Rumors that the next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor would be coming to North America have swirled for years now, ever since it was denied the current-gen model when the Ford Ranger returned for the 2019 model year. These rumors intensified earlier this year when Ford Authority spied a right-hand-drive 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor prototype driving around Dearborn, Michigan, after which we got a look at its rear coil spring suspension. Shortly after that, Ford Authority spotted a left-hand-drive 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor prototype out driving around, and now, our spies have caught another prototype on film in the Metro Detroit area with one very noticeable difference.
That difference is a set of new sail panels located behind the cab, which were not present on any 2023 Ranger Raptor prototype seen to date. These sail panels are similar to the ones used on the brand new European Ranger Raptor Special Edition that was revealed back in May.
Otherwise, this 2023 Ranger Raptor prototype is very similar to the ones we’ve seen thus far. That means sharper, more aggressive lines than the current-gen Ford Ranger, which is more in line with the design language used on the new 2022 Ford Maverick, Ford F-150, and Ford Super Duty line of pickups.
Other notable features include the pickup’s distinctive wheels – a Raptor staple – and aggressive all-terrain tires, along with a lifted suspension when compared to the regular Ranger.
The 2023 Ranger Raptor will debut alongside the next-gen Ranger, also due in the 2023 model year. As Ford Authority exclusively reported in May, the next-gen Ranger Raptor will be powered by Ford’s 3.0L EcoBoost V6, which will be mated exclusively to FoMoCo’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
Currently used in the Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer, the most powerful variant of the engine can be found in the Explorer ST, where it makes 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.
The next-gen Ranger will continue to ride on Ford’s T6 platform, albeit with some modifications. The Ranger Raptor will also continue to feature a bespoke suspension with Fox shocks and a coil spring rear setup, giving it serious off-road capability. The 2023 Ranger should go on sale in late 2022.
We’ll have more on the next-gen Ranger Raptor very soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Ranger news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Lest we forget….. the tail lights on this prototype look spot on to those on the leaked picture from a couple years ago….
Those images leaked in February 2019 were of a P703 program 1:1 styling mockup, since P703 was barely at final design approval back then. No physical prototypes even existed.
Comparatively, the new Bronco (U725) achieved that same design stage internally in July of 2018 and new F-150 (P702) on November 17, 2017. Both remained hidden until closer to launch and were launched in December 2020 and June 2021 respectively.
One of the worst Ford leaks ever, in terms of early exposure. GM got a very nice advance preview for the next Colorado and Canyon (31XX-2), as did Toyota for their 2024 Tacoma (920B).
It has forever changed how things go at Ford. A lot of people unwisely had the belief that it wasn’t the final design, but typically that is how far out prod. styling is finalized. That was it more or less.
My guess is that North America will get the future Bronco pickup while everyone else gets this. The Bronco pickup would be less likely to pirate sales from the F-150 Raptor.
This truck affectation that FORD has adopted is really starting to get a bit boring. With no cars on offer and no sports sedans, the same old will be what everybody else is making and selling. New is nice but FORD desperately needs to step up quality to match pricing and become the leader it used to be. The accountants in the world will kill this company if it continues on the current trajectory. My next car will likely be an Acura TLX Type s to replace a twin turbo MKZ… sad to leave the fold but I have no choice.
The real problem for Ford and the other “domestics” is not that they don’t want to build and sell cars, it’s that they can’t make a profit doing so. The foreign competition has too many advantages not the least of which is non-union labor.
Whaaa? Trucks are VERY profitable for Ford, GM, etc. Why do you think Ford has put such a focus on trucks? (Besides the fact that American buyers prefer them).
Unions have had to become much more competitive w non-union due to the proliferation of RTW states… Ford and the others do have the overhang of their traditional pensions but as Boomers retire and pass on this will ease..