Ford Ranger Raptor Introduction
Ford fans and hardcore off-road enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the 2023 Ranger Raptor. Ford will launch the new Ranger Raptor in the American market for the first time in 2023. It is essentially a scaled-down version of the thrilling and high-flying F-150 Raptor. The new off-road-capable Ranger Raptor will have the same tough tires, flared fenders, additional ground clearance, and distinctive grille as its big brother.
Like its stablemate, the Bronco Raptor, the Ford Ranger Raptor will be a powerhouse with exceptional and impressive features for off-road performance that is sure to impress. Since the introduction of the F-150 SVT Raptor, Ford has used the Raptor moniker for high-performance pickup trucks and utility vehicles.
Ford enthusiasts and off-roading die-hards anticipate this new midsize truck won’t disappoint, given its powerful drivetrain and aggressive off-roading abilities. You can expect that the 2023 Ford Raptor model will be as competitive as its major rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor: The Exterior
The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is based on the 2023 Ford Ranger with Raptor-specific modifications. Ford didn’t intend for it to look completely different. It will come in a crew cab body style with a five-foot cargo box. It looks bigger and more butch, and its exterior appearance matches its robust and rugged performance. The looks are designed to communicate its capabilities precisely. Its front fascia features the distinctive Ranger Raptor grille with the letters F-O-R-D.
C-clamp headlights highlight the vehicle’s width, and a separate bumper increases overall size. The matrix LED headlights with LED daytime running lights boast predictive curve lights, auto dynamic leveling, and glare-free high beam. LED taillights mirror the front design from the rear.
The visual is enhanced by substantial Raptor badging, dual exhaust pipes, and a Precision Grey rear bumper with an integrated step pad and a tow bar. There are two twin-rated tow hooks at the rear and front for flexible recovery options.
It boasts large 17-inch alloy wheels with flared wheel arches covered in 33-inch all-terrain performance tires designed specifically for the Raptor. The 2023 Ranger Raptor is 1.5 inches shorter than the previous-generation vehicle, but it has a 1.9-inch-longer wheelbase, which is also consistent with non-Rapture Ranger models.
The new Ford Ranger Raptor is 75 pounds lighter than the older model, despite both pickups boasting the same width and height; the wheelbase is 126.8 inches long and ground clearance of 11.1 inches. The front and rear overhangs are 35.7 and 50 inches long, while the front and back tracks are 67.3 inches broad.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor: Interior, Comfort, and Technology
The crew cab includes ambient lighting, and Ford has included sports seats designed after fighter jets to keep you seated well on the steering wheel in tight cornering or off the beaten path. All interior surfaces have been painted in the distinctive Ford Performance Code Orange color. The instrument panel, trim, and seats are highlighted the vivid orange accents, which are matched by ambient lighting. The heated leather steering wheel has cast magnesium paddle shifters for a sporty touch.
Although the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is tough, it has plenty of the latest technology. It has a 12-inch center touch screen and 12.4-inch digital instrument panel featuring the latest Ford SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a 10-speaker in the Bang & Olufsen audio system. The standard and optional features include remote start, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, etc.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor: Engine Transmission and Performance
The older Ranger Raptor model was not sold in America partly because it had a diesel engine. It has a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBlue diesel engine that makes 211 hp and 369 lb.-ft of torque. Ford will retain this 2022 Ranger Raptor engine. However, it is not clear whether Ford will offer it to the North American market.
The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor will feature an all-new twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 gas engine. The European version is expected to churn out 284 hp and 362 lb.-ft of torque, while the Australian model will deliver 392 hp and a torque of 430 lb.-ft. This is considerably less than the Explorer ST’s 400 hp and 415 lb.-ft of torque. The output details of the American version are not yet clear.
The new engine boasts a race-bred anti-lag system and a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block. The compacted graphite iron is around 75% stronger and stiffer than the iron used in traditional castings. The new anti-Lag System can keep the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver eases on the gas.
The anti-Lag system is available in Baja mode and can be helpful in high-speed cornering when you have eased off on the A-pedal for a second or two before accelerating again. It maintains the turbo active for up to three seconds instead of waiting for the turbo to spool again.
The engines will be paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission with aluminum paddle shifters. For optimized performance, the new engine is additionally tuned with an individual turbocharging boost profile for each sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission system.
The new four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine returns 30.9 MPG, while the 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel version gives 32.6-34 MPG. Ford is likely to only offer the new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 with an estimated fuel economy of 28 MPG in the American market.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor: Platform, Suspension, and Off-Roading Capabilities
The new Ford Ranger Raptor uses a new platform, and the Ford engineers completely redesigned the suspension. Ford reinforced the chassis to withstand any abuse the vehicle would have to endure.
It has special mounts and reinforcements to tackle challenging off-road terrains, such as deep sand and thick mud. So, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has components, such as the C-pillar, shock tower, load box, spare wheel, special frames for the jounce bumper, and rear shock bracket, which allow it to drive anywhere.
The suspension features new lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms. An improved Watt’s link rear end and long travel front and rear suspension will provide more control over rough terrain at high speeds. The system also includes brand-new FOX Live Valve dampers and 2.5-inch FOX Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers with position-sensitive damping capability.
While effortlessly absorbing the dips, depressions, and potholes you could run into while off-roading, the suspension adjusts in real-time to provide superb on-road body control. The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor also incorporates Fox Bottom-Out Control to prevent the truck from bottoming out. The same setup offers the maximum damping force in the final 25% of the shock travel. The system can also stiffen the rear dampers to prevent the truck from squatting during rapid acceleration.
The new Ford Ranger Raptor truck has a sophisticated full-time four-wheel drive system, a new electronically controlled, on-demand two-speed transfer case, and locking front and rear differentials. So, the new Ford Ranger Raptor offers ardent off-roaders front and rear locking differentials. At the same time, its competitors like the Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 only have rear locking differentials.
The new midsize pickup truck also uses an electronically controlled active exhaust system to provide the preferred engine sound or note. It has four selectable modes, i.e., Normal, Quiet, Sport, and Baja. The Baja mode is only meant for off-road use and has the exhaust behaving more like a straight-through system.
The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor boasts seven selectable drive modes, including three on-road and four off-road modes. Each mode modifies various aspects of the engine, throttle response, transmission, steering, exhaust valve actuation, ABS sensitivity and calibration, and traction and stability systems. The modes include Normal, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, Slippery, Sand, Sport, and Baja.
The new Ford Ranger Raptor offers plenty of armor to protect key components from underbody strikes. It has a front bash plate that is almost double the size of the one on the Ford Ranger. An engine under-shield and a transfer case shield guard the radiator, front differential, front cross member, steering system, and engine sump.
Moreover, like Bronco Raptor, the new Ford Ranger Raptor has Trail Control. It functions much like cruise control for off-road vehicles and has a low-speed setting of 20 mph.
Artistic Performance
Ford Performance developed and programmed the new Ford Ranger Raptor, which uses FOX hardware, utilizing computer-aided engineering and real-world testing. It helped to discover the optimal combination of comfort, control, stability, and traction for everyday driving and off-roading adventure. With its connection to the selectable drive modes, the Live Valve internal bypass system improves on- and off-road ride quality at high and low speeds.
The system works with the drive modes and quietly gets the midsize pickup truck ready for various driving situations. Different zones in the bypass system provide exactly the amount of prop-up required for the travel being used as the shocks compress, and they reverse their actions as the shocks rebound to their full height.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor: Price and Release Date
The new Ford Ranger Raptor will be coming to America in 2023. The starting price is expected to be around $40,000.
