The 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor is coming. This truck is already available in Australia, Europe… But, the US version is still a mystery. When it will be available? What kind of a drivetrain it is going to use? What other upgrades the Raptor package will bring?
We don’t have too many answers to these questions. Most of them are speculations. However, some of them are based on the official details heard in the last 12 months. First, Ford confirmed that other engines will be available on the new Ranger. Also, the Raptor model is something the Blue Oval company needs to compete in the off-road segment. Finally, this is a stuff of prestige. Ford is a dominant player in the truck segment, but it has to prove it in the mid-size segment, where it wasn’t present for a while.
2021 Ford Ranger Raptor Diesel
The Euro-spec truck is getting the Raptor treatment. Under the bonnet of the Ranger in this part of the world is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel unit capable to produce 213 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. This one is good enough to get on the line to the Chevy Colorado diesel and match its performances. What’s more, the Blue Oval company mates the diesel unit to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. The truck returns around 27 mpg.
V6 Engine
Shortly after the company introduced the new Ranger for the US market, enthusiasts knew a turbo-four engine is not going to be the only drivetrain. Well, other trucks are using four-cylinder units. But, they also add a V6 option. And buyers like them more, although the price is higher. So, everyone started asking – when is the V6 coming?
And the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor V6 is the answer. Having in mind that US and European emission standard are different, these can block a diesel unit from coming to the US. The Baby Raptor could turn then to the V6 petrol drivetrain. In this case, we would look for special upgrades for suspension and shocks, making the Ranger more capable for an off-road drive. We still don’t know what kind of an engine could lay under the bonnet, but do not expect a twin-turbo system.
2021 Ford Ranger Raptor Competition
Ranger is a new player in the market. However, it started the flame and the mid-size pickup segment is currently the hottest one. However, not all the companies are after the off-road oriented models. The battle for the No1 place in this class was fought between the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro models. Nissan Frontier Pro-4X couldn’t catch up with others.
We don’t believe it will manage to be a serious competitor to the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor. With extra space under the body, skid plates, all-terrain tires, unique suspension setup, the new truck will definitely challenge the main models in this class. But, we must be beware of changes by other companies. Toyota wrote off chances for the Tundra diesel, but the smaller truck could get this kind of a drivetrain. Also, we found rumors about the new generation of Colorado, sooner than everyone expected.