Back in February of last year, Ford Authority spies spotted a prototype of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor (then known as the Ford Bronco Warthog) as it was testing alongside a next-generation 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor prototype. Now, nearly one year later and following the reveal of the international market next-generation Ford Ranger, Ford Authority spies have once again spotted a Bronco Raptor prototype testing alongside a 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor – but this time, both vehicles are wearing far less camouflage than before.
Before we go forth, we should note that the Ranger Raptor prototype seen here is U.S.- spec. We have it on good authority that the international-market Ranger Raptor will be slightly different than the model seen here.
This light, body-hugging camo – which features the “Ranger” script within the dark circles – reveals several new features about the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor that weren’t visible before.
At the front, we see the unique grille, which will feature “FORD” lettering that, curiously, is not seen on this prototype. There’s also a set of fog lights in the bottom of the front bumper, along with a license plate cutout and a large front skid plate.
The front three quarter angle also reveals a set of camera lenses at the bottom of the side mirrors for 360-degree camera view functionality.
At the side, we see a set of black wheels with BF Goodrich tires that look essentially identical to the ones present on the previously-spied prototype. This Ranger Raptor prototype is also sporting a set of high-clearance running boards, much like its running mate, the high performance Ford Bronco variant. The roof features a single antenna at the tail end of the cab.
The rear end shows a center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) located at the top end of the tailgate, just above the tailgate release handle. There’s also a high-clearance rear bumper, along with a complete dual exhaust treatment.
A dominant stance natural to Ford Raptor models is present and accounted for, with the wheels pushed out to the sides for a wider track, along with a healthy amount of clearance within the Ranger Raptor’s wheel wells.
As Ford Authority was the first to report, the 2023 Ranger Raptor as well as the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor will both be powered by Ford’s 3.0L EcoBoost V6 – which is currently used in the Ford Explorer ST and Lincoln Aviator, where it’s rated at 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both the Ranger Raptor and Bronco Raptor will be equipped with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
The next-generation international market Ford Ranger family was just revealed back in November (in non-Raptor form) but has yet to be unveiled for the North American market. That model was announced with a choice of two vertical Sync 4 touchscreens and will be the first of an eight-year production run, as Ford Authority reported back in October. Meanwhile, the 2023 Ranger Raptor will be revealed at a later date, sometime in the second quarter of 2022, with a staggered launch, depending on market. As Ford Authority reported last September, 2023 Ranger production for the U.S. is scheduled to begin in May of 2023. The 2022 Bronco Raptor, meanwhile, is set to be fully unveiled in Q1 2022, with a launch planned for this summer.
The Bronco, Bronco Raptor, as well as the next-gen Ranger and Ranger Raptor all share the evolved Ford T6 platform, and will be produced at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant (for the North American market). The Ford Pacheco plant in Argentina will produce the Ranger family for South America, while the AutoAlliance plant in Thailand will assemble the Ranger for all other markets.
We’ll have much more on the 2023 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
More power! Turbocharged V8 Diesel Bronco!
Looking a t the CHMSL, how would it be visible with the tailgate down or removed? If it wraps over the top edge of the tailgate, it would be susceptible th damage from cargo resting on it.
What about the Ford plant in South Africa? I thought it supplied Rangers to the European market, among others, and would also be building the VW Amarok?
The Ranger’s tires don’t look that much smaller than the Bronco’s. Does it run on 35s? Because that means that this truck has the same tire size as the F150 Raptor, and also leaves room for a potential Expedition Raptor on 35s/37s slotting above the Timberline. A full Raptor body-on-frame lineup, if you will.
I hope that becomes a thing. It would be funny to see a huge family hauler SUV ripping through dunes and climbing mountains on any given Sunday. C’mon Jim, make it happen.