2018 Ford Ranger Raptor revealed

No, the Ford Ranger Raptor will not be powered by a turbocharged V6.

Instead, Ford has decided to take the diesel path, employing a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel to put 157kW and 500Nm through the Raptor’s powertrain, passing through a 10-speed automatic on the way.

As a side-note, pricing and availability for the Ranger Raptor have yet to be announced.

Though its 500Nm means it won’t be slow by most standards, the Raptor has been designed with off-roading speed rather than power in mind.

Chief program engineer for the Ranger Raptor Damien Ross says the Raptor’s strength lies in tackling off-road terrain quickly, thanks to its unique chassis and suspension.

“The standout experience of the Ranger Raptor, hands down, is how far you can push it off-road versus any other available production road vehicle in our markets, and still ride like a millionaire on-road.

“Everything about the Ranger Raptor builds on the already outstanding sophisticated feel and functional capability of the Ranger, and then goes further. From a driving dynamic fun standpoint, it is really an exceptionally special vehicle.”

A Watt’s link setup with solid rear axle found at the rear is designed to “provide superior lateral control off-road,” allowing the Raptor to handle high speeds on rough ground.

Strengthened shock towers at the front allow impacts to be absorbed more efficiently, while the chassis’ shape and design allows larger suspension components to fit without compromising the structural integrity of the Raptor.

Ford says it has specifically had all-terrain BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tyres developed with high-grip tread and strong sidewalls for the Ranger Raptor.

Driving modes allow the Raptor to tackle different off-road situations, though it does also have a Sport Mode for “spirited on-road driving.”

Rock mode, Grass/Gravel/Snow mode, and Mud/Sand modes are all quite self-explanatory, altering gearshifts and torque for maximum traction, but Baja mode is where it gets interesting.

“In this mode, vehicle systems like Traction Control are pared back in terms of intervention to allow spirited off-road driving without fighting the vehicle’s on-board systems.

“Gear selection is optimized for maximum performance, and the mapping will hold gears longer and downshift more aggressively.”

Raptor Ranger Rally, anyone?