Is this the Ford Ranger Raptor 2023? Renders preview toughest-ever Ranger packing petrol V6 power

John Law

Contributor

A tough exterior treatment with flared arches, blacked-out grille and raised ride are just some features we can expect from the next-gen Ranger Raptor

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has been imagined with all the kit you would expect from Ford’s Australian-developed super-ute ahead of its official debut next month.

The render by Kolesa.Ru carries all the hallmarks we expect from a Raptor treatment including the loud orange paintwork, spaced-out black Ford lettering in the grille, flared arches and lifted suspension.

Ahead of the Raptor, the regular Ranger lineup is poised to launch in Australia in the middle of this year with updated underpinnings, 50mm extra length and an optional twin-turbo diesel V6 engine.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 render front 3:4 — This render by *Kolesa.Ru* shows what the next Raptor could look like

Last week, Ford announced the Bronco Raptor for the American market complete with a twin-turbo petrol V6 and ten-speed torque converter transmission.

Platform-sharing partner Volkswagen showed a similar concept sketch of its next-gen Amarok – which is based on the new T6.2 Ranger chassis – sliding through the snow wearing an aggressive bodykit and recovery points.

While Chasing Cars understands the Ranger – which shares underpinnings with the Bronco 4WD – will offer the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V6, there have been strong indications that in Raptor form, it will run a twin-turbo ‘Ecoboost’ petrol V6 engine shared with the six-cylinder Bronco.

What makes a Ford Ranger a Raptor?

The current-gen Raptor ($79,930 before on-road costs) is a Ranger ute underneath, though there are significant changes under the skin including a reinforced frame, 150mm wider track front and rear, and 51mm ride lift.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 render rear 3:4 — These renders are based on spy shots of the forthcoming Raptor testing and look pretty convincing

This is achieved with progressive Fox Racing dampers, rear coil springs and revised front control arms that alter the geometry to work with the suspension lift.

Notably, Kolesa.Ru’s Raptor render doesn’t include the rear step featured on the regular Ranger ute, and that has been confirmed in spy shots of the Raptor in-testing on Thai roads. This is likely to further improve the departure angle of the next-gen super-ute.

This is a similar treatment to the Bronco Raptor, though that car also gets reinforced axles, 37-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, while its track increases by 218mm and ride height 121mm making it even more extreme – a direction we could see for the Ranger Raptor.

Additionally, the current Raptor uses the same 157kW/500Nm twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder powerplant that is available across the ute range.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 rear — Spied testing in Thailand and Australia, the new Raptor isn’t far away from its release

The Bronco Raptor instead uses a 298kW twin-turbo petrol V6. It seems likely that engine will be available in Ranger Raptor models globally, though whether it will take the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6’s place in Australia remains to be confirmed.

How much will the Ranger Raptor cost?

Sitting above the narrow-body Ranger Wildtrak, the Ranger Raptor is truly the flagship of the lineup. With the next-gen super-ute likely to have at least the option of a turbo V6 petrol engine, it will probably become dearer to purchase.

The current Raptor X is priced from $79,390 before on-road costs, we expect the new vehicle to start over $85,000.

As for when it will arrive, the Raptor is set to be unveiled in February 2022 with full confirmation on pricing and spec for Ford’s next-gen super-ute to follow.