Just yesterday, we spied a 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor prototype out testing alongside a Ford Bronco Warthog prototype. Though we’ve seen current-gen Ranger Raptors in the U.S. before, this was the first time we’ve seen a next-gen model testing. Now, we’ve spotted the same 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor prototype testing again, but noticed something very strange about it this time around.
The right-hand-drive prototype is wearing “street sweeper” camouflage near the rear differential, which conceals a good portion of the rear suspension. We saw something similar used on the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor prototypes, only to later learn that it was being used to hide the fact that the truck was utilizing a new rear coil spring suspension in place of traditional leaf springs.
So it’s worth asking – is that the case with this Ranger Raptor prototype? It’s quite possible that Ford would equip the next-gen Ranger Raptor with the same sort of suspension setup as its big brother (and its predecessor), especially since the two already share things like Fox shocks and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires, except for the South African model. The current-gen Ranger Raptor on sale in other countries, which launched for the 2019 model year, features a coilover rear suspension arrangement that features an integrated Watt’s linkage.
The next-gen Ranger is expected to launch in 2022 for the 2023 model year, and will reportedly continue to ride on the Ford T6 platform, like the current model and the 2021 Ford Bronco, albeit with some modifications.
Previous rumors suggested that the next-gen Ranger Raptor bound for the U.S. will be powered by Ford’s 2.7L EcoBoost V6, which will be mated to FoMoCo’s 10-speed automatic transmission. The real question is, what sort of rear suspension is hiding in this prototype? Let us know what you think in the poll below!
We’ll have more on the next-gen Ranger Raptor as soon as it’s available, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Ranger news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
For the poor let Ford make a small car so we can have a new car in the United States of America. Having all this suv costing lots of more being back the small cars for the people that don’t make a lot of money.
For the poor let Ford make a small car so we can have a new car in the of Usa.
Having all this suv costing lots of more being back the small cars for the people that don’t make a lot of money.
My 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac which is the mold they used for the New Ranger has coil spring rear suspension and why not. The styling of the 2010 Sport Trac knocks the socks off the New Ranger. It was a crying shame they dropped the Sport Trac in 2010, it was ahead of its’ time throughout the deign.
The Ranger Raptor has always had a coil spring rear end since its inception, the camo may be hiding something else. In Australia and all other markets apart from the USA the standard Rangers come with coils up front and leaf springs in the rear whilst the Raptor and the Everest (Wagon version) come with coils all round. The Raptor is different again in that it has its own unique chassis and suspension parts.
It’s a right hand drive so it’s most likely a Australian Raptor which has had coil suspension since it’s inception
Coil springs work much better for cornering than leaf springs. Apparently Ford wants these bad boys to do more than run bad fast in a straight line. Good move.