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Newly designed Ford Ranger coming next year and will include a high-performance Ranger Raptor variant for the first time, at least in the US.
Both the new Ranger and Ranger Raptor have already been launched in global markets. One of those markets is Australia, where Ford’s local division has built an extra-rugged Ranger Raptor to tackle the 2022 Baja 1000, which is scheduled to start on November 18.
Ford teamed up with racing outfits Kelly Racing and Lovell Racing to develop the truck, with the latter, led by talented off-roader Brad Lovell, also fielding the truck in Baja.
Modifications include a 3.0-inch lift kit, extended wheel arches, and Method Racing wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. The engine is the Ranger Raptor’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, which maxes out at 392 hp when stock. Ford hasn’t said whether the Baja 1000’s engine has been upgraded, but to highlight the automaker’s sustainability efforts, the truck uses low-carbon fuel sourced from Shell. The fuel contains a 30% renewable energy mixture, in this case a mixture of ethanol and biodiesel.
Ford brought specially prepared versions of the F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor to the Baja 1000 before those vehicles were introduced, so it’s no surprise the automaker is doing the same with the Ranger Raptor. The event has become a sort of final test for the automaker’s desert racers.
“The Baja 1000 is a demanding event and a well-known test for off-road vehicles,” said Brian Novak, director of off-road motor sports at Ford Performance, in a statement. “Entering this event, we are building on hundreds of thousands of kilometers of development testing and pushing the Ranger Raptor to new extremes.”
The redesigned Ranger is expected for the 2024 U.S. model year. It’s based on the same updated T6 platform that debuted in the Bronco, and North American versions will be built at the same Michigan plant that builds the Bronco and the current-generation Ranger. .
The Raptor version has more power, off-road suspension, all-terrain wheels and tires, and full-time four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case and differential locks front and rear.
This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.
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