Strange and annoying – that’s how fans are feeling about the Ranger Raptor being available in some markets, but not in the US. But, Ford is still weighing things and the company will pick the perfect moment to launch the 4×4 truck. The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor is an open possibility, but we still don’t know if it is coming to the US. If you are from Australia or Europe, then you will see the new model. The major difference between these configurations and the US pickup will be under the hood. A turbodiesel is an option, but not so likely to happen. Instead, engineers could go after a 2.7-liter turbo V6 available for some other big rigs where the same 2.3-liter turbo-four is the base powerplant.
Ranger was not available in the US market for seven seasons. In 2018, the company decided to bring back a mid-size pickup, since this market showed signs of recovery. Recently, SUVs nearly killed small trucks with their versatility. However, specialized haulers survived and now it seems to be one of the hottest classes in the US. Not only Ford but also Jeep decided to enter the game again. The competition is tough and the leaders are still Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. Nevertheless, the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor might help the entire lineup catch up in sales with best-sellers in the mid-size tier.
2022 Ford Ranger Raptor Engines
Ford is using a lot of turbocharged units of smaller size to drop weight and improve gas mileage. So, seeing the Ranger with a 2.3-liter turbo-four, delivering 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque was not a surprise. Well, even the legendary Mustang is using this powerplant. Fans immediately asked about additional options and a few solutions were mentioned.
Turbocharged V6
First, experts found the V6 as the most suitable unit. Well, most other trucks in this segment are using six-cylinder units. But, since a turbo-four is pretty capable, a V6 would only harm a good fuel economy. So, this kind of engine would be there for high-end versions, such as the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor. A 2.7-liter displacement is also available on the Explorer ST and creates 400 horsepower. The F-150 Raptor makes 450 ponies, and a smaller Ranger cannot beat it. Unless Ford drops a 3.5-liter V6 and replaces it with a mighty V8. Raptor R is the latest upgrade with 760 hp that will get on the line to Ram Rebel TRX Hellcat.
Diesel and Hybrid
Other options included a diesel and a hybrid setup. For now, an oil-burner is not an option for the US market. Hybrid is a far-fetched story for the truck segment. On the other hand, Explorer PHEV is combining a V6 with an electric battery for nearly 500 hp. Slightly downtuned, it might be a revolutionary option for the Ranger Raptor.
2022 Ford Ranger Raptor Release Date
Definitely, the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor is a hot topic. But, the company is not bragging about the new truck. So, it is hard to say if the off-road pickup is coming as the 2022 YM. Nevertheless, the upgrade of the lineup is required to stay in touch with Toyota and GM.