations and past history indicate the company isn’t about to turn its back on market leadership in the performance ute market.

Sending the Raptor upmarket simply opens space for a potent turbo-diesel Ranger – maybe more than one.

It would be the smart thing to do rather than just hand the market over to the likes of the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and the Toyota HiLux Rugged X.

So far the new Ranger dual-cab has been revealed only in premium Wildtrak plus XLT, XLS, Sport and, in extra-cab form, base XL guises.

When it goes on sale around mid-year, it will be available with both the existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder Panther turbo-diesel and the 3.0-litre V6 Lion turbo-diesel, which should boast around 190kW and 600Nm in premium grades. 

Either would lend themselves to a more capable Ranger variant, potentially using passive Fox Shox as per the first-generation Raptor rather than the more expensive adaptive units of the second.

It’s a concept familiar from the current Ranger in the FX4 Max.

Intriguingly, as we’ve reported here, Ford has also trademarked the Wolftrak and Tremor names in Australia. The Tremor is the Ranger FX4 Max’s equivalent in the USA.

And don’t forget, the Raptor 2.0-litre still exists in the second-generation line-up; there’s just no plan for it to be sold in Australia.

Stay tuned for more news when the new Ranger launches around mid-year, before the new Raptor joins it on sale in the third quarter. Maybe there will be some announcements about new models around then.

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