Caradvice just spied Ford’s craziest and most powerful Ranger yet, the Ford Ranger Raptor. Ford is working on a powerful, off-road-focused Ranger with an overhauled the ride and handling setup, expected to be released in 2019.

So far, all Australian-specification Rangers have sported front-end camouflage with the rear remaining unwrapped. And, all US-specification Rangers have been spied wearing front to rear camouflage and all being left-hand drive.


The vehicle spied here is right-hand drive and features a host of goodies that we expect will make it to the final version, when it’s launched locally in 2019. A switch to a coil-sprung rear end will reduce the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity and is likely to reduce towing capacity, but buyers of this vehicle are unlikely to care.

Under the bonnet will be an engine with mumbo. Our photographer said it sounded very similar to an EcoBoost V6 F-150 – and that makes sense, given Ford has recently updated this engine for the F-150 Raptor to pump out 457 Hp of power and 690 Nm of torque. The big F-150 uses the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 mated to a co-developed gearbox with GM, a 10-speed automatic.


It was announced earlier this year that the US-market Ford Ranger will sit on the T6 platform developed by Ford Asia Pacific. The platform will be modified to support the US Ranger, plus the Bronco.